A Guide to the Best Things to do in Lacoste in Provence

Last Updated on 16th April 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Surrounded by a sea of lavender blooms and clinging to the cliff face the charming village of Lacoste feels like a step back in time. Medieval cobbled streets meander through rustic houses and you could easily get lost for several hours admiring the views, snapping photos of the architecture, and enjoying a drink at one of the cafés in town.

Although I have been visiting Provence since I was a baby (a trip to the south of France to see friends was one of the first ever trips my parents took me on), I only recently discovered Lacoste for the first time and am pretty sad I didn’t know about this delightful village earlier. Nevertheless, I will definitely be back during my future Provence adventures.

Getting to Lacoste

The best way if you want to see more of Provence beyond the big cities and towns like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, and Marseille, is to hire your own mode of transportation.

Buses and trains are few and far in this rural area of l’Hexagone and so the only real way to get around is by booking your own car. This way you can set your own schedule and visit smaller off the beaten towns such as Lacoste. Check car rental comparison prices here.

How long do you need in Lacoste?

To be honest you don’t really need more than an hour or so to discover all that this little Provençal village has to offer and grab a drink at one of the cafés in town. Lacoste could also be a great base from which to explore the wider region if you’re looking for a quiet, picturesque town.

Though I personally visited during the afternoon as that’s all that our schedule would allow, I would say that the best time to visit is at golden hour when you can enjoy candy colours dance through the sky and across the endless lavender fields surrounding the town.

Best things to do in Lacoste

Step through the Gate of the Guards

Known locally as the Portail de la Garde, walking through this 14th century piece of history is as if stepping back in time, straight into the heart of the charming medieval village of Lacoste.

It’s pretty hard to miss as it’s the entrance to the village, but what a way to enter! This crumbling golden hued stone arch is just a small part of the walled fortifications that line this enchanting pocket of Provence.

Wander the medieval streets

Truth be told, as with many medieval settlements in Provence, the best thing to do in Lacoste is simply to wander around with no real aim and allow the town to reveal itself to you. Just be sure to have your camera or phone fully charged as you won’t be able to help yourself from snapping photos of all the little architectural details!

The town centre is completely pedestrianised meaning that you can’t take a car into the centre. I would recommend wearing comfortable shoes like sneakers because the cobblestones are pretty uneven and you’ll also be walking up and down quite a few stairs thanks to Lacoste’s hillside position.

Visit the 12th century church, Saint-Trophime 

Dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries this church sits just outside the village walls. Inside you can see beautiful frescos and its romanesque interior, and it is also the sanctuary and burial place of the former lords of Lacoste.

Admire the views

Of course, Lacoste’s mesmerising position atop of a steep hill overlooking the countryside not only meant that it was in a great location to defend itself in times gone by, but now means that the town provides stunning views onto the countryside today. There are several viewpoints scattered across town, some of which even have plaques detailing local history and points of interest.

Chateau Lacoste

Lacoste is what is known as a ‘Village Perché,’ often meaning for the most part to be fortified settlements dating from the Middle Ages, that are perched on top of a relief. At the top of the village stands a true jewel of the Luberon area, the château de Lacoste.

Dating back to the 11th century, the castle ruins sit atop of the village, boasting of breathtaking panoramic views of the provencal landscape that stretch far and wide, this is an absolute must-see chateau!

Once owned by the infamous Marquis de Sade, the castle was torn apart in the 1790s amid the French Revolution. Villagers looted the stones to build their own homes and as a result the castle was left abandoned for 150 years.

It wasn’t until 2001 when the well known designer Pierre Cardin (yes, if you are an Emily in Paris fan you may be wondering the same thing…but there’s no concrete evidence to suggest the character is based on this designer, although pretty similar) bought the castle and turned it into a venue to host musical arts festivals, the ‘Festival de Lacoste’ happens annually.

After a steep ascent up to the ruins, visitors can enjoy wandering around freely and take in the spectacular views. The only part which you can’t see is the renovated central section which was formerly Cardin’s home.

Visit the market

If you’re looking for an uber local activity to do in Lacoste, then it’s worth checking out the market. This takes place in the place de l’église, north of the village and happens every Wednesday from 9am-12pm.

Vendors sell a range of vegetables, meats and all kinds of mouthwatering local produce that you’ll want to get your hands on! It’s the perfect place to pick things up and get together a little hamper for an afternoon picnic.

Return to 1856

Step back in time and into the furnished 19th century home of the Lacoste family, Retour en 1856 is a living history experience. A tiny exhibit that shows what life was like living within an abode of just 786 square feet!

Rue des Artistes

Lacoste is an artists haven, in fact since the 15th century artists from all over the world have made the pilgrimage this quaint little town purely for its beauty!

Home to a campus of the prestigious art university SCAD (The Savannah College of Art and Design) where students can develop their artistic practice among the magnificent surrounding within this idyllic medieval village.

Rue des Artistes is the creative central hub of Lacoste, where visitors can admire artists at work!

There’s also sculptures to see while visiting Château Lacoste, at the top of you can marvel at some of the beautiful bronze cast sculptures that sit in front of stunning views.

Sip on wine at Café de France

Sip on the finest of French wine as you sit on the rooftop terrace or Café France, overlooking at panoramic views of the Luberon valley, there really isn’t anything more romantic!

Admire the bell tower

Crowning the village of Lacoste and offering stunning views if you climb up the stairs to see it, is the cast iron bell sat in its tower. This picturesque and active bell tower rings on the hour, every hour, and also rings one more time 5 minutes later…just incase!

Visit a lavender field

Stretches of fields upon fields of beautiful countryside, surround Lacoste, so it’s definitely worth stopping by at one of the many lavender fields nearby. The sweet smelling purple haze of this gorgeous flower is iconic to the region of Provence, read our guide on the best lavender fields and where to find them.

Where to stay in Lacoste

If you want to wake up each day and enjoy the beauty of a medieval village surrounded by fields of lavender and historic architecture, then you can’t go wrong by basing yourself within Lacoste for a few days. Here are some of the best places to stay in Lacoste (based on location and web-reviews):

Bastide la Melonnerie: This quiet and cosy retreat is located just a short distance from Lacoste and boasts amenities such as an outdoor seasonal swimming pool and garden views. Check prices and availability here.

Cafe de France: If you want to stay in the very heart of all the action, then you’ll want to book yourself into this hotel as it’s one of the only accommodations in the heart of Lacoste. Amenities include a restaurant onsite and a continental breakfast. Check prices and availability here.

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