Ménerbes

Discover the beautiful village of Ménerbes in the Luberon

Looking for an authentic destination in Provence? The village of Ménerbes stands on a rocky outcrop and is listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.

This village in the Luberon awaits you between Oppède to the west and Lacoste to the east. Here you will find the Maison de la Truffe et du Vin (Truffle and Wine House), Saint-Hilaire Abbey, and the famous corkscrew museum. Ménerbes charmed Picasso, Nicolas de Staël, and Peter Mayle.

The village overlooks the vineyards and offers a view of the Monts de Vaucluse. You can stroll through the narrow streets, visit historical sites, and taste the AOC Côtes du Luberon wines

Ménerbes is located in the Vaucluse department, near Goult, Bonnieux, and other villages in the Luberon. The tourist office is located on Avenue Marcellin Poncet and is open Tuesday through Saturday.

From the road, you will see this village as a stone vessel. The ancient fortifications tell the story of the religious wars of the 16th century. The citadel and the church of Saint-Luc bear witness to Ménerbes' medieval past.

What to see in the village?

As you visit the village, you will notice that Ménerbes has preserved many reminders of its rich historical past.

The Dolmen de la Pichouno (unique in Vaucluse) shows that Ménerbes was inhabited as far back as prehistoric times. Excavations have uncovered the remains of villas and an ancient cemetery dating back to the Roman period.

In the Middle Ages, access to the town, which was then riddled with underground passages, was via the two gates of St Sauveur and Notre Dame.

The Abbey of St. Hilaire, a former convent of a Carmelite community, was developed around 1250 from a pre-existing religious site, part of which was troglodytic.

Saint-Hilaire is an atypical architectural ensemble that evokes Gothic forms while retaining a Romanesque feel. A superb historical monument.

The history of the village

During the Wars of Religion in the 16th century, Ménerbes was the capital of the Protestant movement. You can admire the imposing citadel built between the 12th and 16th centuries. Magnificent old houses, beautifully restored, still bear witness to this tumultuous past and the place occupied by the nobility at that time. They give the old town of Ménerbes a lot of character!

Picasso had a house there

Nicolas de Staël and Picasso had residences in Ménerbes, and they have since been joined by many famous artists, musicians, actors, and writers, each of whom now owns one of these beautiful farms scattered around the village.

The Corkscrew Museum

Don't leave Ménerbes without visiting the picturesque Corkscrew Museum, which houses more than 1,000 different examples of this magical little tool invented in the 17th century by a Frenchman, of course!

Where to stay?

Further down this page, you will find our selection of hotels, guesthouses, and vacation rentals that we recommend in the village.