"A Good Year": A New Movie Set in the Luberon

Our family anxiously awaited the release of a new movie filmed in the Luberon: "A Good Year," directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe. The movie is based on a book of the same name by Peter Mayle, author of "A Year in Provence." We were first in line at our local theatre on November 10, the day the movie was released in the USA. We especially wanted to see the beauty of the Luberon on the big screen.

Much of "A Good Year" was filmed in the Luberon, a dramatic contrast to other scenes shot in the bustling city of London. Oscar winner Crowe plays Max Skinner, a successful investment expert, who inherits a dilapidated vineyard in Provence after the death of his uncle. The Château la Canorgue, about a mile from Bonnieux, was used as the site of the chateau and vineyard Max inherits.

Bonnieux

Looking toward Bonnieux from the vineyards of Château la Canorgue

On Location in the Luberon

Peter Mayle set his book "A Good Year" in the Luberon, telling a story about a British investment whiz who inherits a vineyard in Provence from an uncle he hadn't seen in years. Director Ridley Scott and Mayle are friends who both own homes in the Luberon. The book quickly evolved into a film starring Russell Crowe, Albert Finney and a beautiful French actress named Marion Cotillard.

The cast and crew of "A Good Year" spent nine weeks in the Luberon in the fall of 2005, many of them basing in the village of Bonnieux. As a result, several very familiar spots in Provence and the Luberon are featured in the movie, many of which we visit during The Luberon Experience.

The filming locations in Provence include:

Château la Canorgue - the château and vineyard Max inherits and the main location for the movie. This acclaimed Côtes du Luberon winery is well-known for its fine organic wine. The chateau is located about a mile out of Bonnieux, and we visit there for a tasting during our Luberon Experience week. During our September 2006 visit, Nathalie Margan -- the winemaker's daughter -- told us they had put in the swimming pool just for the movie and then covered it back over and replanted grapevines. From Canorgue there's a beautiful view looking west toward Bonnieux and the Petit Luberon, the village just vaguely identifiable in the distance. This perspective was used several times in the movie.

The formal gardens at Château la Canorgue

The village of Gordes – seen on its hilltop near the beginning of the movie when Max's plane seems to be landing right in the Luberon. The plane must have been put in digitally! We stop at the viewpoint to take photos admire this magnificent view of Gordes on our way to its Tuesday morning market.

The Marseille Airport and rental car area - where Max arrives and departs and picks up his Smart car. This is one of two locations where we meet and return travelers who join us for The Luberon Experience.

Vineyards between Oppede and Menerbes - where Max is lost in his Smart Car looking for the chateau. This spot is identifiable by road signs. We may just pass this way during our week.

A vineyard just beneath Lacoste - another spot where Max is lost trying to find the chateau. The ruined castle of the Marquis de Sade (now owned by designer Pierre Cardin) is visible on the top of the village. We visit Lacoste on Monday afternoon during our week.

In the vineyards below Lacoste

The entrance to Canorgue – seen on the road between Bonnieux and the Pont Julien as Max first arrives at his inherited chateau. The stone marker is Canorgue's actual marker, though the name has been altered for the movie.

The main square in Gordes - where Max goes in circles in the Smart car looking for the notaire's office. This is the meeting place for our group after lunch on Tuesday.

Hôtel le Renaissance in Gordes - Fanny Chanel's bistro and another location seen several times in the movie. This hotel/restaurant is tucked away in the corner of a small square next to the château/tourist office entrance. Charley actually spotted Nathalie Margan (from La Canorgue) at a table during the scene where Max waits on tables. She must have been an extra in this scene.

The fountain in the square by the Hôtel le Renaissance - where Max waits with a glass of wine until Fanny gets off work. During the Tuesday morning market in Gordes, this square is filled with sellers and shoppers.

The farmhouse at Château les Eydins – the brightly-lit home of the estate manager Duflot and his wife, where Max and Christie go for dinner and Christie drinks too much pastis. Château les Eydins is another organic winery just down the road from La Canorgue. The farmhouse itself is available as a vacation rental. We pass by this winery when we visit the 2000-year old bridge, the Pont Julien—maybe next time we will stop!

The pond in the center of Cucuron - where Max and Fanny go for their date, with old movies on a big screen and a band playing. This beautiful spot is on the south side of the Luberon.

The Cafe de France in Lacoste - where Max gives Christie the letter near the end of the movie. This simple café terrace is one of our favorite spots in the Luberon because of the fabulous view looking across the valley to Bonnieux. We like to stop here with our Luberon Experience groups during our Tuesday afternoon exploration of Lacoste.