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Les Olivettes is situated in the well-known village of Lourmarin which is widely recognised as one of France's most beautiful villages.
 
For generations, Lourmarin has served as a refuge for writers, artists and poets. In the 1960's it was the country retreat and last home of Nobel prize winning author, Albert Camus.

 

 

 

 

The Château de Lourmarin, considered one of the most impressive Renaissance edifices in the region, was restored and transformed into a private residence in the 1920's. Later donated to the University of Aix-en-Provence, it is now administered as a Foundation for the Arts which gives scholarships and provides Sabbatical Residences for young artists and writers from around the world.

The Château also hosts a variety of conferences and chamber music concerts every week during the summer, and often during the rest of the year.

 

 

 

Lourmarin's reputation as an 'haut lieu' of gastronomy and elegant dining has grown in the past several years and the village now attracts lovers of fine food from all over the world. There are now a total of fourteen excellent restaurants and four Café-Brasseries.

Three of these restaurants are now included in the prestigious Michelin guide, and five more are listed in one or more of the other respected French dining guides. There are, indeed, extraordinary dining opportunities in this village of 1000 year-round residents !