Château de Gordes — Attraction in Apt

Gordes is a truly beautiful village, renowned for its stunning setting among lavender fields and its well-preserved medieval castle. It is situated on the southern edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The village is characterized by its narrow cobbled streets, traditional stone houses and charming squares.

One of the main attractions of Gordes is its medieval castle, known as the Château de Gordes. This castle was originally built in the 11th century and has undergone several renovations over the centuries. Today it is an impressive example of medieval architecture. Visitors can explore the castle and its various rooms, including the chapel, the guardroom and the stables, which house a museum showcasing the history and heritage of the region.

Gordes is also famous for its proximity to the lavender fields of Provence. During the summer months, the vibrant purple hues of the lavender in full bloom create a breathtaking sight. The fragrant lavender fields stretch across the hills and valleys surrounding the village, providing a picturesque backdrop for visitors to explore.

In addition to the castle and lavender fields, Gordes has many other attractions and activities for visitors. You can wander through the village's narrow streets lined with art galleries, boutiques and charming cafes. The village also hosts a weekly market where you can find local produce, crafts and regional specialties.

The natural beauty of the area provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities. You can hike or bike in the nearby Luberon Regional Natural Park, which encompasses picturesque landscapes, including vineyards, olive groves, and more...

I stayed in this beautiful village for a few days at an amazing B&B with private parking in early October. Gordes is a little village perched on a hill, like most villages, but the most interesting thing about this village is that all of the buildings have been restored to their original stone surfaces. I don't think there are many building left if any, that are not renovated. As an artist, I found little inspiration for painting because everything looks the same, but for just looking, it is stunning. There is obviously a lot of money in this town judging by the large estates that are protected by walls too tall to peek over. I kept expecting to see Brad Pitt or some other celebrity, but most of the residents leave for the winter. In just a few weeks, Gordes will be a ghost town. The streets are lined with strategic lights helping cars and pedestrians find their way at night. There are several very good restaurants in the center and some really good ones just outside, You need to make a reservation for most of them even in October. I really liked having a cocktail at Le Cercle Republican. This bar is very average in appearance but there is a great view from the patio and the drinks are cheap. The streets are lined with cobble stones and very steep at times. Wear shoes that won't slip and if you have difficulty with your knees, like I do, you might enjoy just visiting the shops that are on the level surface in the center of the village. There aren't that many shops below anyway. Don't forget to take photos just below the city. They provide you with a place to pull over and park for photo ops and selfies. The best photos are taken just when the lights come on and it is...

Gordes is a beautiful village high up in provence. Tips. Visit in early morning in high season before the crowds and it gets too hot. We arrived around 10.00am just as the shops opened on a Monday morning. There are parking places at this time in the morning. We parked a little outside the village at a car park at the top of the hill. When we arrived plenty of places. €6.00 for 4 hours at the car park we used. First 30 mins free. We walked back down the hill to the town. When we arrived back there was a large queue trying to pay for the car park that was full by then. If you are prepared to drive and walk a little further there is another car park a little way up further again. Once in the town, we popped into the patteserie, which had lovely croissants. Walked around the village and had two cappuccinos at L'Ardoise. The coffee was pleasant enough. The service OK not brilliant, others sat down after us but served before us. The girl who finally served us was friendly and nice I'm not sure I would eat there though, too stressful I think. Glad we just had a coffee. The town is definitely worth a look, but as said go...