Places to Visit in Provence
Discover the Enchanting Lands of the Vaucluse
Provence is renowned for its climate and light, almonds and Mimosa blossom in February and the hot summer lingers into warm autumn days with brilliant clear blue skies and beautiful starry nights.
Top Places to Visit in Provence
From the city of Avignon to the peak of Mont Ventoux, & through the Luberon, discover the lands of the Vaucluse, the fields of lavender, the olive trees, and the vineyards. Enjoy the markets, brocantes, bustling cafes, summer festivals, music, theatre & art. There are mountains to climb, rivers to canoe or fish, Mont Ventoux to cycle, The Dentelles and all the surrounding countryside to walk in.
Explore wonderful Roman ruins, shop in chic shops, or relax in the shade with a glass of wine and simply be…..
There is so much for you to discover, these are just a few;
Bedoin
Bedoin, at the foot of Mount Ventoux is a lovely little agriculture village, spread out over a large area; it comprises several hamlets all of which are blessed with that Mediterranean climate of sun nearly every day of the year. A good wine (AOC) is produced here, along with asparagus and fruits.
There is a very good market on a Monday morning with live music, where you can sit in one of the numerous cafes or bars and enjoy a glass of wine. It has many restaurants, shops, and boulangeries, one selling the most wonderful almond croissants, and the other producing apricot and walnut bread baked over wood.
It is a Mecca for cyclists who spend the hot summer days cycling up the Mont Ventoux following the final stages of The Tour de France. Bedoin has a very large bike hire shop for enthusiasts where you can hire suitable bikes daily or weekly.
Other activities include hiking, and mountain biking on marked trails, tennis and mini golf. Golf is a 30-minute drive away. There is also winter skiing, both cross country and alpine. The costal resorts are about 1 hour 45 minutes away.
Isle sur La Sorgue
Isle sur La Sorgue is a very pretty town, with rivers running along side it’s cafes and bars. It is famous for antique shops, and brocantes numbering more than 300. Visit on a Sunday morning and stay for lunch.
The picturesque hillside towns of Gourdes and Rousillon in the Luberon make a perfect day out.
Orange
Orange has fine Roman remains, including it’s Triumphal Arch and well preserved 1st century Roman Theatre, It is equally famous for “Les Choregis” a major music festival in July for opera lovers.
Pont du Gard
There is the Roman Aqueduct at Pont du Gard, which remains impressively intact.
Vaison-la-Romaine
Vaison-la-Romaine has both impressive Roman and Medieval remains.
Arles
Arles, (gateway to the Camargue, the wild land of gypsies and cowboys) boasts Roman Arena, Amphitheatre and baths. Registered with Unesco but just as well known for its associations with Van Gogh, Gauguin and Picasso who all stayed and painted here.
Aix en Provence
Aix en Provence, the historical capital of Provence. It is beautifully laid out with wide avenues and fountains, fabulous for shopping, art, markets and café life.
Avignon
Carpentras
Carpentras is the closest town and it has a wonderful Friday morning market. The town is well worth a visit, park near the tourist office and enjoy the architecture, shopping and bars.