Built Into the Cliff, Bathed in Sunlight—This French Village Just Might Win Provence
Perched high above the Calavon Valley, this village seems to spill down the rocky slope, with stone houses layered against a backdrop of the Luberon Mountains...
Gordes is one of the most iconic hilltop villages in southern France—and honestly, it’s hard to believe it’s real when you first see it. It’s the kind of view that makes you stop in your tracks and just stare.
The village itself is small—just a handful of winding streets and a few key sights—but it’s packed with charm. The rocky promontory where Gordes sits has been inhabited since ancient times, with layers of history stretching back to the Gauls and Romans.
The current layout took shape in the Middle Ages, when a castle was built and the town grew up around it.
After a long period of decline, Gordes was rediscovered in the 1950s by artists drawn to its light and setting. Marc Chagall, André Lhote, and others helped put it back on the map, and today it’s one of the most beloved villages in the region.
Come discover all the beautiful places to visit in Gordes.
8 Incredible Things to Do in Gordes
1. Panoramic Viewpoint
Truly the best thing to do in Gordes is to admire the town from afar. Just across the ravine, there’s a great viewpoint where you can see the village perched on a steep hill, with stone buildings spilling down the slope and the Provençal countryside stretching out behind it.
This is a great viewpoint at any time of day, but is especially lovely at sunset.
This rock is the official viewpoint and offers a great view, but you can get similar views by walking along Route de Cavaillon (the main street) from the viewpoint back towards the town.
You can also walk down Chemin de Bel Air (a road heading down to the bottom of the hill from the viewpoint) for similar great views, without the crowds.
For all of these spots, you can park at the official viewpoint—there are spots for maybe 7 vehicles, but you’re only supposed to stay there for a few minutes. Alternatively, park in the main city parking lot and walk back to these panoramic viewpoints.
2. Visit the Castle
The Chateau de Gordes was built and expanded between the 1000s-1500s by the ruling family of Gordes, taking the castle from Medieval fortress to Renaissance castle.
Today, the castle functions as a museum with a permanent exhibit on the history of Gordes, a grand hall with a beautiful fireplace still used for village weddings, and several rooms featuring rotating art exhibitions. When I was there, a photography exhibit of people from cultures all over the world was on display.
Honestly, it’s not the most exhilarating castle experience in Provence, but as it’s really the only actual “attraction” in town, you might as well stop in (and I did quite enjoy reading the exhibits about the history of Gordes).
- Cost: €6
- Hours: 10am-1pm, 1:30pm-5:30pm
3. Place Gently Pantaly
Place Gently Pantaly is the main square in Gordes and is situated just outside the castle. At its center is a charming fountain, which was the only source of drinking water for the village until the 1950s.
With its surrounding buildings, a few cafes, and large oak trees, it’s a beautiful spot in Gordes.
4. Saint Firmin Church
Most churches in French villages are constructed on prominent squares, but Saint Firmin Church is different in that it’s almost tucked away on a small side street.
It’s definitely worth popping in to see the inside, though, as it’s quite pretty, with the walls and arches painted in bright colors, and paintings and statues decorating the perimeter and chapels of the church.
5. Viewpoints Over the Countryside
While the best views in Gordes are looking at the village itself, the views from town back over the countryside are pretty lovely too.
The best view is from the end of Rue de l’Eglise (location), where you can take in sweeping views of the olive groves, rolling hills, and fields that surround Gordes.
Look closely at the cliffside and you’ll spot old farming terraces—built to make the most of the dry, rocky landscape and still visible across the hills today.
6. Caves du Palais Saint Firmin
Many of the homes and buildings in town had attached underground caves, designed to be both storage and work space. You can visit some of the caves under the Palais Saint-Firmin to learn more about this aspect of life in Gordes.
7. Wander the Streets
The streets of Gordes are just insanely charming: narrow, cobblestoned pathways winding between stone houses, archways, and ivy-covered walls. It’s the kind of place that feels like it hasn’t changed in centuries.
You can walk all the way from the top of the village down to the valley floor, and if you have the time, I’d definitely recommend it.
When I visited in October, the area around the castle, main square, and viewpoint was fairly busy, but as soon as I ventured into the lower streets, I had them almost entirely to myself.
The views were just as lovely, and the quiet made it even better. So come ready to explore—you’ll want time to wander.
8. Le Lavoir de Quartier Basse
You can walk all the way from the top of the village to the Lavoir de Quartier Basse, or the washing area of the Lower Quarter at the bottom of the hill.
Mulberry trees and silk worm farming was a big industry in Gordes for hundreds of years, with several mills processing the silk, which was then sent out to the silk houses in Lyon.
The biggest industry, though, was tanning, and there were 14 tanneries in Gordes at its height. These tanneries were situated around the Lavoir Basse, as access to water is an important component in leather tanning. This industry died out in Gordes between 1860-1920.
How Long to Spend in Gordes
I visited the Castle, stopped in at the church, admired the countryside viewpoint, went by the Caves, then wandered through the village down Rue des Tanneurs and Rue Jean Deyrolle to the Lavoirs.
From there I walked back up Chemin de Bel Air to the panoramic viewpoint towards Gordes and back into town via Route de Cavaillon.
I was going at a leisurely pace, stopping often for photos, and all of this took just over 2 hours. However, if you want to grab lunch or dinner in Gordes, plan for an extra hour or two.
Short on time? With 30 minutes you could stop at the panoramic viewpoint and wander around the upper town area.
Where to Visit Nearby
There are many other fantastic villages and places to visit near Gordes:
Abbaye Notre Dame de Sénanque is famous for the lavender fields surrounding the abbey.
Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a charming town surrounded by the Sorgue River, famous for its twice-weekly market and antique shops.
Roussillon is another pretty hilltop village, surrounded by deep orange ochre cliffs.
Fontaine de Vaucluse is a beautiful natural spot where an underground spring emerges to begin the Sorgue River.
How to Visit Gordes
Rental Car: By car, it’s a 50 minute drive from Avignon to Gordes. Since you’ll spend a relatively short amount of time in Gordes, a rental gives you ultimate flexibility in timing and allows you to easily visit other nearby villages.
Public Transit: Alternatively, you can take the bus from Avignon. There are a few options so I’d just put in your location into Google Maps and see what it recommends on the public transit tab. By bus, it generally takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to reach Gordes.
Guided Tour: This is the easiest way to experience Gordes and the Luberon villages, as you don’t have to worry about logistics, navigating, or parking.
This small group half-day tour from Avignon is a great option, as you’ll visit Gordes, the ochre village of Roussillon, and the lavender fields.
This small group, full-day tour from Avignon is another wonderful option, with stops in the market and antique town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, then Roussillon, and Gordes.
Where to Park in Gordes
If you’re visiting Gordes by car, you’ll need to park in the big city parking lot (location here). Parking here is paid, and you’ll pay in the little machines in the lot before heading out into town. Pricing is very reasonable—I paid just a few euros for my couple of hours in town.
