Culture

The department of Vaucluse of Provence is the ideal destination if you like visiting the traditional Provençal villages and perched on steep hills and historic sites important as Avignon and Orange, situs in a very impressive natural landscape.

Then, What's to be done or see in Avignon?

Among the popular strengths are the beautiful villages of the region of Luberon in the South, the fields of lavender of the Provençal Drôme in the East, the cities of Avignon and Orange on the West, and the Mount Ventoux in the North.

Zones the most visited in Vaucluse are the cities of Orange and Avignon on the West and the villages of Luberon in the South, and these are a good place to begin if it is is your first visit in Vaucluse.

The cyclists make the mythical ascent of the Mount Ventoux in large numbers! To help you plan your visit, we grouped the main strengths and the places to be visited in Vaucluse by sector:

Vaucluse: the North and is: of numerous places in the northeast of Vaucluse; you can see the mountain emblem of Provence of Mount Ventoux. The summit of the mountain is a landscape displayed with magnificent views. The Mount Ventoux is especially known as being an ascent of very popular mountain during the Tour de France and consequently, it is a paradise for the cyclists of all around the world. The mountain can have risen in bike or from Bedoin or Malaucène, a route about 22 kilometers with an average slope of 7,6 %. That is, very difficult!

In the South of the Mount Ventoux, you can explore the rocky and dramatic landscape of the Laces of Montmirail, always very appreciated by the walkers and can be explored from Seguret, classified among the "more beautiful villages of France". Another attractive city near here is Barroux, dominated by a medieval castle, whereas the village of Beaumes-de-Venise at the foot of the Laces of Montmirail is a pleasant village with a good reputation for the production of the wine of muscatel wine.

The northeast of Vaucluse is also indicated under the name The Drôme-Provençal, the most known for its magnificent fields of lavender which are one very beautiful view at the end of May and the beginning of June. These can be seen through a big part of the zone situated between the attractive city of Vaison la Romaine and Sault, towards the edge is of the department. Near Vaison-la-Romaine we also appreciated a walk around the small and very quiet village perched of Puyméras.

In the southwest of Sault visit Monieux then Gorges of Nesque, with abrupt cliffs and steep slopes in one of the strengths of the landscape of the department of Vaucluse. The landscape is always picturesque, and the most important both cities of the department are also found here:

On the West of Vaucluse, livened up city and important regional center of Avignon is a peak of your visit, to see the Grand Palais the Popes (one of the most impressive buildings of France) and the famous bridge (as in the bed song "On the bridge of Avignon"), as well as historic center.

In the North from Avignon to Orange there are important Roman ruins, including Roman theater which is one of the most complete to the world. Between Avignon and Orange, you can visit Chateauneuf-du-Pape, with the ruins of a medieval and well known castle for prestigious wines were produced from the vineyards of the region. Other interesting bends in the center of the department include Carpentras and also the town of Pernes-les-Fontaines, well known for his numerous traditional fountains.

Between Carpentras and Pernes-les-Fontaines, take a small bend to see Monteux who keeps a part of a medieval castle and defensive footbridges to enter the city as well as several other historic monuments. In the center of Vaucluse you should also visit the villages of Him Beaucet and Venasque, who is also classified as one of the "more beautiful villages of France".

Vaucluse the South: villages in and around the Regional Natural reserve of Luberon attract visitors of all around the world, because of their well protected traditional character and beautiful landscapes around villages. There are many of these villages perched in the region among which several are classified "as more beautiful villages of France", each with their own attraction and special characteristics. Almost everything villages deserve a visit and they are rather close some of others, thus we did not try to select or to recommend our personal "favorites"!

Among those who are to be visited during your holidays are Fountain of Vaucluse, where you can see the source of the river Sorgue, and the villages perched of Gordes and Roussillon. Not far are Menerbes, Oppede-le-Vieux and Lourmarin, whereas near Lourmarin you can explore the small villages of Ansouis, Grambois and Cucuron. Other attractive villages of particular interest in "Petit Luberon" include Bonnieux and Lacoste.

From Gordes take the small bend to see the Abbey of picturesque Sénanque in a quiet valley and surrounded with fields of lavender, and also visit the "village of bories", a whole small village of small stone traditional huts and a museum celebrating the local traditions. Having explored Luberon, to the east of the department of Vaucluse you can visit the city of Apt. We also recommend you a visit in the village of Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt in some kilometers in the North of Apt. As you can notice it, the tourism in Avignon and more widely in Vaucluse is very developed and is worth it!