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ProvenceWeb - Guide touristique. (English) On the main page there is a listing of current festivals, exhibitions and so on. The site covers all six departments of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur (Bouches du Rhone, Vaucluse, Var, Alpes Haute Provence, Hautes Alpes and Alpes Maritimes). Tourism in Vaucluse - Official website in English. A nice feature of this site is the search engine for events in Vaulcuse under Festivities. You have the option of searching by geographical area, town, category, name or period of time. I especially like the period of time because you can find out what events will be going during the time you will be in Vaucluse. |
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Avignon For information on the Avignon Theatre, Dance and Music festival go to www.festival-avignon.com and for fringe performances go to www.avignon-off.org. The site has an English version. Office de Tourisme Avignon where you wind information market days (when and where they are held), cultural events such as theatre and concerts, museums including contact information (addresses and phone numbers). The site has an English version. The Pass Avignon-Villeneuve Discovery Passport (free of charge) is available either at participating musueums or at the Avignon Office of Tourism, 41 cours Jean Jaures. The pass offers a 20-50% discount at participating museums and valid for two weeks. Besides the major attractions such as the Popes Palace, Pont-St-Benezet there are several good art museums including Musee du Petit Palais, Musee Calvet Fondation Angladon and the Lambert Collection and a couple of interesting churches to explore. In the evening you can attend a dance, theatre or an opera production at the beautiful Avignon Opera house constructed in 1847. Avignon does not lack in things to do or places to eat. I find nothing more enjoyable then sitting enjoying at cafe in one of the outdoor cafes opposite the opera house in the Place de L’Horloge and watching the world go by. When coming over the Pont Edouard Deladier into Avignon the best place to park is in the Palais des Papes parking garage. The garage is built under the Place du Palais and one of the exits brings you out in front of the Palais des Papes. The Place de l’Horlogue is a few minutes away and the other major attractions are also near by. The advantage of parking at this location besides the convenience to the major sites is not having to drive into the city center. When it is time to leave all you do is get back on the highway (outside the city’s walls) and head towards the Pont Edouard Deladier. A great way to see Avignon is from the river. Le Mireio offers cruises on the Rhone including day trips to Chateauneuf-du-Pape (famous for their wine) and Arles (famous for Roman ruins and Van Gogh). They also offer a romantic dinner cruise along with a simple cruise that takes you out on the river for some great views of the Palais des Papes. Restaurants: Le Caveau du Theatre 16 rue des Trois Faucons Tele: 04 90 82 60 91. Near the Provencal Gothic church of Saint Didier. An inexpensive Bistro. Entree des Artistesm 1 place of the Carmelite friars Tele: 04 90 82 46 90. Traditional Provencal cuisine. Moderately priced. About a 10 minute walk from the Place de l’Horloge. Good food. Friendly service. |
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Gordes Gordes has its fair share of shops selling the usually tacky souvenirs and tour buses especially during the busy summer months. Putting aside the usually touristy trappings that come with popularity you can’t help but to love the setting and the village itself. There are a few shops that sell some interesting artisanal items along with art galleries, restaurants and high-end hotels. And to be honest I have bought my fair share of souvenirs that some people may consider tacky that I cherish. One of fondness memories is just sitting relaxing with a glass of wine in the lovely town square beside the chateau thinking of nothing in particular. Temporary art exhibitions are held at the chateau which also has a permanent collection. There is a delightful church along with the narrow lanes and passageways to explore and while away an hour or two. In the summer concerts are here and at the Abbaye de Senanque. On Tuesday a local market is held in the town square. A trip to Provence would not be complete with a visit to Gordes, one of the quintessential “village perché” of Provence. I found a website that has information on cultural activities such as art exhibitions along with other information including restaurants and hotels in Gordes, go to http://www.gordes-village.com/html/presentation2.html. Below are several photos I took. One was taken from the road that leads up to the village and other is of the countryside below the village.
If you visiting the area between June & September you might want to check out the International String Quartet of the Luberon which is held in a number of venues including in Rousillon, a nearby hilltop village and the Abbaye de Senaque along with several other locations. If you would like more information go to http://pagesperso-orange.fr/festival-luberon-quatuors/index.html. Abbaye de Senanque The abbaye is nestled in a valley surrounded by lavender fields. The drive down from Gordes on the via the D177 is one of the most scenic ways to approach the abbaye. One of the best times of the year to visit is summer when the lavender is in bloom when the abbaye looks like it is floating in a sea of lavender. However, I was here once at the beginning of October and there was still the scent of lavender in the air and the abbaye and surrounding countryside was just as beautiful. The simple and rather austere church and the cloisters are delightful anytime of the year. I like the fact this is still a working monastery and the monks earn a living from honey and lavender they grow. You get a glimpse into a modern religious lifestyle devoted to prayer and communal living set in a monastery that dates backs to the 12th century. When leaving if you are heading back to Avignon take the D177 towards Venasque, from there take the D28 towards St. Didier, continue on through Pernes-les-Fountains (the town has 36 fountains) until you reach Avignon. It would be quicker if you just drove back into Gordes and continue on to Avignon from there, but though the drive is longer you get to see beautiful countryside and go through a couple pretty villages. Better still if you have the time continue on to Carpentras from Pernes-les-Fontaines. Carpentras has a great market on Friday mornings. Throughout the year the town has festivals and other cultural events. For more information on events go to www.tourisme.fr/carpentras/e-loisirs.htm. The site has an English version.
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Les Dentelles de Montmirail www.inter-rhone.com Inter Rhone. Good site for information on the wines of the Rhone valley.
www.tourisme.fr/office-de-tourisme/gigondas.htm Office de Tourisme Gigondas. www.beaumes-de-venise.com Official site of the village of Beaumes de Venise and the Dentellees de Montmail. You will find information on events - listed under Festvities programme, outdoor leisure activities including rock climbing and hiking, food and lodging. The site has an English version.This particular village is known for their sweet white wine made from the Muscat grape. Restaurants: Domaine de Cabasse restaurant/hotel. Between the villages of Seguret and Sablet. Moderate-Expensive. Interesting dishes with outdoor dining terrace. Surrounded by vineyards. There is a tasting room where you can sample and buy local wine. Les Florets restaurant/hotel. Moderate to expensive. Located in a beautiful setting above the village of Gigondas. Lunch on outside terrace on a bright sunny day is heavenly. The food and service are exceptional. Rservations are advisable especially during high season. |
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Orange www.choregies.ass.fr The Annual International Musical Festival. The web site has an English version. Performances are held in the theatre antique. If you have a chance, definitely worth going to a performance because it is a spectacular setting, but be sure to bring a seat cushion. www.ville-orange.fr Official website for the town of Orange. In French only. Entrance to the Musee Muncipal is included in the price of admission to The Théâtre Antique, both of which should not be missed. The audio guide is good. You learn a lot about the history of Roman theatre, the building and the city of Orange itself without being bored because the commentary is lively and fun. Old Orange (the area between the theatre and the Arc de Triomphe) is fun to explore. There are also restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat. Chateauneuf-du-Pape has a ruined castle, a restored village, but perhaps more famous for its great wines. Once the summer residences the Pope, the castle is no more except for a couple of walls. Of course the main purpose of coming here is for wine tasting and of course wine buying because you can get some great deals on this exceptional wine. |
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The Luberon Les Routes da Lavande - six driving tours of lavender country. Includes restaurant and hotel recommendations. Download maps with the itinerary (translated into French, English and German). The site also tells you when the best time to go. For more information click on the link.
L’isle-la-sorgue has a huge market on Sunday that spills over into all parts of the town. There are tons of antique shops. These days it is pretty difficult to find a bargain. Still you might run across something that strikes your fancy even if it is a bit pricey. The Office of Tourism has a website www.ot-islesurlasorgue.fr. The site has an English version. Two sections that are particularly informative are on the markets in and around l’Isle-sure-la-Sorgue and information on Fontaine-de-Vaulcuse, the source of the Sorgue River that runs through town. Restaurants: Cher Nane, L’ lle aux Brocantes - 7, avenue des Quatre Otages Tele: 04 90 38 51 05. The outdoor dinning terrace is beside a canal. Sometimes while you are eating the ducks will swim by and can throw them a few pieces of bread. Limited menu (changes from season to season), but the food is quite good as is the service. I usually try to get to L’isle-sur-la-sorgue early around 10:30 on market day so I can walk over to the restaurant to make a reservation for lunch around 1:00 or 1:30. Once I have done this, I head over to the market. By 1:00 or thereabouts the market starts rapping up for the day and I head over to the restaurant for lunch with the ducks. Afterwards I always look forward to my next visit. Nearby are the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, the source of the Sorgue river. |
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Vaison-la-Romaine www.vaison-la-romaine.com Official website for the town. The site has an English version. Restaurants: Vaison is Le Brin d’Olivier 4, rue du Ventoux Tele: 04 90 28 74 79. Cuisine: Provencal. Moderately priced. Light and colorful dining room. I stumbled across this little gem after a concert at the Cathedrale Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth. Great food and wonderful service. Reservations advisable. |
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