Gordes Travel Guide: 14 Best Things To Do In Gordes, France For A Perfect Provencal Getaway

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Imagine a perfect little hilltop village with stunning stone buildings, charming, cobblestone streets, and even the most adorable weekly market. Chances are, you’re picturing Gordes, France.

Gordes is honestly one of the most beautiful towns I’ve visited while traveling around both Provence and France. Between its chateau in the center of the village to the views of both the town and the surrounding Luberon Valley, it is easy to fall for this place.

It is no wonder that many people like to show up here, particularly throughout the long summers of Provence to explore one of the best towns of the Luberon. There are several things to do in Gordes and the surrounding area, making it a fun and easy getaway or a great addition to a Provence road trip.

I’ll admit that a couples of years ago, I had briefly visited while on a week-long South of France trip and knew immediately that I had to return. And so, this past summer, I made sure to include a 2-night stay here to really soak it all in. I’m so glad I did. It turned out to be the most relaxing and quaint part of my trip.

So if you too want to enjoy this iconic French village, then consider this your ultimate guide to Gordes!

What Is Gordes?

Gordes is a town that is located in the Vaucluse department of the Provence-Alpes-Cote-d’Azur region of France. It is perched atop a hill overlooking the Luberon Valley, and it is only about 45 minutes from Avignon or just over an hour from Aix-en-Provence via car.

This town has been around since at least the Roman Empire, with evidence in the surrounding area of the Romans living here. However, it really wasn’t built up until the 11th century when the castle was built. 

It was mostly an agricultural town, and there is evidence of this that you can visit today at the Village des Bories. It wasn’t actually until the 1950s or so that artists saw the beauty in the town and made it the popular place it is today.

Now, it is on the list of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, and it is a great spot for those looking for a quick stop to see the market, day trippers coming from Avignon, or even those searching for a relaxing and fun getaway. 

PS-Want to listen instead? Check out our podcast episode about Gordes!

Best Things To Do In Gordes

While Gordes is lovely, it is actually quite a small town of around 2,000 inhabitants. So while there are some unique and fun things to do in Gordes and the nearby area, you can see most of it within a day (or two if you want to relax and take your time).

Without further ado, here are some great things to see in Gordes during your trip!

1. Explore the Gordes Market

This is easily the most popular thing to do here, as the market here is large and full of goodies, attracting people from all over Provence, France, and even the world (myself included). 

The Gordes Market takes place every Tuesday morning from 8 am-1 pm. You can see stands near the Chateau de Gordes as well as spread out to many streets surrounding that area. It really isn’t hard to miss as the market is quite large and the town is pretty small.

At the market, you can find so many great Provencal products including lavender, soaps, olives and olive products, fresh fruits, vegetables, clothes, and even art and photography prints. On my recent visit, I made sure to pick up some delectable tapenades, a little bracelet, and a print from a local photographer. 

It was fun to chat with the artisans and wander the streets of the town during the market.

Some Pro-Tips For Visiting the Gordes Market:

• Have cash on you. Be sure to get money out before visiting Gordes, especially for market day, as there are no working ATMs in the town during the market. Also, many stands do not accept credit cards, so it is VITAL to have cash on you.
• Get here early for parking. Thankfully, “early” in France is before 9 am. If you’re staying at a hotel in the town itself, then you’ll be fine as you’ll likely already have parking. But, if you’re driving in for the market or staying just outside the main town, you’ll want to arrive by 9 am to grab a parking spot at Parking Place de la Charles de Gaulle. There are plenty of spaces earlier in the morning, but it fills up fast!
• Bring your market basket or buy one. What I love about visiting the markets in Provence is that everyone seems to have an adorable straw market basket. You can either purchase one at the market and use it to carry your goodies or bring one you’ve picked up at another market during your trip!

2. Chateau de Gordes

This castle in Gordes is almost a whopping 1,000 years old and possibly sits on a former Roman oppidum. So this chateau has seen some stuff.

Over the years it has been expanded and renovated, particularly during the Renaissance. However, this place wasn’t really used as an actual residence. 

It has served many purposes including as a prison, a place for storing the harvest, a boy’s school, a post office, a pharmacy, and even housed the town hall until 2006.

Now, you can visit the Chateau de Gordes to see the gigantic Renaissance fireplace, the doors, and the spiral staircase. They also host exhibitions throughout the year to go and see.

Chateau de Gordes Address: Place Genty Pantaly, 84220 Gordes

Chateau de Gordes Hours: Summer hours (mid-June through mid-November): Open daily from 10 am-1 pm and 2-6 pm. Winter hours: Open Wednesday-Sunday from 10 am-12:30 pm and 1:30 pm-5 pm. Starting in mid-April, it is open daily and closes at 6 pm. 

Chateau de Gordes Admission: €6 for adults, €4 for children 12-17 years old and students. Children under 12 enter for free.

3. Eglise Saint-Firmin

Dedicated to Saint Firmin, the patron saint of Gordes, this church was built in the 1700s. This church matches the village on the exterior, but is quite colorful on the inside!

It also sits at the top of the hill, meaning you can spot it when you’re outside the town at the Gordes Lookout!

This is a nice place to pop into after exploring the market or if you just love classic European churches.

Eglise Saint-Firmin Address: 84220 Gordes

Eglise Saint-Firmin Admission: Free, but they do accept donations!

4. Les Caves du Palais Saint-Firmin

Les Caves du Palais Saint-Firmin is actually a really unique thing to do in Gordes because after exploring the charming village, you can go underneath the city too. 

After many years of work, now you can visit this part of the town to see the network of old cellars including oil mills, cisterns, a warehouse, an oven for bread making, and more!

These cellars comprise 3 levels where you can take in the architecture-which varies as it appears that these caves were constructed and used around the 11th-18th centuries.

As the land wasn’t large enough to accommodate these industries, they had to dig deeper (literally) and use these underground tunnels.

During your visit, you can watch the documentary of the restoration of the cellars, a 3D video showing what the oil mill would have looked like when it was in use, and then, after your tour, you can visit the museum. 

If you want to get out of the hot sun or learn more about Gorde’s history, this is a great place to go!

Les Caves du Palais Saint-Firmin Address: Rue du Belvédère, 84220 Gordes

Les Caves du Palais Saint-Firmin Hours: Open from the end of March through the beginning of November from 10:30 am-1 pm and 2:30 pm-6 pm. 

Les Caves du Palais Saint-Firmin Admission: €6 for adults, €5 for students, children between the ages of 5-15, the unemployed, and seniors over 65. Free for children under 5.

5. Explore the Art Galleries of Gordes

While you can see quite a few art pieces and things while at the Gordes Market, there are actually some galleries in Gordes and nearby to enjoy as well. 

In fact, there are a couple you can just wander around and explore in between stopping at various market stands. They all are usually open during the market and ready for customers.

Some galleries to pop into include Hugues Galante and Camy Gallery.

6. Spot the Cats!

I am a self-professed cat lady, which means if I see a cat or a cat mural…I’m going to freak out. 

The same holds true in Gordes. There are actually quite a few cat murals around the city you can find as you walk around!

So if you want a fun thing to do, try to find the cat murals…and bonus points if you find an actual cat or two during your journey.

7. Wander the Town

Thankfully, wandering around Gordes is easy, and no, you probably won’t get lost because it is a small village. But this place is endlessly charming with its tucked away alleys, hilly, cobblestone streets, and even picturesque viewpoints of the surrounding valley.

So take time to wander, admire the architecture, and get lost in the quaintness of this place.

Things to Do Near Gordes

Yes, you could easily do all the things I’ve mentioned above in just a day. And if you want to explore Gordes even deeper, here are some other cool things to do in the nearby area.

1. Visit the Gordes Viewpoint

This is a quick stop you can make in order to really enjoy the views of the town from afar. This is a dreamy hilltop village, and while you can see the views of the valley from the town, you can’t really take in the beauty of the village as a whole. 

So go to the Gordes Viewpoint to really take it all in its glory.

Pro-tip: There is a tiny area for parking next to the Gordes Viewpoint but it is on a one-way street. You’ll likely pass the viewpoint on the way out of Gordes, so if so, you’ll want to take a left on Chemin de Bel-Air and then a left on the little side street for the Gordes Viewpoint parking.

It is meant to be a short parking stay of a few minutes or so, therefore you can’t stay long! 

Gordes Viewpoint Address: 13 Rte de Cavaillon, 84220 Gordes

2. Stop by Senanque Abbey

This is a must-visit while you’re visiting Gordes. Located about 10 minutes from the town deep in the valley, the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Senanque is a Cistercian monastery dating back to 1148 AD. 

And it is still a working monastery today! Most people tend to come here in the summertime to catch the lavender in bloom and take lovely photos. I get it-it is truly stunning, but you can actually visit the abbey as well.

Enjoy wandering through the abbey with a histopad, which is like an iPad where you can hover it over a picture and then move it around the room. It’ll show you what the place looked like back in its heyday and what life at the abbey was like!

There are cloisters here to check out, which are stunning on their own as well.

Plus, there is also a shop on the property with products that they grow including lavender.

Note: If you visit during the lavender season, it will be crowded and parking will be harder to find. There is a large parking lot, but get here earlier for it! Also, you cannot just walk through the lavender fields as most are blocked off, particularly the one in front of the abbey. However, you can take the iconic photo of the abbey with the lavender in front without anyone in it! 

There are a few small fields to take photos in if you want to do that, but note that the majority are fenced off.

Senanque Abbey Address: Abbaye de Sénanque, 84220 Gordes

Senanque Abbey Hours: Self-guided tours are from Monday-Saturday from 9:45 am-11 am and from 1 pm-5 pm. On Sundays, it is open from 1-5 pm. For guided 1-hour tours (only in French), they are Monday-Saturday starting at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. On Sunday, tours are at 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. 

Senanque Abbey Admission: €8 for adults, €6 for students (18-25 years), €4 for children from 6-17 years old (free from the 3rd child with their parents), free for children under 6, guides, or those who are members of a religious order.

3. Village des Bories

Provence may be famous for its lavender fields and charming towns, but it got its big start as an agricultural region. 

You can learn more about rural life here from the 18th and 19th centuries at Village des Bories. This is an open-air museum with several of these stone structures that were used in farming. 

The bories would be a place where farmers working during the season would temporarily stay, where they would store farming supplies, and even where they would keep livestock. They were incredibly useful, and now you can visit several of these structures and go inside!

Plus, there is an exhibit that discusses borie-like structures used around the world!

Pro-Tip: You’ll see parking off the main road for the bories, but it is actually like a mile or so from there. Instead, keep following the signs until you reach the parking lot next to the bories.

Village des Bories Address: 1570 Chemin du Village des Bories, 84220 Gordes

Village des Bories Hours: This varies based on the time of the year. Check here for current hours.

Village des Bories Admission: €8 for adults, €4 for students and children between 12-17 years old, and free for children under 12. 

4. Visit the Nearby Towns of the Luberon

I have a whole guide about visiting the Luberon Villages, so you can check that out to learn more. But you can spend a day or two just exploring the nearby Luberon towns and go wine tasting, go see the charming villages, see historical sites, and more.

Some of my favorites include Roussillon for its famous Ochre Path that you can hike, Bonnieux for its vineyards and orchards, Apt for its very large Saturday market, Oppede-le-Vieux for a charming Medieval village, and Cucuron for a smaller, lesser-visited town with a charming tree-lined basin. 

5. Go Hiking

Gordes is located in the Luberon Regional Natural Park, so you know there is some great hiking. Whether you want to do an easier hike along the Ochre Path in Roussillon, or you want to do a full-day hike, there are several places to hike or take long walks nearby.

Check out All Trails for some hiking ideas near Gordes.

6. Explore the Lavender Fields

The Luberon is one of the areas of Provence that is well known for its lavender fields. So you could spend a day driving around and taking photos of these stunning fields.

If you plan to do this, just be sure to time your trip correctly. I ended up visiting in mid-July and had just missed the fields, as they are harvested when they are at their peak bloom.

Aim to catch them earlier in July before this. Just note that this may change year-by-year depending on the weather. 

As an alternative, I ended up going up near Sault on the way to Gordes and then Valensole after departing Gordes to catch the lavender fields there where they weren’t harvested as early. 

7. Spend Much-Needed Relaxation Time By The Pool

Provence, like much of the South of France, is hot in the summertime. Provence is also well-known to be a sunny place. So, if you’re visiting in the summer, I highly recommend booking a hotel with a pool (I’ll mention those below). 

Then, after spending the morning and early afternoon exploring Gordes and the nearby area, you can chill by the pool. Perhaps snack on goodies you purchased from the market as you lounge around during the heat of the day.

Either way, a pool is a clutch in the summer.

Where To Eat In Gordes

Okay, aside from the delicious delicacies at the Gordes Market, here are some great restaurants to check out during your stay in Gordes.

1. L’Orangerie

Yes, this place is fancy. Located within the Airelles Gordes La Bastide hotel, this restaurant specializes in Provencal cuisine and has an incredible view of the Luberon Valley.

For delicious food and a view, this is your place.

L’Orangerie Address: La Bastide, 61 Rue de la Combe, 84220 Gordes

L’Orangerie Hours: Breakfast from 7:30 am-11 am (10:30 am on Sundays), lunch from 12:15-2:15 pm, and dinner from 7:15-9:45 pm. Brunch is every Sunday from 11:45 am-2:30 pm.

2. Clover Gordes

This one I’m throwing in for fun, but it is another restaurant at La Bastide. If you’re a fan of Emily in Paris, this is where she and Gabriel ate during their stop in Gordes in season 3.

The restaurant in the show was called “L’Esprit de Luberon,” but it was filmed here. Again, this place has great food and a killer view of the Luberon Valley, so if you want some fine dining featuring the flavors of Provence, this is the place.

Clover Gordes Address: La Bastide, 61 Rue de la Combe, 84220 Gordes

Clover Gordes Hours: Daily from 12-2:15 pm and 7-10:15 pm. 

3. Le Mas

Located just outside of the hilltop village of Gordes is this beauty of a restaurant, nestled amongst trees with an exquisite terrace.

Here you can enjoy a tasting menu with items such as fresh clams, perfectly cooked steak, and even their take on a Tartre Tropezienne (halved brioche with pastry and buttercream in the middle and topped with pearled sugar).

I had the best evening dining here, relaxing as the sun slowly crept downwards, and sipped on some delicious Southern Rhone wine. 

Le Mas Address: Chemin de Saint Blaise, 84220 Gordes

Le Mass Hours: Open on Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:15-9:15 pm. Open on Saturday and Sunday from 12:15-1:45 pm and 7:15-9:15 pm. Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

4. Le C

Another great restaurant located just outside of Gordes is Le C, located at the Carcarille Hotel. This place has an ever-changing menu packed with local and regional delights. I thoroughly enjoyed the free tapenade served first followed by the best stuffed zucchini flower I’ve ever had. 

Followed up with fish, and a rich dessert and I was happy to wrap up my time in Gordes here.

Le C Address: D2, Les Gervais, 84220 Gordes

Le C Hours: Open on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 12-2 pm and 7:30-10 pm. Open on Friday and Saturday from 12-2 pm and 7:30-10:30 pm. Closed on Monday.

Where to Stay in Gordes

Being a smaller town, there aren’t tons of hotels to choose from, and honestly, the ones in the town itself can be a bit pricey. 

I actually recommend staying at a charming B&B guesthouse just outside of the main hilltop village for better prices and more local charm. 

However, you do you! Here are some ideas for where to stay in Gordes. And don’t worry, these all have pools!

Le Verger Guesthouse: This is where I stayed on my recent visit and it was thoroughly enjoyable. Daniele, the host, was so friendly and helpful with many suggestions of things to do in the area. The rooms are spacious and have either a balcony or terrace and the pool area is nestled amongst an olive grove. It is just 10 minutes outside of the main hilltop town, but charming nonetheless.

Book it here!

La Borie en Provence: Also just outside of the main hilltop village is this guesthouse with a nice pool, cute rooms, and views. 

Book it here!

Airelles Gordes, La Bastide: And if you want to splurge and stay in the main hilltop town of Gordes, this 5-star hotel has it all including rooms with views, a stunning pool, a couple of restaurants (some mentioned above) and a bar, and a spa. Stay in the town itself and feel pampered during a getaway here.

Book it here!

Getting to Gordes and Getting Around

I’ll be honest, your best bet is to have a car if you want to visit Gordes. Gordes doesn’t have a train station, and you can’t even take a direct bus from nearby Avignon to the place. Yes, it is possible to take a train to Avignon and a couple of buses from there, but it isn’t as simple as just having a car.

So, your best bet is to rent a car and drive here. It’ll make your life so much easier and more flexible having a car. That way you can visit the nearby villages, explore Senanque Abbey, see the Village des Bories, etc.

I like checking Auto Europe for rental car prices! 

The other option is to take a tour from Avignon. Here are a couple of day trip ideas from Avignon:

• 10.5-hour All Provence in 1 Day including a 20-minute stop in Gordes
• 8.5-hour Luberon Villages Tour with a 1-hour stop in Gordes
• 5.5-hour Luberon Villages Tour in the afternoon with a stop with free time in Gordes

Once you’re in the hilltop village of Gordes, it is a walkable town, as it is pretty small. However, note that there are cobblestone streets and they can be steep. 

When to Visit Gordes & Gordes Weather

You can honestly visit Gordes year-round. However, I will note that things do either shut down or have reduced hours outside of the tourist season in this area of France. So the winter is likely not the best time to visit. 

Also in the winter months is the Mistral wind. This is a strong and cold wind that blows from the north. It isn’t so pleasant. So avoiding the winter months is a good idea if you want to avoid the Mistral.

May-October are great times to visit for the best weather. But note that it is quite hot from June-August. This also is the busiest time of year in Gordes because of the lavender fields and it is summer vacation.

On my second visit, I came here in mid-July. However, I noticed that on my first visit in September/October, it really wasn’t that crowded in this area of France.

So I’d opt for May and early June and September and October for better weather and fewer crowds.

Other Tips For Visiting Gordes

I know, after all of this great Gordes information, you are ready to book that trip! Here are just a few last things you need to know before visiting.

1. Parking. I mentioned that there is good parking at Parking Place de la Charles de Gaulle. This is your best bet for parking. However, again and especially on market days, arriving by 9 am is a good idea to get a spot. Also, for parking here, you can download and pay via the PayByPhone App.
2. Public toilets. While wandering in the town of Gordes, you may need to use the toilet. There is a public toilet near the main round-about in Gordes, across from the chateau. I will note, like all public toilets in rural France, you’ll want to pack in your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer as these things are not a guarantee.
3. Always say “Bonjour/Bonsoir.” It is considered rude not to when you begin a conversation with anyone (server, shopkeeper, etc.). I usually switch from “bonjour” to “bonsoir” around sunset.
4. Learn a little French. It helps knowing at least a few French words and phrases during your time in rural France and in Gordes. I have a guide with 17 useful words and phrases to know!
5. Cash is king. I’ve mentioned this for the markets, but getting cash out ahead of your time in Gordes is a good idea in general. Cash is still king here. 

And there you have it! These are the best things to do in Gordes and how to best enjoy a getaway here! Whether you want to visit the Gordes Market or just enjoy the peace and tranquility that the Provencal countryside offers, you’re going to love it here!

Would you visit Gordes?

Want more South of France travel ideas? Check out these posts!

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• Best Things to Do in Saint-Remy-de-Provence
• 10 Days in France: 10 Ways to Spend 10 Days in France
• Best 5-Day French Riviera Itinerary
• Nice in One Day
• Top French Road Trips
• One Day in Avignon
• Best Things to Do in Cassis
• 3 Days in Cannes
• How to Spend 1 Day in Cannes
• Top Things to Do in Grasse
• Best Weekend Trips From Paris
• France Bucket List

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