Gordes is the Luberon village everyone thinks of when they picture Provence: a stack of pale stone houses clinging to a rocky spur, with cypresses, dry-stone walls, and a wide view over the valley. It is undeniably beautiful, especially from the approach road at sunset, and also one of the busiest villages in the region.
The village itself is best handled slowly. Wander the lanes around the castle, look into the church, then escape the main square before the tour groups settle in. The Village des Bories and Sénanque Abbey are close enough to fold into the same visit, and together they make Gordes more than just a famous viewpoint.