The Luberon region of Provence, spread out over three small ranges of hills and mountains, is full of picturesque villages, each famous for some aspect of its view or for someone who lived there. Each is individual, but they mostly fall into two categories: Down in the valley, or up on the hill. Bonnieux definitely belongs to the second group.
All of the town’s streets are either steep climbs (some of them are stairs!) up and down, or rise gently across the hill, offering wide views of the valley and even of nearby villages.
Bonnieux, like most other towns of the region, has a summer population several times the 1400 or so who live there, and has, of course, many restaurants and rooms to accommodate them, along with galleries and other stores. There’s even a museum of baking tucked away nearby, but the town hasn’t taken on the gaudy or tacky aspect that sometimes happens to vacation areas.
The town is marked by two churches, one older than the other and higher up the hill; the other is in the lower part of town and visible from almost anywhere. Walking up the steep street/stairs that climb to the town hall and continuing on brings you to an observation point, and if you are feeling really energetic, to the old church.
We only stayed long enough for a meal and to wander around the hillsides; we can’t claim to be experts, but Bonnieux put itself on our list of places to visit again sometime.
