Le Village de Lourmarin
"This little village in the south of Luberon is a must-see for all seekers of historical and cultural heritage of Provence. Reason number one to come to the village: Château de Lourmarin – this is the first Renaissance-style palace of Provence, built between XV and XVI centuries. The palace, erected in the fields a short walk from the village (in fact the palace preceded the village) is divided into the medieval part (Château Vieux), which is unfortunately not accessible to public, and the renaissance part (Châteauneuf), built in Italian style, which surprises visitors with its galleries and 93-step staircase. In the beginning of XX century the palace is restored by the effort of Robert Laurent-Vibert, a rich entrepreneur from Lyon, the producer of famous lotion for hair-loss prevention. Laurent-Vibert had a project to turn the Château into a “villa Médici”, which will assemble young artists and researchers (nowadays a private foundation, named in his honour, manages a summer school for young talents). If you want to visit the Château, take a close look at its opening hours. In summertime the Château hosts numerous concerts and art-exhibits, a part of it can be also rented for weddings, seminars and other events (see the details on the web-site.
Reason number two to come to Lourmarin: its cemetery, where lay Albert Camus and Henri Bosco.
Reason number three: the village itself with authentic Provencal calades, dividing the centre of the village into three concentric circles, pretty houses and terraces with the view on the plain of Luberon. The village has a Catholic church first built in XI century and enlarged in XVI century – a good mixture of roman and late gothic styles, so frequent in Provence. Next to the château – a Protestant temple built in the very beginning of XIX century (if you know a little bit the history of Lourmarin, you will be surprised to see the temple in this village). This temple possesses one of the biggest organs in the region. The lovers of the fountains will find four in Lourmarin: the fountain of the château, which imitates antique style, was constructed in 1930 by Louis Didron, one of the young sculptors, spending his summer in Lourmarin. The fountain of three masks in front of the temple has the same author and was constructed after the World War II, when the sculptor returned to Lourmarin. The centre of the village has two older fountains: the fountain of the square and the fountain of the church. Considering the size of the village you will not miss other architectural landmarks: the belfry of XVII century and the ancient windmill."
Source: Visit2provence.com http://www.visit2provence.com/english/destinations/urban/lourmarin,21.html
Reason number two to come to Lourmarin: its cemetery, where lay Albert Camus and Henri Bosco.
Reason number three: the village itself with authentic Provencal calades, dividing the centre of the village into three concentric circles, pretty houses and terraces with the view on the plain of Luberon. The village has a Catholic church first built in XI century and enlarged in XVI century – a good mixture of roman and late gothic styles, so frequent in Provence. Next to the château – a Protestant temple built in the very beginning of XIX century (if you know a little bit the history of Lourmarin, you will be surprised to see the temple in this village). This temple possesses one of the biggest organs in the region. The lovers of the fountains will find four in Lourmarin: the fountain of the château, which imitates antique style, was constructed in 1930 by Louis Didron, one of the young sculptors, spending his summer in Lourmarin. The fountain of three masks in front of the temple has the same author and was constructed after the World War II, when the sculptor returned to Lourmarin. The centre of the village has two older fountains: the fountain of the square and the fountain of the church. Considering the size of the village you will not miss other architectural landmarks: the belfry of XVII century and the ancient windmill."
Source: Visit2provence.com http://www.visit2provence.com/english/destinations/urban/lourmarin,21.html