Economy around the Luberon - Tourism, agriculture and real estate

Most of the mountain massif higher parts are a protected area where all culture is prohibited. However, on the foothills we find vineyards and fruit trees (almond trees, cherry trees, olive trees, etc.). The montain plateau (mainly Claparèdes plateau) affixed or attached to the mountain massif also show many traces of ancient agriculture (found remains). Finally, we also find herb crops, lavender (too low for a culture of "real lavender") and other species.

Many quarries exploit limestone white stones of small and large Luberon (Espeil Rock, Ménerbes stone, Estaillades, etc.). Others also have long took advantage of iron ocrières lands north of the Petit Luberon in the Calavon valley.

Historically, the cultivation of silkworms was very important in the Luberon area, but removed after techniques modernization. Many buildings (mostly farmhouses) kept traces of these magnaneries (rooms dedicated to the breeding of silkworms). In the Luberon, there is the production of honey (beekeeping) and raising goats for cheese production. It is also common to find wild boar and so a little deli, but this is marginal and often about personal consumption of hunters and their families.

Apart from agriculture, the most recognizable economy around the Luberon massif is related to tourism. Even the wine (Côtes du Luberon) has incorporated this concept and more and more wine estates offer, besides the traditional tasting, complete introductory courses to oenology. The park of the Luberon itself becomes business purpose ( "Maison du Parc" in Apt, labels, etc.). Three areas: historical tourism (perched villages, rich heritage), the relaxation tourism (high concentration of pool, etc.) and finally green tourism.

Finally, despite that a part of the mountain massif (park) being a non-building area, real estate in the broadest sense, is without a doubt one of the three main economic sources of the sector (with tourism and agriculture) and perhaps the chat topics the most used out of the three. Craftsmen, material dealers, tree sellers, real estate agents, architects, contractors, etc. many people are living from real estate or other related businesses.