Bonjour! If you’re dreaming of a postcard-perfect Provençal village and stunning panoramic views, Gordes should be at the very top of your bucket list. Dramatically perched on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by vineyards and rolling countryside, Gordes instantly captures visitors’ hearts. Add ancient stone houses cascading down the hillside, an iconic abbey set among lavender fields, and a fascinating open-air museum of dry stone huts, and you’ll quickly understand why Gordes is named one of the most beautiful villages in France. Keep reading to discover things to do in Gordes, one of Provence’s most enchanting destinations.
Interesting fact. During World War II, Gordes became an active resistance center against the German occupation. The village paid a heavy price for its bravery when German forces bombed Gordes in brutal reprisals. In recognition of its courage and sacrifice, Gordes was later awarded the Croix de Guerre (War Cross) medal!
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Gordes, France FAQ
Gordes is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in southeastern France, within the Vaucluse department. It’s close to popular Provencal villages like Roussillon, Lourmarin, or Bonnieux, and only about an 1 hour drive from larger cities like Aix-en-Provence or Avignon. Gordes sits at an elevation of about 350 meters, offering spectacular views over the Luberon Valley below.
Gordes is one of the most beautiful villages in Provence and is well worth visiting for its spectacular hilltop location, breathtaking views over the Luberon Valley, and distinctive golden stone architecture. While there may not be dozens of things to do in Gordes, the village’s charm and setting make it a must-visit destination in Provence.
Gordes is best known for its dramatic hilltop setting, with stone houses built directly into the hillside, creating one of the most photographed views in Provence. The village is also famous for the nearby Sénanque Abbey surrounded by lavender fields, the unique ancient Village des Bories with its dry stone huts, and being listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France).
Gordes is a small village, and half a day is enough to explore all its highlights at a relaxed pace, including driving to Sénanque Abbey and Village des Bories. Afterward, you can continue your trip to nearby villages like Rousillon, Lourmarin, Lacoste, or Bonnieux. Gordes also makes a great base for exploring the region.
Things to do in Gordes, France
Gordes medieval village
There’s no better way to discover Gordes than by slowly wandering through its maze of charming medieval streets. Take your time and explore cozy squares and hidden passageways, admire stone buildings with colorful shutters, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy breathtaking views from several viewpoints scattered throughout the village. One thing is certain: sooner or later, you’ll come across every picturesque corner of Gordes. And you don’t need a map to do so! Wandering in the village is an absolute delight and one of the best things to do in Gordes, France.
Places to visit in Gordes village
In Gordes you’ll find points of interest like:
- Gordes Castle (fr. Château de Gordes) – an impressive fortress standing proudly at the heart of the village. Originally built in the 11th century, it was significantly remodeled during the Renaissance, transforming it from a defensive stronghold into an elegant residence. Today, the castle houses a museum featuring rotating contemporary art exhibitions. To learn more, visit the chateaudegordes.com website.
- Place du Château – the village’s main square, dominated by the castle and centered around a beautiful fountain. It’s a lively and scenic spot, perfect for taking photos or simply soaking up the atmosphere.
- Church of Saint-Firmin (fr. Eglise Saint-Firmin) – originally built in the 12th century, completely rebuilt in the 18th century in a more elaborate style. It features a beautiful stone façade, an impressive bell tower, and quite a unique interior with an elegant vaulted ceiling, multiple chapels, and colorful painted walls. Entrance is free during opening hours.
- Saint Firmin Palace Cellars (fr. Caves du Palais Saint-Firmin) – beneath the streets of Gordes lies a fascinating hidden world of cellars, vaulted rooms, passages, and chambers. Over the centuries, these underground spaces served as wine storage areas, olive oil mills, workshops, and even shelters during times of war. To learn more, visit the caves-saint-firmin.com website.
- Viewpoint near Théâtre des Terrasses – thanks to its elevated position, this spot offers breathtaking views over the village surroundings.
Beyond its main landmarks, Gordes is also home to art galleries, small boutique shops, and cozy cafés with sunny terraces. The Tourist Office is located on Place Genty Pantaly, right next to the castle. It’s a great place to grab a map and get useful sightseeing information.
Also, we highly recommend visiting Gordes early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and experience the village at a more relaxed pace.
Travel tip. If you’re visiting Gordes on Tuesday, don’t miss the weekly market that takes place around the castle from around 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. There, you’ll find everything from fresh fruits and local produce to handmade crafts and lavender products. It’s a lovely way to experience local life and another highlight among things to do in Gordes, France.
Viewpoint over Gordes village
One of the absolute must-dos when visiting Gordes is stopping at the famous viewpoint along the Route de Cavaillon. This is hands down the best place to capture that iconic, postcard-perfect panorama that has appeared in countless travel magazines and postcards.
From this vantage point, you can admire the entire village cascading down the hillside – stone houses stacked in perfect harmony, the castle crowning the summit, olive groves spreading across the valley below, and the dramatic rocky cliff on which Gordes is built. The view is absolutely spectacular at any time of day.
Parking at the viewpoint is limited, so you may need a bit of patience, particularly during peak season. You can also park a little further down the road and walk back.
Travel tip. Take a short stroll along the road beyond the viewpoint and keep your eyes open. You might even find more picturesque angles and quieter photo spots!
Village des Bories
Located just 4 kilometers from Gordes, you’ll find Village des Bories, one of the most fascinating and unique historical sites in Provence. This open-air museum showcases an entire hamlet of traditional dry-stone huts called “bories” that date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Village des Bories was occupied continuously until 1839 when inhabitants moved to more modern housing.
At the site, you’ll discover various types of bories that served different purposes for the farming community. There are dwellings where families lived, sheep pens for livestock, bread ovens for baking, grain storage buildings, and more! Exploring Village des Bories is without a doubt one of the most interesting things to do in Gorges, France – don’t miss it!
Entrance to Village des Bories costs €8 for adults, €4 for students and children 12-17, and is free for children under 12 (February 2026). For current prices and opening hours, visit the levillagedesbories.com website. Parking is available on site.
Sénanque Abbey
Another of the most photographed and iconic sites near Gordes, and all of Provence, is Sénanque Abbey (fr. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque). Founded in the 12th-century by Cistercian monks, this beautiful monastery is still a working abbey inhabited by a small community of monks. It’s located just outside Gordes village and is easily accessible by car.
But what makes Senanque Abbey truly world-famous is the spectacular sight of lavender fields surrounding the monastery. From late June to mid-July, when the lavender is in full bloom, the abbey sits like a golden jewel in an ocean of vibrant purple, creating one of the most spectacular landscapes in southern France. Visiting during lavender season is without a doubt one of the most unforgettable things to do in Gordes.
Entrance to Sénanque Abbey costs €8 for adults, €6 for students 18-25, €4 for children 6-17, and is free for children under 3 (February 2026). For current prices and opening hours, visit the senanque.fr website. Parking is available on site.
Explore Gordes surroundings
Gordes also makes a great base for exploring nearby gems in Provence. Whether you’re into history, nature, charming villages, or a glass of fine wine, there are many wonderful places to visit near the village that are perfect for day trips.
Just a short drive away, you’ll find many picturesque Luberon villages like Lacoste, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Menerbes, or Simiane-la-Rotonde. Vibrant big cities like Avignon or Aix-en-Provence are also about a 1-hour drive away.
Explore local attractions
How to get to Gordes, France?
Gordes is located about 10km from Roussilon, 15km from Bonnieux or Lacoste, 20km from L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, 35km from Lourmarin, and 40km from Avignon, and 70km from Aix-en-Provence. The most convenient way to get to Gordes is by car.
Where to park in Gordes?
The best place to park in Gordes is the main village parking lot, Parking Place de la Charles de Gaulle, located right at the entrance to the historic center. Remember to arrive early, especially in the high season, as it fills up really quickly.
To Gordes by public transport
Public transport to Gordes is limited and the trip might be long, even from the nearby villages and towns. The fastest, and actually the only, way of getting directly to the village is by bus. You won’t have too much trouble with it from nearby places like Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lourmarin, Aix-en-Provence, or Avignon. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you, visit the regional transport website Zou or rome2rio.com website.
As for trains, unfortunately, there is no train station in Gordes, France. The closest ones are located in Aix and Avignon, and from there you can take a bus to the village. To learn more about train connections that interest you visit sncf-connect.com or rome2rio.com website.
Camping Gordes
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping Clicochic or Aire Camping-Car Park might interest you. They are located close to Gordes.
To Gordes with guided tour
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, you can always take advantage of the guided tours and let someone else take care of all the details of your visit to Gordes, France.
If you’re staying in Aix-en-Provence, we recommend taking part in this well-rated Luberon Hilltop Villages Half-Day Tour. And from Avignon, you can choose this very popular All Provence In One Day Trip.
Things to do in Gordes, France – Summing up
Gordes may be small, but it’s very easy to fall in love with and hard to forget. Breathtaking views over the Luberon Valley, charming medieval streets, iconic lavender fields at Sénanque Abbey, and fascinating ancient bories – Gordes has it all! It’s easy to see why this hilltop village consistently ranks among the most beautiful villages in France.
We hope our guide to Gordes, France helps you plan a memorable visit and inspires you to experience the best things to do in the village. Have an amazing time discovering this beautiful corner of Provence! Enjoy your time & bon voyage!
Our opinion about Gordes
For us, a visit to Gordes was a day trip from nearby Orgon, where we lived for a few weeks. We combined it with a visit to the nearby Roussillon. We visited Gordes in mid-May and to our surprise the village was already bustling with other tourists. Exploring everything we wanted, including Village des Bories and Sénanque Abbey, took us about 5 hours.
We especially loved spending time at the iconic viewpoint overlooking Gordes in the very early morning. The views are truly breathtaking and absolutely live up to the hype. We returned a few hours later and, while the light was much better for photos, the area was extremely crowded and noisy. If possible, we highly recommend visiting as early as you can for a more peaceful experience.
As for the village itself, it was pleasant but didn’t leave a lasting impression on us. We prefer less touristy places with a more authentic medieval and Provençal feel, such as nearby Bonnieux or Lacoste. We also really enjoyed exploring the Village des Bories – it’s such a unique place to visit, and surprisingly very peaceful with just a handful of other visitors. Unfortunately, during our visit, the lavender fields at Sénanque Abbey weren’t in bloom yet, so we missed out on its most iconic view – maybe next time!
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Gordes?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Gordes:
