Villa Bonnieux / Luberon guide / Villa activities
At the villaVilla activities: what to do without leaving the gate
Some of the best days of a Luberon holiday are the ones when the car never moves. With a private pool, 7,000 m² of grounds, an orchard, a terrace facing Mont Ventoux and the village of Bonnieux seven minutes’ walk away, there is plenty to fill a day at Villa Bonnieux. This is everything we love doing here.
At a glance
| Swimming and lounging | The private pool | Open June to September inclusive; loungers and towels provided |
|---|---|---|
| Yoga and a workout | Poolside and the terrace | Best in the cool of the morning |
| Pétanque | The gravel at the front of the house | Early evening, drink in hand |
| Darts, board games and chess | At the house | Any time, and rainy days |
| Orchard picking | The orchard | Cherries in early summer, figs, grapes and quinces into autumn |
| Sunset cocktails | The evening deck | Around 8pm in summer |
| Stargazing | The deck | Clear nights; the Milky Way is often visible |
| Bonnieux village | Seven minutes on foot | Bakery, Friday market, restaurants, bike hire |
In and around the pool
Swimming
Lengths before breakfast, or a long lazy swim as the heat builds in the afternoon. The pool is private and open from June to September inclusive.
Lounging
Comfortable sun loungers and pool towels are provided, with the valley and Mont Ventoux in front of you.
Yoga and a workout
Roll out a mat by the pool among the olive trees and lavender in the cool of the morning, then carry on with a workout on the terrace.
Pool safety
The pool has a safety cover, but the cover does not make the pool safe and is no substitute for supervision. The pool is not fenced or gated. Children must be supervised by an adult 100% of the time near the pool and anywhere outside. Take care on the steps down from the terrace.
Games for every age
Pétanque
On the gravel in front of the house, the Provençal way, with a cold drink as the evening cools.
Darts
A dartboard for friendly rivalries after dinner, for adults and older children.
Board games and chess
Board games for quieter evenings; chess is a family favourite of ours.
Hide and seek
With 7,000 m² of grounds, the orchard and the olive trees, children have endless places to hide, with an adult always keeping an eye on them.
The garden and the orchard
Pick your own fruit
Figs, apples, pears, apricots, peaches, cherries, walnuts, almonds, quinces and a grapevine, to pick as each comes into season. Fruit ripens at different times each year, and please pick from the ground only: no ladders or climbing trees.
The herb garden
Rosemary, thyme and sage for the kitchen, and a lovely way for children to learn plants by smell.
Lavender at the door
The front of the house is planted with lavender and vibrant purple sage, and in season you can usually see lavender in the fields across the valley.
Early risers
Early in the morning you may see deer at the bottom of the garden.
Eating in
Long lunches
By the pool or up on the raised dining terrace, with whatever you found at the morning’s market.
Cooking together
A kitchen made for people who love to cook, with a Ninja air fryer, crêpe maker, rice cooker, raclette set and a premium coffee machine.
The barbecue
Grill outside on long summer evenings. The barbecue is for adults only, and cannot be used when local fire restrictions ban it, which is common in Provence in summer.
Sunset on the deck
The evening deck faces the valley, with a table for aperitifs and cocktails as the sun goes down, around 8pm in summer.
By the fire
In the cooler months the kitchen fireplace is where everyone gathers, and the whole house is heated.
After dark
A walk to the village
Stroll seven minutes down to Bonnieux for dinner or an ice cream and the view as the lights come on across the valley.
Under the stars
Back at the villa, look up from the deck: on clear nights the sky is dark enough to see the Milky Way. The deck is raised, so take care near the edge after dark and keep children well back.
Straight from the gate
Croissants for breakfast
Walk down to Du Pain et des Miettes, our favourite bakery in Bonnieux, and be back before the coffee is cold.
Bonnieux market
On Friday mornings the market fills the village, seven minutes away on foot.
Cycling
Two shops in the village hire bikes and e-bikes; helmets are compulsory for children under 12 in France. Set off on quiet lanes through vineyards and cherry orchards, down to the Roman Pont Julien or across to Lacoste.
Questions
What is there to do at Villa Bonnieux without driving?
Plenty: the private pool, yoga on the terrace, pétanque, darts, board games and chess, picking fruit in the orchard, sunset cocktails on the deck and stargazing. The village of Bonnieux, with its bakery, Friday market and restaurants, is a seven-minute walk.
Is Villa Bonnieux good for children?
Yes. The grounds are ideal for hide and seek, pétanque and fruit picking. The pool has a safety cover, but the cover does not make the pool safe and is no substitute for supervision. The pool is not fenced or gated. Children must be supervised by an adult 100% of the time near the pool and anywhere outside.
Can we walk to Bonnieux from the villa?
Yes, it is a seven-minute walk to the village, its bakery, market and restaurants.
Distances and driving times from Bonnieux are approximate. Opening seasons, days and hours for every place mentioned should be verified directly before you go.
More from our Luberon guide
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Or email us at hello@villabonnieux.com