Luberon

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Map of the area

The Luberon ([ lyˈbrõː ], also Lubéron [ lybeˈrõː ], Occitan Leberon ) is a mountain range of limestone cliffs below 1200 meters, which is located around 50 km southeast of Avignon in southern France ( Vaucluse department , Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region ) . It is divided into the Petit Luberon (Little Luberon) to the west and the Grand Luberon (Great Luberon) to the east . The highest mountain is the Mourre Nègre at 1125 m. The Luberon also forms a ridge on the north side of the Durance valley. As the Luberon Regional Nature Park , the Luberon has been under protection since 1977 and is characterized by the occurrence of many rare plants and animals.

The area is largely forested (mainly with downy oaks ; 600 hectares in the Little Luberon with Atlas cedars ) and is otherwise used for agriculture. Like most of Provence , the Luberon has a charming rural character. Wine ( Côtes du Luberon ), fruit, vegetables, cereals and lavender are the most important products in the area, which is also known for its caves, steep valleys and picturesque villages perched on cliffs. The wine produced in the Luberon carries the AOC label 'Appellation Luberon Contrôlée', provided the conditions are met.

The Luberon gained historical importance in the 16th century in particular in the persecution of the Vaudois. This population, also known as Waldensians , and a movement accused of being a heretical sect, wanted to reform the Catholic faith and the traditional church with a new image of faith since the 12th century. Due to severe persecution by the Pope and King, their supporters retreated to the inaccessible mountain regions of the Luberon, among other things, as evidenced by some of the fortified villages that still exist on hilltops today. In 1545, under the leadership of the Baron de Oppéde, a terrible massacre was carried out in 24 villages in the Luberon, in which more than 2,000 people are said to have died. Not only because of this tragedy, the area is of some archaeological interest.

Thanks to its beauty and the Mediterranean climate , the mountains are particularly popular with English people who have settled there or have second and third homes. Well-known personalities were and are the British writer Peter Mayle ( My year in Provence and Toujours Provence), who last lived in Lourmarin , or Ridley Scott , who has a second residence there. The Grand Luberon has also become increasingly attractive in recent years, which has had an impact on the regional property market.

The films " Swimming Pool " by François Ozon (2002) and " A Good Year " by Ridley Scott (2006) were shot in this region.

The Luberon is appreciated by individual tourists, wine connoisseurs, hikers and cyclists because of its charming landscape. Away from the big cities and tourist attractions, picturesque mountain villages, fragrant lavender fields, vast olive groves, endless vineyards and famous wineries can be visited on remote roads, paths and paths. A cycle path leads around 250 kilometers around the entire Luberon on well-paved (mostly paved) roads away from the main arteries.

gallery

  • The Régallon gorge

  • Viticulture in the Côtes du Luberon

  • The Grand Luberon as seen from the north-west

  • The Petit Luberon from Grand Luberon seen from

  • Rocks of the Great Luberon in the evening sun

Places in the Luberon

Web links

Commons : Luberon  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 43 ° 48 '  N , 5 ° 13'  E