Lacoste is a small historic town in the Vaucluse Department of Provence in the south of France between Ménerbes and Bonnieux, both of which are approximately 6km away and lying between the Petit Luberon Hills to the south and the River Calavon to the north.

This is a protected area forming part of The Luberon Regional Natural Park. Lacoste is most well-known for the impressive chateau which belonged to the Marquis de Sade in the Eighteenth Century and is now owned by Pierre Cardin.

The panoramic views to the hills extend from Lacoste itself to the North West across the valley and surrounding countryside towards the north and east.
The Abbaye of Saint Hilaire, which is a notable tourist attraction is only a short distance away, as is a fabulous 2 Michelin starred restaurant – Edouard Loubet at Domaine de Capelongue in Bonnieux. Renowned luxury hotel La Bastide de Gordes is a short drive from Lacoste and boasts a Sisley Spa and Pierre Gagnaire gastromic restaurant and bistro.

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Distances by road (km)


Bonnieux 6 | Beaumettes 9 | Buoux 12 | Gargas 12 | Gordes 12 | Goult 5 | Joucas 11 | Lauris 10
Ménerbes 8 | Mérindol 12 | Oppède 13 | Puget 9 | Puyvert 11 | Roussillon ~ 8 km | Saint-Pantaléon ~ 8 km



The nearest supermarkets are in Apt and Coustellet, both villages having excellent large markets also. (Apt on a Saturday and Coustellet on a Sunday. Coustellet also has a Wednesday night farmers' market during the summer months).

Main train station: Avignon
Largest airport: Marseille
Autoroute access: Cavaillon A7

The Eurostar/TGV from London runs direct to Avignon during the summer. The Mediterranean coast and Marseille lie to the south approximately 100 km away. The Port of Marseille is readily accessible via the Autoroute A7 and Cavaillon. The principal town in the locality is Cavaillon, which is some 17.9km away via the D3 and D2 roads and it is here where most of the usual amenities can be found.


The local amenities such as a range of restaurants and small shops can be found at Ménerbes and Lacoste.

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Lacoste is a village of ancient stone buildings connected by narrow ‘calade’ pebble surfaced streets and which has a Tuesday market.
It is set in an agricultural area of fertile plains and picturesque hills where fruit growing activities, including cherries
and the well-known Cavaillon melon take place alongside the vineyards.

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An array of bakeries, cafes, restaurants, galleries and artists workshops thrive around the village. The small but lively farmers
market on Tuesday morning is a great source of fresh produce and local products.

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The interior of the village church.

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You can still stand today, at the Southern rim of the castle wall where the Marquis and Marquise de Sade had their apartments, and enjoy the view they had from their bedroom windows. Looking straight down and east you will see, for miles on end, groves of pink and white cherry trees, budding vineyards interspersed with crimson poppies and violet Judas trees. Southward and two miles beyond, the village of Bonnieux (pictured here) tumbles down its hillock toward the Lubéron range, whose slopes yield some of the Vaucluse's loveliest wines.

Looking left and north, majestic forests of spruce and oak, more hilltop hamlets, and orchards redolent with rosemary, thyme, and lavender stretch into the distance toward the snow-capped peaks of the Ventoux range. Even a sadist could appreciate the beauty! But the chateau is now owned by the Pierre Cardin Foundation and is used to host his annual programme of musical and theatrical events.

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