Outstanding climate and sunshine, history-laden stone architecture, beautiful natural spaces, a real flair for celebrations and tradition ... all this and more makes Vaucluse the true heart of Provence. The hilltop villages in the Luberon, the beautiful villages nestled in the flanks of Mont Ventoux, the Provençal Colorado, Roman theater in Orange, Palace of the Popes in Avignon, castles, abbeys, festivities and festivals ... all set amidst the beautiful countryside of vineyards, orchards and lavender.
Then there are the people in Vaucluse too, generous like their land and sunshine, appreciative of what is good and beautiful, with a decided taste for fun, for hospitality, for solid friendship.
Provencal friendliness, Provencal warmth, is reflected in the outdoor cafés, in the market places, under the shady plane trees on small sweet squares, out of doors where people are strolling or enjoying the fresh air, around the mossy fountains gurgling with fresh running water, long-standing source of get-togethers, discussion, foundation of the lifestyle.
Welcome to original Provence.
It is safe to say that everyone knows the famous Avignon bridge, the Pont d'Avignon, the international theater festival and the Palace of the Popes, part of the World Heritage for Humanity. There are many other aspects of Avignon which appeal to visitors, but they are inextricably intertwined in the daily life of the city, the charm of the neighborhoods and the lovely city mansions, the narrow old cobblestone streets, the Italianate squares, the superb restaurants, the beautiful museums and the well-known antique dealers.
Mont Ventoux
Mont Ventoux towers over the landscape, seen from far and wide. The Giant of Provence is home to outstanding flora and fauna , and to picturesque villages nestled in its folds or clinging to its hillsides, such as Aurel, Brantes, Saint-Léger, Savoillans..
The area around the town of Sault, known as the Pays de Sault, is blue and gold, dotted with lavender fields and fields of wheat that cover the vast plateau.
At the base of Mont Ventoux stretch the Comtat plains, lush and fertile, and thriving, attractive towns such as Carpentras, with its synagogue, the oldest in France, its cathedral and its treasure, and its famed sweet called the “berlingotî. Slightly farther south lies Pernes les Fontaines, full of history, with 36 fountains throughout the town.
A fresh and green area traversed by the fast-flowing waters of the Sorgue river. Many villages lie along the banks of the Sorgue, which gushes forth from deep inside the earth at Fontaine de Vaucluse, the namesake for Vaucluse. The town of Isle sur la Sorgue, nicknamed “Little Veniceî is the capital of this area. Many canals run through Isle sur la Sorgue, which is famous for its Sunday Provencal market and its 300 full-time antique dealers, clustered together in old buildings in town, open every weekend.
Many beautiful villages lie within the protected area of the Luberon Regional Park, which covers 165,000 hectares. The park, bordered by the Durance river, is in the heart of the Luberon, famous for the superb quality of light and harmonious relationship between man and nature. Some of the most famous villages are Gordes, near Sénanque Abbey and bories; Roussillon with its flamboyant ochre cliffs, a true symphony of color, the castles in Ansouis and Lourmarin, and the ruins of the castle in Lacoste, home to the famous Marquis de Sade.
Artists and artisans live and work in the villages, perpetuating tradition and long-standing savoir-faire. You can cycle through the Luberon on the well-marked bike trails, taking in the beauty of the landscapes and the villages as you cycle. There are vast stretches of orchards which grow fruit for the famous Candied Fruit made in the city of Apt. Hike or cycle through the beautiful forests and the great vineyards which produce the gorgeous Côtes du Luberon wines.
The lands to the north of Vaucluse are fragrant with truffles, lavender and wine.
In the towns of Orange and Vaison la Romaine, the Romans built theaters and ancient Roman cities. The area known as the Papal enclave, which lies in the county of the Drome, is home to four beautiful villages, Grillon, Valréas, Visan and Richerenches, famous for the “Truffle Massî, and is where the Knights Templar and the Avignon Popes forged history.
Nearby, the village of Châteauneuf du Pape, and the Dentelles de Montmirail, jagged cliffs which stand like a lacy theater curtain over hilly vineyards. A paradise for rock climbers and hikers, surrounded by famous wine-making towns such as Gigondas, Cairanne, Vacqueyras, and Rasteau and Beaumes de Venise which make a wonderful natural sweet wine, “Muscatî, which goes so beautifully with the famous melon from Cavaillon.
Your stay in vaucluse
More than 150 holidays rentals or self catering to rent : www.provence-locations.com
To prepare your stay in Vaucluse, please visit our site: www.provenceguide.com
Comité Départemental
de Tourisme de Vaucluse
12 rue Collège de la Croix
F-84008 AVIGNON cedex
Marne
( 51 )
An holyday rental for 200 €
A trip low price
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Tarn
( 81 )
From the Montagne Noire, the southern tip of the Massif Central, to the wide, tranquil plains of the Agout and Tarn rivers, and from the rugged unspoilt Ségala region to the rounded hills of the Vaurais, gateway to the sprawling plains of the Lauragais, the Tarn offers an enormou...
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Destination:
Vaucluse
