Saignon, Pretty Village in the Luberon

One Sunday morning we were meeting cousin Annick to explore some Luberon villages. As we were walking to our car to go meet her, we ran into an American couple we had met earlier in the week. They were leaving Sablet to return home so we chatted for a few minutes about their time in Provence.

They said they loved Sablet and had visited some of our favorite villages including Vaison-la-Romaine, Roussillon and Cassis but to my surprise, they said their favorite village was Saignon, a village in the Luberon we knew nothing about.

We met Annick in Bonnieux (more about that visit later) and since she didn't know Saignon either, we decided to go there. Saignon is about one and one-half hours drive southeast of Sablet near Apt, about 15 minutes from Bonnieux. Our first sight of Saignon as we arrived on the road from Bonnieux was a church.

The village of Saignon is perched at the top of a hill behind a rock with a great view over the plains.

Like most villages of France, Saignon has a war memorial dedicated "Aux Enfants de Saignon Morts Pour la France" - To the Children of Saignon Dead for France, near the ramparts with a great view over the Luberon.

We walked down the narrow streets of peaceful Saignon stopping frequently to

admire pretty houses with colorful shutters and potted gardens.

The mairie - town hall festooned with flags.

Across the way is the 12th century Romanesque church of Notre-Dame de Pitié.

The interior of Notre-Dame de Pitié. The church is also known as Saint Mary of Saignon.

A tree-shaded café.

The main square of Saignon with its ancient fountain.

The tall clock tower built in 1584 against a back drop of vivid blue Provençal sky.

Saignon is full of pretty houses such as this charming stone house next to one with pretty blue shutters.

The church of Notre-Dame de Pitié stands over the village.

A Saignon house with stone walls that are covered with green ivy.

The path through the stone archway leads up to the castle - chapel and rock of Saignon.

The castle - chapel which blends in with the rock of Saignon.

Wife Shirley enjoying the panoramic view over the plains.

The view from the rock of Saignon is breathtaking on a clear day.

More scenic views from Saignon.

As we were walking to our car, we came upon this local man making lavender wands. He had a sign which read "no photo" and underneath that "photo 5 Euro". I snapped a quick picture (I did it on the sly so I wouldn't have to pay) while Shirley and Annick chatted with him.

There is not much commercial activity in Saignon but I would visit anyway as the village is most charming and worthwhile to visit if you are in the Luberon. Enjoy your visit.