Hidden Gem in the Luberon: What It’s Like to Stay in Goult, France
Staying in Goult felt like discovering our own quiet corner of Provence
When planning our visit to the Provence region of France, we knew we had a wide range of home base options – from vibrant cities to sleepy hilltop villages. Once we narrowed our focus to the Luberon, we were drawn to the idea of staying in one of its postcard-perfect towns. In the end, we chose to stay in Goult, a tiny village about 45 minutes east of Avignon.
Staying in Goult was a bit of a gamble – less famous than neighbors like Gordes or Roussillon – but it turned out to be one of the most rewarding choices of our trip. It let us experience small-town Provence at its best: a walkable village with a charming general store, a handful of quality restaurants, and friendly locals.
Best of all, Goult made the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the Luberon and even parts of the southern coast.
Keep reading for our full take on what it’s like to stay in Goult, France – including what to expect, what we loved, and tips for making the most of your time in this peaceful Provencal village.
Why Should You Stay in Goult?
With a population of about one thousand, Goult sits right in the heart of the Luberon, with easy access to a number of popular destinations by car:
- Gordes (15 minutes)
- Roussillon (15 minutes)
- L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (20 minutes)
- Avignon (45 minutes)
- Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (45 minutes)
- Aix-en-Provence (60 minutes)
Unlike some of its neighbors, Goult hasn’t tipped into over-tourism. In late June – peak lavender and market season – it never felt crowded to us. No tour buses. No crush of people on every corner. Just local rhythm, steady and slow.
We wanted a base that felt livable, not just visitable. Goult delivered.
We used Goult as a calm base, then took day trips to nearby highlights (and even further locales, like Calanque d’En Vau). On that note, we do recommend renting a car if you plan to stay in Goult. The roads are easy to navigate, and renting a car in Provence is easy. As a result, we never felt far from anything.
Everyday Magic: Goult’s Essentials
Goult might be small, but it has everything you need – and a few surprises that make you want to stay longer than planned.
Groceries
The local epicerie (grocery store) was our go-to stop every day. It’s small but stocked with all the essentials, including a tucked-away produce room filled with seasonal gems. We’d grab fresh tomatoes, fruit, and bright oranges to make our own juice in the mornings.
The boulangerie was unfortunately closed for the week during our stay (heartbreaking!), but we still found excellent bread and pastries at the epicerie and in nearby towns. In France, you’re never too far from fresh baked bread!
The fromagerie was a highlight, thanks to a kind shopkeeper who not only spoke English, but also explained different regional cheeses and made thoughtful recommendations based on cheeses we liked.
With food this good, charcuterie board dinners were a go-to of ours during our stay in Goult. We love them for their simplicity and the way they let local ingredients shine.
Dining Out
Despite being such a small village, Goult has a surprising number of great restaurants to choose from when dining out, which factored into our decision on whether to stay in Goult. We love to be able to walk to dinner in the evening, rather than getting in a car or bus.
You can choose from casual eateries like Café de la Poste or Viveur de Pizz (delicious pizza!), or fancies spots such as La Terrasse, Le Carillon, or Restaurant La Bartavelle.
If you’re staying for three or four nights, you won’t run out of places to eat. And if you do want to cook, it’s easy to stock up, with larger grocery stores just 10–15 minutes away by car.
Wandering Town
One of our favorite things to do in Goult? Just walk.
Each day – sometimes multiple times per day – we’d wander up through narrow lanes to the top of the village, where a small clearing opened into a sweeping view of the Luberon. From there, we could see all the way to Gordes, and even spot Mont Ventoux (made famous by the Tour de France) on a clear day.
There’s something incredibly grounding about climbing through a sleepy village and seeing that kind of vastness open up before you.
Near this same viewpoint, we also found Moulin de Jerusalem, a windmill which dates from the 17th century.
Another day, we decided to walk to Lumieres, the small village just below Goult. No real agenda – we just followed the road to town. We ended up picking up some ham, cheese, and bread and had a picnic outdoors. It was simple and slow and perfect.
That’s the beauty of basing yourself in a place like this: the small choices become the memorable ones.
Fête de Goult (an unexpected surprise)
We were lucky to be in town during the Fête de Goult, a lively summer celebration that brings the whole village together.
While Goult usually feels relaxed and quiet, the festival added just the right amount of energy – live music, communal meals, and locals filling the square well into the evening.
It didn’t feel like a tourist spectacle – it felt like we were witnessing a true slice of community life.
Where to Stay in Goult
Goult doesn’t have many hotels – in fact, we’re not sure it has any! But honestly, that’s part of its charm.
We stayed in an Airbnb apartment in Goult that we still daydream about. The space itself was full of rustic charm, all thoughtfully designed by our host. But the best part? The shared pool and patio area, tucked inside a manmade tropical oasis – a total gift during the Provencal heat.
If you can book this apartment, we wholeheartedly recommend it (and no, we don’t earn a dime for saying that). It’s one of the most unique apartment rentals we’ve ever stayed in.
That said, if it’s not available, there are several other apartment rentals in Goult to choose from. As long as you’re staying within the village, you’ll get to enjoy all the same benefits – walkability, peaceful vibes, and that irresistible small-town rhythm that makes Goult such a gem.
Why Goult Worked for Us (& Might Work for You, Too)
Goult struck a rare balance for us: it had local life without tourist fatigue, quiet corners without feeling remote, and just enough to keep us engaged. It was the perfect place to wake up, adventure out from during the day, and return to for a calm evening at the end of the day.
If you’re looking for a Luberon town to stay in – especially if you value stillness, soft adventure, and a sense of place – this one might be exactly what you’re after.
Thinking of staying in Goult? Here are a few quick tips to make the most of your visit:
- Book early, especially if you’re hoping for a place with a pool in summer. Rentals are limited, and the good ones go fast.
- Rent a car if you’re staying more than 2–3 days. Public transport is sparse, and Goult is an ideal base for day trips across the region.
- Don’t skip the local epicerie – it’s tiny but mighty, with everything from fresh produce to local wine.
- Leave space in your day to wander. Some of our favorite moments came from simply walking with no plan and letting the village unfold.
Final Thoughts: Should You Stay in Goult?
For us, staying in Goult was more than a convenient base. It was a slow, grounding experience in the heart of Provence. We came for the location and charm, but we stayed for the rhythm: quiet mornings, market runs, slow walks, and evenings under the Luberon sky.
If you’re drawn to small-town France with soul, where you can explore by day and truly unwind by night, Goult might be your perfect match. It’s not the flashiest stop in the Luberon – and that’s exactly why we loved it.