To be completely honest, I would be perfectly happy staying around this house/property all day, but I know that there are things to see and that I will feel guilty if I do what I could do at home, so, map in hand, I set off to see what I could see.
First stop, a nearby village called Mirabeau that supposedly had wonderful views. Mirabeau comes from mirar (to see) and bel (beautiful). In the 12th century, Mirabel or Mirabellum meant an elevated place from where you can see a long way. Mirabeau is dominated by a medieval chateau which appears to keep watch over the village. Surrounded by pinetrees in a magnificent setting, the chateau is unfortunately not open to the public. So, other than being a quaint village and important in medieval times for it’s control of the Durance River, it was a such a lazy village that local cats even had time to argue.
From there, on to La Tour d’Aigues, a pleasant village on the banks of the River Eze within the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon. Essentially an agricultural center, La Tour d’Aigues is surrounded by cultivated fields and vinefields which produce a well respected wine. There are also the remains of a magnificent Renaissance château, The Tour d’Aigues château. Passed down through several families, this Renaissance castle built by Nicolas de Bolliers in 1550 was finally sold to to Jean-Baptiste Bruny who were very unpopular. His son, Jérôme Bruny, turned the castle into a museum. It wasn’t open when I was there, but the ruins were pretty impressive even from the outside. The elegant proportions of its XVIth C. facade make a surprising contrast with other plainer chateau in the area. With its theatrical decor it’s easy to imagine the past splendour of this Renaissance edifice especially while you admire the still intact gateway which takes the form of a splendid triumphal arch.
And then after stopping in the boulangerie I headed back to the house and some time by the pool and some lap swimming. My route from the village of Grambois took me past a lovely view looking up at the houses perched on the hilltop. Quiet days these are for me right now. Slowing down and taking a rest from all the tourist activities. It will return, but for the moment, I’m enjoying the peace and the sun and warmth and lovely breezes of the Luberon department of Provence.
I would not leave the house property. Just hang out, sipping wine, crunching bread and lettuce and watching the cats spar.