For every traveler heading to the south of France, the glorious village of Gordes is a must-see. Gordes looks over the pleasant scenes of the Luberon as it sits high on a cliff, just 340 m above the valley floor. Gordes has a flashy history, having survived earthquakes, plagues, and bombings in the past. 

Gordians, as its residents are called, have a conscious spirit as they would not lie down- they sparked medieval incursions and backed the Resistance fighters in the Second World War. In the 1950s and 1960s, the village’s dramatic views and lighting charmed artists, giving it an artsy prestige that still exists today. Gordes also has an iconic market, trendy restaurants, and fantastic places to stay in.

What to Know More about Gordes? Let me Take You on a Ride:

A Short History of Gordes

The village has a dissenting instinct that has been widely shown throughout the centuries. After the demise of local King Roi René in the 1400s, residents unsuccessfully rebelled against becoming part of France as a whole. During the Second World War, centuries later, the village became the hotbed of resistance against the Germans and the ruling French Vichy regime. 

In 1944, as payback, the Nazi soldiers entered some homes in the village and executed about 13 villagers, and deported 5. In 1948 Gordes was granted the “Croix de Guerre” medal for being among the most viable places of German Resistance under occupation.

After the war, artists like Marc Chagall settled there. Chagall is widely known for his New Testament stained glass murals domiciled in several churches across the country. Picasso, his friend, once said of him, “when Matisse dies, Chagall will be the only painter left who understands what color is”. Victor Vasarely established his first art museum in Gordes. There are galleries, art shops, and exhibitions to check out today.

Where is Gordes Located?

The village is situated in the Luberon, a dramatic region in the center of Provence. The region is widely recognized for its lavender fields, perched villages, vineyards, and agricultural heritage. 

Getting to Gordes Village

From Aix-en-Provence, the village is a winding one-hour drive. From Aix take bus LO25 then stop “sous prefecture” to the town of Salon. You will take public transport but before then, stop “gare routiere” from where you will board the train to Cavaillon and then the number 17 bus to the village. Stop “les bories”. By car, Avignon is 45 minutes, and alternatively, you can take a 34-minute train ride to Cavaillon and get tee number 17 into Gordes.

Parking in Gordes

In the center of the village, there are very few parking spots. Given its hilltop location, visitors should expect some parking logistics. On market days, when vehicles are directed to car parks, just a short walk from the center when it gets very busy. Such a main car park is situated at the village’s entryway, off the Route de Cavaillon. There are two other parking places towards the Route de Murs if you do not go further into Gordes. The parking cost is about 4 euros per day.

What to Do in Gordes

Despite its size, Gordes has several attractions and pursuits, ranging from the historical to the architectural to some more 21st-century pursuits. Here are some of the things to do in the village.

Visit le Château de Gordes

Since its completion in 1031, Gordes Castle has been the center of the village. Given a facelift in 1525, its architecture offers a splendid connection between the Middle Ages and the golden Renaissance era. The entry fee is 5 euros, and it usually hosts art exhibitions organized by local artists. Le Château de Gordes is open every day from 10 in the morning to 6 in the evening. The château hosts the yearly Christmas market during the yuletide period in Gordes. The entry fee is free. 

See the Cave of the Palais Saint Firmin

Local villagers engrave a city in the rock under their world above in the middle ages. They also added everything to maintain a working life, including a silo to store food and an olive oil mill. The place is open daily from March 31st to November 3 (10 am – 6 pm). From 1-2 pm, it closes for lunch. 6 euros is the entry fee.

Adore the L’Eglise Saint Fermin (Church of Saint Fermin)

Constructed on the grounds of an old 1100s Romanesque church, this site was dedicated to the Bishop of Uzes (Saint Fermin) in the 1700s. Each of the petit eight chapels are consecrated to patron saints of various professions like blacksmiths and shoemakers to keep tabs on their livelihoods. 

In the Luberon light, the faded church colors are amazing, and the Italian-styled painted interior is worth checking out. The admission fee is free, but donations are welcomed.

Take on the Local Boutiques

Fitting a village with a massive artistic prestige, there are a few individual art displays to be discovered in the local shops that deal with a blend of southern French crafts, artists’ own work, and expensive tourist gifts. Also, browse L’Occitane boutique, a legendary Provence cosmetics brand, for a cracking range of natural creams, fragrances, and soaps. 

People watch from a café Terrace

The village has a fair few ice cream stalls, cafes, and creperies; walk in and enjoy a delectable treat in an afternoon walk or take a seat in a leafy square and watch the world unfurl. People watching gives you a glimpse into the everyday life of locals. You cannot help but feel a light intimacy by watching them hurry to someplace or exchange pleasantries or make animated gesticulations while on a phone call.

Stroll on the Cobbled Streets

One of the most interesting things to do in Gordes is to wander on the cobbled lanes and see where you end up. There are hidden gems in the historical streets waiting to be discovered at every turn. Without a doubt, you will stumble across ravishing views, attractive small nooks among the hillside houses, and ancient gateways. It is difficult to get lost, so meander at leisure and absorb all the small details as you go.

Check out the Gordes Viewpoint

Some of the best photos of the village are taken from a viewpoint on the way into Gordes. In your Google map, just type “Town View Point Gordes,” and it will bring up the location. Parking lots are scarce around the viewpoint, and you will want to reach there before dark shadows are cast over the village’s lower half. It is out of the village, not by much, so check out Gordes lookout point on your way in or your way out.

Things to Do near Gordes

Some of Luberon’s eye-catching buildings are very close to Gordes, and in less than twenty minutes, you can be visiting vacated villages and amazing abbeys.

Village des Bories

From working the land, 1700s peasants in the village made a living, purchasing smallholdings to sow grain to feed the increasing population. They built bories (huts) on this land with state-of-the-art masonry styles, where every row of stones juts out beyond the one below to keep water from seeping in.

Villagers harvested honey and silk farms or housed hens, horses, and hens inside. These were used as a base to cultivate the almond and mulberry, whose close olive mills forged much of Gordes’ income until the mighty frost of 1956.

After the period, the huts were deserted to grow over until restoration took place in the 1970s and became fortified monuments in 1983. There is the Village des Bories which is an open-air museum that opens every day at 9 am and closes at 5:30 pm in winter and 8 pm in the summertime. The entry fee for adults is 6 euros, 4 euros for teenagers, and no fee for those under 12 years old. 

Abbey de Senanque

In Provence, this is one of the most photographed buildings. The beautiful abbey was built in the 1100s, and monks lived under a vow of silence (allowed only to speak in the Chapter room) in the abbey. The monks now make a lot from growing lavender. In front of the abbey, you will find it planted in fine rows. Honey is also cultivated, and visitors are welcome for hourly tours.

Visit the Gordes Market

Do not miss the market day when in the village. From 8 am to 1 pm, shop owners come together in the shadow of the imposing Gordes castle allowing visitors to walk leisurely through the shops, concealed from the sunshine in the impressive Renaissance architecture’s shadow.

The market sells several food types and several Provencal objects like items produced from olive wood, lavender, and the popular Marseille soap. Amber around the stalls trying out fresh bread and local lavender-laced honey. Wonder at the cheeses, smell the flowers and have the best views over the valley.

Gordes Travel Guide – Final Thoughts

Gordes will be one of the most beautiful French villages you have ever visited. It is home to pastel buildings, narrow winding streets, and a weekly market that is increasingly popular throughout the region. When you visit the market, do not forget to test the straw hats, baskets, and more for a unique Provencal experience.