Warm at last!! In Monterbes & Oppede-le-Vieux.....

..... The cold wind that has plagued us since our visit to Gordes has finally blown itself out.... today is warm and we are much restored from a day of R&R!! Life is perfect all round, so where to? How about Monterbes followed by lunch in Oppede-le-Vieux? Sounds good.....

We soon discovered Monterbes is a hidden gem and surely a well guarded local secret? Don't stop at the first little group of cafe's, keep on up the hill! The panoramic views are well worth a bit of a steep hill or two.... Near the top, we discovered a delightful restaurant, Maison De La Truffe et Du Vin.... So!! Abandoning our original intent, we decided we wouldn't let this opportunity pass us by....

Lunch was excellent, the views superb and our waiter? A totally nice guy....

Once more, relaxed and refreshed, we set off for Oppede-le-Vieux and met the first person in Provence who made us feel unwelcome... The car park attendant!

Despite Monsieur I-Don't-Like-Australian-Tourists, Oppede-le-Vieux was very beautiful, but on the whole, we preferred Monterbes, a village, with views second to none and like Lourmarin, makes people naturally welcome..... Not least because the car parking is easy! Ohhhhhh... And free!

On arrival in Provence, we read a recommendation to "make certain to visit the four villages: Oppede-le-Vieux, Gordes, Roussillon and Menerbes"..... After spending time in The Luberon, we would say: Menerbes, Roussillon and Lourmarin are unmissable, Oppede-le-Vieux is pretty but not the most welcoming and Gordes is only pretty from a distance.

In a different direction, Les Beaux-de-Provence and St Remy are a must....

Don't take our word for it though this is only our personal opinion, check it out for yourself..... And of course, there are lots of places we still haven't explored.... Yet! So keep watching....

PS: Pay-and-Display machines get my vote!