Bonnieux

Geography

Bonnieux is one of the many historic "hill villages" in the region. Dating back to Roman times, it rests on top of the Luberon hills casting a watchful gaze across the rest of the valley. Next to the village is a cedar forest that began with trees imported from North Africa during the Napoleonic era. It sits opposite Mont Ventoux, other notable villages in the area include Ménerbes, Lacoste, Roussillon and Gordes.

The commune is traversed by the river Calavon.

History

The region has been occupied since Neolithic times, with evidence scattered throughout the Luberon. Monuments dating from Roman times exist near the village including the Pont Julien built in 3 BC located only 3 miles to the north. A monastery was first built at that location in the 6th century, and walls were in place by the 10th century. The town reached a maximum population in the mid 19th century, with 2804 people in 1841. It has since declined to less than half its peak with 1363 in 2004.

Culture

The 2006 Ridley Scott film A Good Year was filmed at Château La Canorgue in Bonnieux. In 2023, an episode of the Netflix television series Emily in Paris was filmed in Bonnieux.

Bonnieux has three Michelin starred restaurants since 2025, an outstanding accomplishment for a very small village.

References

References

1. (13 September 2022). "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises.
2. (December 2025). "Populations de référence 2023: 84 Vaucluse". [[INSEE]].
3. "Domain organic vineyard rhône valley Provence".
4. "'Emily in Paris' Season 3: All About the Stunning Real-Life Places the Show was Filmed". People.
5. "13 of the best Emily in Paris locations to visit".