A town that can walk the talk

Friday, 9-Sept. A lot of things in this life get rated and ranked. Frequently, reputations are overrated. Then, inevitably, the actual experience is disappointing.

Fortunately, the village of Lourmarin is the real deal. Over and over, this town was rated as one of the best hilltop hamlets. Again. And again. 

First, there’s the scenic drive through the hills north of Aix. 

Cruise past vineyards that look like screensavers.

Next, the castle Château de Lourmarin greets you just outside the village. 

Take the back path or go up some well-worn steps…

And you arrive at a garden pond with huge koi. (How the hawks and eagles haven’t “visited” that water beats me.)

Finally, the village itself. 

Inside joke. Andrea’s family nickname is “bird” or “birdie”. Translate the sign.

Now, of course, every town has a functional, less photogenic part of it. Sure. Or that not all the residents there exist to make your stay magical. Got it. Yes, yes, no place is perfect.

I mean, here is a fountain with three heads vomiting. 

Actually, the “vomit” coming out of the three heads is just evidence of hard water minerals covered in moss. It looks charming in the spring, I’m told.

Nonetheless, the illusion is so thorough, you don’t care where the waste treatment plant and landfill are.