The Best Things to Do in Lourmarin

Albert Camus (1913–1960) lived in Lourmarin and is buried in its cemetery. You can visit his grave to pay your respects to his writing. Camus died in a car accident on his way from Lourmarin to Paris in 1960 after being talked out of taking the train by his publisher who was driving. The train ticket was still in his pocket and there were rumours he was killed by the Russian KGB. Camus had only moved to Lourmarin two years earlier, choosing to settle here because the mountains reminded him of his native Algeria. He bought the house with the money he won from his Nobel Prize victory in 1957.

The Lourmarin market on a Friday morning is widely regarded as one of the best in the region. Buy some Provençal honey, local cheeses, bread and wine, as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables sold by regional farmers. Alternatively, just wander the stalls, savouring the smells and tasting the samples on offer. The market takes over the winding streets in the centre of the village. In summer, there is also a farmers market on Tuesday evenings (from 6.30pm) at the Old Fruit Co-operative.

Lourmarin’s castle was built in the 16th century but it gradually fell into decline after the French revolution. In 1920, it was set to be demolished when businessman Robert Laurent-Vibert bought it and restored it. After his death from a car accident, the château was bequeathed in Laurent-Vibert’s will to the French Academy of Art and Science in nearby Aix-en-Provence, on the condition that young artists would be allowed to perform there. Today it plays host to a variety of music concerts and festivals, and is the venue for the family-friendly Festival Yeah! that takes place at the beginning of June each year. This festival runs over three days and takes over the entire town with music events, food stalls and arty activities.