The Luberon is less than 90 minutes from Marseille. This summer, there’s a compelling reason to make the drive. From 27 to 31 July, Domaine Les Davids in Viens hosts the fifth edition of Les Estivales du Haut Calavon. Set across 320 hectares of Haute-Provence landscape, the estate is an exceptional place: an organic vineyard at 600 metres altitude, a winery designed by architect Marc Barani, a walking promenade by landscape architect Bas Smets dotted with artworks. It earns a visit regardless of what’s on.
This year’s theme is “Peoples of the seas, lands and skies,” anchored by philosopher and festival patron Vinciane Despret. The guest of honour is actress Agnès Jaoui, performing in concert with the Ensemble Canto Allegre. Around her: writers Charles Dantzig and Bart Van Loo, journalists Pierre Haski and Thomas Snégaroff, pianist Vanessa Wagner, saxophonist Raphaël Imbert. The programme spans talks, readings, concerts, and performances, with exhibitions at the estate and at the nearby Salagon Museum, where painter Yves Zurstrassen’s work is on show.
Base yourself at Hotel La Relève in Marseille for the city days, then point the car north towards the Luberon.
The full programme is at estivaleshautcalavon.fr.
