By Maryanna Gabriel
“We loved the vines – the ordered regularity of them against the sprawl of the
mountain, the way they changed from bright green to darker green to yellow and
red as spring and summer turned to autumn.” Peter Mayle
 |
| Restored Houses |
 |
| Walled Ramparts |
 |
| Ancient Architecture |
 |
| Maison De La Truffes Et Du Vin |
 |
| Vineyards In The Valley Below |
Menerbes is situated on a hill and is a charming medieval village
considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in France. It overlooks the
Luberon Valley and is flanked by Mont de Vaucluse and Mont Ventoux and the foot
hills of the French Alps. Peter Mayle’s book “A Year In Provence” wrote of life
here and the Provence Guide states “Menerbes has survived centuries of strife
and Peter Mayle remarkably well.” The former was because of religious warring between
the Catholics and the Protestants with extensive cannonball damage and the
latter certainly accelerated a migration and tourist influx contributing to the restoration
of the ancient buildings. There is an air of wealth amid the stones
and shutters and one can look out from the walled ramparts to the vineyards in the valley below. We went for a wine tasting, of course, at “Maison De La Truffes Et Du
Vin”, a pleasant experience. Menerbes is
very close to the de Sade chateau and was home to Picasso’s Dora Maar and other
notorious individuals. I enjoyed a quiet walk through the town to the very top
where the uncomplaining residents there enjoyed the best view in the local cemetery.
