In winter, around La Roque-d’Anthéron, you visit Silvacane Abbey, Lourmarin and Château La Coste without the crowds, hike freely in the massifs and, in December, enjoy the Aix Christmas markets and the Ménerbes truffles.
What to do in winter around La Roque-d’Anthéron: our 8 ideas
Winter empties the roads, not the sights. We live here all year round, and between November and March is when we most gladly recommend the area to couples: low light, quiet villages, tables available without booking three weeks ahead. Here are our ideas, all within an hour of the house.
- Silvacane Abbey, a 12th-century Cistercian abbey, right in the village.
- Lourmarin, its Renaissance château and its Friday morning market.
- Château La Coste, its art and architecture walk through the vineyards.
- Hiking in the Chaîne des Côtes and the Luberon, with no access restrictions.
- The Aix-en-Provence Christmas market and its santons fair.
- The Ménerbes truffle market, at the end of December.
- An olive oil mill in Cadenet, during the new oil season.
- An evening in, with a private whirlpool bath inside your suite.
One calendar tip first: on 25 December and 1 January, almost every site is closed. Keep those two days for good food and rest.
Sites open in winter: opening times at a glance
The area’s three main sites stay open in winter, with reduced hours. We gathered the information published for the 2026-2027 season. It sometimes changes without notice: a phone call the day before saves a wasted trip.
| Site | From the house | Winter opening | Our tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silvacane Abbey | In the village | 1 October to 31 March, Tuesday to Sunday; closed on Mondays, 25 December and 1 January | Come early in the afternoon, when the sun reaches the cloister |
| Château de Lourmarin | 25 min | November and December: 10:30 am-12:45 pm and 2:30-5:15 pm; closed 25 December and 1 January | Combine it with the Friday morning market |
| Château La Coste | 25 min | November-December: 10 am-6 pm, daily; 21 January to 31 March (2026 calendar): 10 am-5 pm | Allow 2 to 3 hours and wear good shoes |
| Lourmarin market | 25 min | All year, Fridays from 8 am to 1 pm | In winter, you can stroll freely between the stalls |
| Bastide du Laval oil mill (Cadenet) | 10 min | All year, Monday to Saturday, 10 am-1 pm and 3-7 pm | Free self-guided visit and tasting |
Early January, take care: in 2026, the Château La Coste listing showed no opening hours between 1 and 20 January, and the Château de Lourmarin’s January-to-March hours are not yet published. Check directly with the sites before setting off.
Why winter is the best season for hiking
Winter gives the hills back to walkers. From 1 June to 30 September, access to the forest massifs of the Bouches-du-Rhône is regulated daily according to wildfire risk, and some are closed on windy days. From October to May, these restrictions lift: you pick your trail without checking the daily map.
From La Roque-d’Anthéron, the Chaîne des Côtes offers the Baume and Castellas valleys loop, through oak and Aleppo pine. The banks of the Durance suit flat walks, on foot or by bike. Further afield, the Cedar Forest above Bonnieux is spectacular under a clear winter sky.
One site is missing this winter: the Gorges de Régalon, between Mérindol and Cheval-Blanc. According to Provenceweb, they have been closed since October 2025 after rockfalls, until further notice. The luberon.fr guide does not mention this closure. Check with Cheval-Blanc town hall before going, and never enter them in rain: the canyon floor fills quickly.
In practice, set off late and come back early. The sun sets around 5 pm in December, and the temperature drops as soon as shade fills the valleys. A windproof jacket is usually enough, as the mistral matters more than the cold.
Silvacane Abbey and Lourmarin: heritage without the crowds
Heritage is best visited in winter. Silvacane Abbey, founded in the 12th century, is one of the “three Provençal sisters” of Cistercian architecture, alongside Sénanque and Le Thoronet. In winter, you often have it almost to yourselves. Full-price admission is €8.50.
Stay on in the village afterwards. The La Roque-d’Anthéron market takes place on Thursday mornings, and the Sainte-Anne de Goiron chapel offers an open view over the Durance valley and the first ridges of the Luberon. The tourist office, located in the Centre Marcel Pagnol in winter, opens Wednesday to Saturday: it can tell you about the village’s Christmas events.
Lourmarin changes face out of season. The Friday market, packed in July, becomes a village market again: olive oil, goat’s cheese, olives, sourdough bread. The Château de Lourmarin, the first Renaissance château in Provence, stays open daily in November and December, with a lunch break. Take the chance to walk up to the cemetery, where Albert Camus is buried.
Looking for a hilltop village without queues of cars? Ansouis, 25 minutes away, and Cucuron, with its plane-tree-lined pond, are easy to explore on a weekday afternoon. Find more of our favourite places in our guide to things to do in La Roque-d’Anthéron and around.
Château La Coste: contemporary art in the vineyards in winter
Château La Coste is our favourite outing on a cold, bright day. This wine estate in Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, 25 minutes away, offers a 2-to-3-hour walk among more than 40 works by artists and architects, including the art centre designed by Tadao Ando.
In winter, the bare vines open up the views. The pavilions and sculptures stand out more clearly on the hillsides. The walk costs €15 full price in 2026, and it goes up and down: wear walking shoes.
Keep an hour for a tasting of the estate’s wines, and book if you want to have lunch there. Winter hours close the walk at 5 or 6 pm depending on the period, leaving time to get back to the house before dark.
The estate pairs well with a half-day plan. In the morning, the art walk. In the afternoon, the Bastide du Laval oil mill in Cadenet or a detour to Lourmarin. You complete the day without going back through Aix.
December in Provence: santons, Christmas markets and truffles
December is the richest month of the Provençal winter. Three events are worth the trip from La Roque-d’Anthéron.
The Aix-en-Provence Christmas market sets up on the Cours Mirabeau. In 2025, it had around fifty artisan chalets, from 14 November to 31 December, with the santons fair (traditional Provençal nativity figurines) on the Esplanade Cézanne. The 2026 dates usually follow the same calendar, to be confirmed with the Aix tourist office. Allow 35 minutes by car and park outside the centre.
The Ménerbes truffle market, on Place de l’Horloge, takes place at the end of December. Its 29th edition was held on Sunday 28 December 2025, from 9 am to 6 pm, with truffle growers, truffle products, a Christmas concert and fireworks. It is the gourmet outing of the winter, 55 minutes from the house.
Closer by, the Bastide du Laval in Cadenet opens its olive oil mill all year round. A self-guided visit of the olive grove and mill, then a free tasting of oils and wines: an hour is enough, and you leave with your Christmas present.
Our tip as hosts: for Christmas, give a night away rather than an object. Contact us to offer a stay in one of our suites.
What to do when it rains or the mistral blows?
Rainy or very windy days are easy to manage around La Roque-d’Anthéron. Aix-en-Provence has the indoor visits: Cézanne’s studio, the Musée Granet and the Hôtel de Caumont. North of Aix, the Camp des Milles memorial site takes half a day and leaves a lasting impression.
The southern Luberon wine estates also welcome visitors in winter, often by appointment. Call that morning: an indoor tasting beats a walk cut short by the mistral.
And sometimes the best outing is staying in. That is why we fitted each suite with an indoor Jacuzzi® whirlpool bath, sheltered from the cold. Both the Indus Suite and the Cosy Suite have one. Our pool is open all year round, but it is not heated: in winter, you admire it from the terrace.
How long to stay and where to sleep in winter?
Two nights are enough for a full winter weekend. On Saturday, Lourmarin or Château La Coste. On Sunday, Silvacane, then a walk along the Durance before heading home. A third night leaves time for Aix-en-Provence or Ménerbes.
Short days change the logic of your stay: it is better to sleep at the centre of your plans than in the best-known village. From La Roque-d’Anthéron, Lourmarin and Château La Coste are 25 minutes away, Aix 35 minutes and Avignon 50 minutes. You are back before dark, whichever site you visit.
Winter tourism is growing in France. According to Insee, the French national statistics office, hotels and other collective accommodation recorded 87.6 million nights during the winter 2026 season, from December to March, up 1.8% year on year. The Luberon itself stays quiet: that is the whole point of the season.
At Les Champs Gallone, our two suites welcome couples from 5 pm to 7 pm, homemade breakfast included, for €150 to €200 a night. Check availability and book direct.
FAQ: winter around La Roque-d’Anthéron
What is the weather like in winter in La Roque-d’Anthéron?
Winter is generally mild and sunny, but nights can drop below freezing and the mistral makes it feel colder. Pack layers and a windproof jacket rather than a heavy coat.
Is Silvacane Abbey open in winter?
Yes. From 1 October to 31 March, it opens Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays, 25 December and 1 January. Exact hours can be confirmed on +33 4 42 50 41 69.
Can you hike in the Luberon in winter?
Yes, and it is the best time: the wildfire-related access rules for the massifs apply from 1 June to 30 September. In winter, set off early, be back before 5 pm and avoid gorges after rain.
Are the Gorges de Régalon open?
They have been reported closed since October 2025 after rockfalls, with no reopening date announced. Check with Cheval-Blanc town hall before you go.
Where can you find truffles near La Roque-d’Anthéron?
The Ménerbes truffle market, at the end of December, is the Luberon’s best-known event. Ménerbes is also home to the Maison de la truffe et du vin du Luberon, which co-organises the market.
What to do on Christmas Day around Aix and the Luberon?
Few sites open on 25 December. Book lunch at a good local restaurant instead, take a walk along the Durance or through the vineyards, and keep visits for the 24th or 26th.
Should you book restaurants in winter in the Luberon?
Yes, for the opposite reason to summer: out of season, many restaurants open fewer days, and some take their annual holiday in January. Call before you go.
Sources
- Insee, G. Valaison, “Saison touristique d’hiver 2026”, Insee Focus no. 382, 29 April 2026: insee.fr
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Tourisme, “Visite libre du parcours Art et Architecture, Château La Coste”, 2026 listing: provence-alpes-cotedazur.com
- MyProvence (Bouches-du-Rhône department), “Abbaye de Silvacane”, listing consulted October 2026: myprovence.fr
- Luberon.fr, “Château de Lourmarin”, updated 25 November 2025: luberon.fr
- L’Écho du mardi, “Le traditionnel marché de la truffe revient à Ménerbes”, 23 December 2025: echodumardi.com
- Made in Marseille, “Noël à Aix-en-Provence : toutes les animations, marchés et illuminations”, 7 November 2025: madeinmarseille.net
- Provenceweb, “Les gorges de Régalon”, consulted October 2026: provenceweb.fr
