Free walking tours in Cadenet and what to see

Must-sees

Cadenet is a village in the southern Luberon, between Lourmarin and the Durance Valley. Its houses climb the hillside up to the site of the old castle, of which ruins and rock-cut dwellings remain, with a wide view over the Durance, the Luberon and, on clear days, Sainte-Victoire. In the lower part of the village stands the statue of the Drummer of Arcole, dedicated to a young drummer boy born in the village who became famous in Napoleon’s Italian campaigns.

The church of Saint-Étienne has a treasury room that is worth a visit. In the 19th century Cadenet lived from basket-making, thanks to the willow that grew by the Durance, and a museum devoted to the craft tells that story. The village’s fountains and wash houses invite an unhurried stroll. All around, vineyards and orchards fill the plain down to the river.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Cadenet. On Civitatis the options revolve around the countryside: a grape-treading experience on a local estate and a truffle tour, one of Provence’s star products. The village is easy to explore on your own, and the neighbouring Luberon villages are easy to combine on a trip by car.

How long to spend

The village, the climb to the castle and the basket-making museum can be seen in a morning. If you add one of the wine or truffle activities, allow the whole day. With two or three days you can use it as a base for the southern Luberon: Lourmarin and Ansouis are very close, and a walking route links the castles of Cadenet and Lourmarin. Aix-en-Provence is less than an hour away.

Where to stay

In the village there are guesthouses, apartments and the odd small hotel, with everything within walking distance. On the outskirts, among the vines, there are plenty of country cottages and bastides with pools, very peaceful if you are driving. Lourmarin, a few minutes away, has more charming hotels, and Pertuis has services and practical accommodation.