With Valentine’s Day fast approaching and England’s gloomy weather set to stick around for a while, many Londoners are feeling in the mood for a couple’s getaway this February. Home to the City of Love, France is a top choice for anyone looking for a romantic break – but Paris isn’t the only romantic place you can head to easily from London.
Perched high on the hills of the Monts of Vaucluse, Gordes is an absurdly beautiful medieval village that’s perfect for a long weekend or short break with an extra helping of romance. Not only is Gordes just three and a half hours via London Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted and readily accessible by train – with some February plane tickets currently as low as £19.99 on EasyJet – but it’s also set within the stunningly beautiful Luberon region.
(Image: ArtMarie)
Stretching 600 square kilometres across the South of France, the Luberon is best known for its gorgeous ochre landscapes, vibrant lavender fields and traditional French towns and villages that look as if they’re lost in time. Unsurprisingly, the magical region has been repeatedly named among the best European spots for a romantic weekend.
Gordes, meanwhile, is considered one of the top Luberon destinations to check out thanks to its prime hillstop location, which offers stunning views over the rest of the valley. The pretty village is also frequently bathed in golden light itself, making it perfect for a romantic stroll, sunset drinks or lunch and dinner with a view.
(Image: Getty)
Nor will you need to sacrifice on the food quality, since Gordes has tons of great restaurants offering a mix of fine dining and local cuisine. One particularly well-rated spot is L’Outsider. The number one rated eatery in Gordes on Tripadvisor and winner of its Best of the Best Award in 2021, this family-run restaurant is hidden away from the main tourist hotspots and boasts five stars overall.
It has everything from a secluded outdoor terrace and friendly service to excellent food prepared with local ingredients and expertly crafted cocktails. Alternatively, if you’re after fine French cuisine, there’s lots of places to choose from, including Le Carillon and Auberge De La Bartavelle.
Both were named in the Michelin guide and are located just a stone’s throw away in Goult, which is either a 13 minute drive or around one hour 45 minutes on foot. For those who prefer their meals with a side of rolling countryside views, Restaurant David in the nearby village of Roussillon is also a dream come true.
As for where to stay, Gordes is stuffed with romantic boutique hotels and private rental accommodation options that are perfect for couples. For a classic Provence experience, stay in Les Jas de Gordes, situated in the heart of the Parc regional du Luberon, just a five minute drive from Gordes.
(Image: Tripadvisor)
Here you’ll find acres of wooded parkland complete with lavender, thyme, rosemary and other delightful-smelling plants. Rooms are bright, fresh and airy with pretty provincial white furniture, ditsy florals and stunning views.
There’s also a heated swimming pool and spacious open breakfast room and terrace where you can have evening cocktails. You can also find more charming, secluded properties on Airbnb, including an incredible 17th century rock pool house that looks straight out of a fairytale.
For activities, Gordes has something to suit every type of traveller. Those who prefer a more relaxed weekend will love wandering through the village’s labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets or checking out local historic sites such as Le Château de Gordes.
This sublime stone structure dates back to the 11th century at least and features incredible interiors. You’ll also find a vibrant village market erected around the foot of the castle every Tuesday.
(Image: Manfred Gottschalk mago-world-image)
Expect the likes of fabrics, linens, soaps and lavender, as well as enough breads, olive oil, honey, cold meats, cheese and wine to curate a picnic lunch. Another must-see is the Notre Dame de Senanque Abbaye, a historic monastery where monks still live to this day.
In the summer, the combination of Romanesque Cistercian architecture and bright purple lavender fields makes for an especially gorgeous sight.
More active visitors to Gordes can also enjoy walks or cycles from the village to other Luberon hotspots such as Fontaine de Vaucluse, a pretty, pastel-coloured town on the water. The walk between the two takes five hours from Gordes but is well worth it for the tranquil trails and picturesque end point.
(Image: ashley@globalwarmingimages.net)
Popular cycle routes, meanwhile, include a 4.5hour ride from Gordes to Bedoin via the Provencal countryside and vineyards, and the Gordes Loop Ride. The latter takes you past lots of classic Luberon Valley scenery, as well as two quaint villages.
How to get there
One of the perks of a weekend getaway to Gordes is how easy it is to get there. You can find regular flights to the nearby airport of Marseille from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted – and most only take around one hour and 55 minutes.
From Heathrow, there’s a direct flight with British Airways. Alternatively, there’s also an EasyJet flight to Marseille from Gatwick, or another from London Stansted to Marseille with Ryanair.
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Those looking for a last minute romantic weekend away can take advantage of EasyJet’s tickets to Marseille this February and March, which are currently as low as £19.99 right now. It will then take roughly one hour and a half hours to get to the village of Gordes itself in either a taxi or a hire car.
If you don’t mind a slightly longer journey, you can take the train from London St Pancras to Lille (one hour 22 minutes), then change onto a TGV to Avignon (four hours). Book tickets on Trainline here. From Avignon, it’s about a 45 to 50 minute drive to Gordes, making the total time around six hours.
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