Things to do...
"I am now in the land of corn, wine, oil and sunshine. What more can a man ask of heaven? If I should happen to die in Paris (where he was based as ambassador), I beg of you to send me here, land have me exposed to the sun, I am sure it will bring me life again" -
Thomas Jefferson wrote this to William Short, his private secretary, after his arrival in Aix-en-Provence in 1787.
Lots of historic places to visit ie Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Arles, Nimes, Orange...
Within a short drive you will find the beautiful villages/towns of Lourmarin, Cucuron, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Goult, Gordes, Ménèrbes, Roussillon, Eygalières, St Remy-de-Provence, l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Avignon. Domain de Fontenille and Château La Coste are only 15min away, both full of wine, good food, art and architecture, both well worth a visit, as are many more mentioned on the following pages.
On the edge of our village is the famous Cistercian Silvacane Abbey (2KM/3min) dating from 11th, 12th and 13th century, the light is fantastic in the abbey and should not be missed. It is one of the ‘three sisters of Provence’ or as the French call them ‘les trois soeurs provençales’ the other two being - the most photographed of all the abbeys in Provence with endless rows of lavende...the Senanque Abbey (on our website front cover) near Gordes (45KM/50min) the other the Thoronet Abbey (120KM/1H20min). The Silvacane Abbey is is also part of the big 4-week international music festival in our village in July/August, as well as many more musical events and various art exhibitions thoughout the year. The park at Château de Florans is the main host to the big 4-week international music festival in July/August, only 4-5min walk away, full of non-stop rehearsals, master classes and concerts. There are also some concerts all over the village during the festival.
Keen walkers will enjoy the nearby Luberon Regional Nature Park, and also the Gorges du Régalon just 20min away. Or you could walk up the mountain behind our village only 5-10min away. We have some maps for these walks with spectacular views. If you decide to visit any of the beautiful gorges, make sure to wear the right foot wear, bring water, and do check the weather forecast, as the gorges become dangerous and some do flood if it has been raining, also...be aware...your mobiles are not likely to work!
Aix-en-Provence (33KM/30min) is a beautiful city, and a must! Aix is very much one of the reasons we are where we are! You simply have not been to Provence if you have not visited this wonderful city, full of beautiful buildings, fountains everywhere and just the atmosphere in this beautiful city, so much going on all year round! You could follow in Cezannes’ footsteps www.atelier-cezanne.com. Do visit Aix on either Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday as it's market day. It's busy, noisy and colourful, and make sure to bring your French baskets, as there are many temptations around! Less than 30min after the last stall has been packed away, you would never know that there had been a market there, as men had swiped the surface and the big garbage trucks driven around collecting the last bits of rubbish lying about. It’s very fast and very efficient! Every June/July the wonderful Aix Festival takes place.
Avignon (55KM/45min) the city of the Popes for 6 centuries. The Gothic palace, Palais des Papes has since 1995 been classified as historic centre of Avignon by UNESCO with its churches, cloisters and chapels. The famous bridge, you know the song ‘Sur le pont d’Avignon, on y danse, on y danse, sur le pont d’Avignon, on y danse tout en rond’, yes, that is 'that' bridge...Pont Saint-Bénezet, sadly most of it has been lost due to flooding. Should you decide to visit the bridge, be aware, ‘that’ tune might well stay in your head for quite some time! In July Avignon is full of music and theatre. It is now known as the biggest arts festival in the world, with c1.400 events every day during this wonderful 3-week festival!
You could continue over the bridge over the Rhône River, and you’re no longer in Provence, but in the Gard in the region of Occitanie (earlier known as Languedoc-Roussillon). Just (25KM/25min) on the D981 you should do a little detour and visit the famous Pont du Gard, which has since 1985 been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a very clever Roman engineering construction and was built to bring water from the hills in the north. It is one of those places, which is an absolute must! You could continue another (14KM/15min) on the D981 to the little town of Uzès, which is a little pearl in the area. Saturday is a busy day here as it's market day. There’s a festival here every summer. Between Uzès and Pont du Gard, on the D981 is the Haribo Museum a place you might want to visit or maybe not, on your way back across the Rhône River to Avignon and back to us.
Nimes (109KM/1H20min) was located on the Via Domitia, a Roman road constructed in 118 BC which connected Italy and Spain. The site known as Serre Paradise goes back to the New Stone Age (Neolithic) during the period 4000 and 3500BC. Also worth having a look at is the Maison Carrée, which is one of the best Roman temples preserved, built c16BC (Google this, as it makes an interesting read). The Roman amphitheatre, Arène de Nimes in the center of Nimes, dates from the end of the 2AD and is today used for concerts, bullfights, fairs and fire works.
Marseille (58KM/55min) was Europe’s culture capital in 2013, so lots of things were improved in this big city and lots of different things are happening here throughout the year!
During the summer season you will find some beaches including La Pointe Rouge and a little further along the coast, is the beautiful small town Cassis (79KM/1H5min), which is very much worth a visit. Cassis has one of the best beaches along the coast here. You could take a short or long trip onboard one of the many boats in the little harbor, out to see the beautiful Les Calanques. The sunset over the castle on the hill side and the sea is stunning. Cassis is so beautiful, the only problem here, is parking, outside Cassis is a jump-on, jump-off bus service into Cassis, the view from above Cassis are wonderful too, that alone is worth getting the camera out for!
L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (40KM/45min) whether you like antiques and/or bric-a-brac, Sunday is the day you should visit this lovely town as it's market and brocante day. It's busy, noisy and well worth a visit! Make sure to have a coffee, drink or lunch at Café de France by the church in the center. When you leave here, you should continue to La Fontaine de Vaucluse, which is really worth a visit, famous for its source, despite a lot of research, today they still do not know where the source is coming from and how deep it is. There’s an old ruin up the hill side, and it's just a beautiful place and if you fancy, you can do some kayaking an the river here too.
St Remy-de-Provence (46KM/45min) is another lovely town, and Wednesday is market day, and well worth a visit. This is also where van Gogh was comitted to the Saint-Paul de Mausole psychiatric institution and where he painted some of his most colourful paintings. St Remy is also where Nostradamus was born. There is the Glanum archaeological site, the Plateau des Antiques and it's Mausoleum, one of the best preserved in the world. Here you could also visit the Museum of Perfumes and Fragrances. You could finish your market shopping with lunch at a little restaurant at a little square, Place Favier or elsewhere like at Le Cafe de la Place, opposite the church! Or instead of lunch in St Remy...you could have a picnic at the little pretty Lac du Peiroou, just up the D5 short drive out of St Remy and maybe a swim?
Les Baux de Provence (52KM/55min...from St Remy (10KM/15min) is a place that the whole family will enjoy visiting. The château/fortress is from 11th to 16th century. You have in the road below, so the earlier you arrive, the closer you are! When you leave here, do stop the car a few hundred meters along the road and take the time to visit Carrières de Lumières or simply just visit this wonderful place, whatever your age, you will enjoy this, trust us! It’s a place you can visit time and time again as every year they change ‘what’s on’ - the 'show' runs from early March to early January.
the 2016 season was dedicated to Chagall and his colourful paintings, 2017 it was all about Bosch, Brueghel and Arcimboldo and the music is provided by Vivaldy, Led Zeppelin and many more! 2018 was about Picasso and Flower Power. 2019 was about Van Gogh and Japanese artists. 2020 season was about to Dali and Gaudi. The 2021 season is dedicated to Cezanne and Kadinsky. (If you visit Paris do visit their Atelier de Lumières much smaller venue, but again created by the same group!) The whole concept of the idea behind thi, is brilliant...always accompanied by wonderful music...but even in the summer do bring a jumper and maybe put a pair of trousers on – as it’s cool in there under the rocks in Les Baux www.carrieres-lumieres.com
Another must is the little village of Lourmarin (13KM/15min) with its beautiful château, where every summer there’s a music festival. Friday is market day, it's the best market in our area, plenty of food, flowers and ‘local French stuff’ to fill those French baskets! Walk down the little cobbles streets, pick a café/restaurant, sit yourselves down, soak up the sun over a nice lunch and maybe some cold local rosé and just enjoy some some people watching!
You should visit ovely Cucuron (16KM/20min) on a Tuesday, as it's buzzing...it's market day, sit yourselves down by the beautiful etang and enjoy a coffee, drink or lunch (1st date scene in 'A Good Year was filmed here)!
Domaine de Fontenille (15KM/15min) on the edge of Lauris and Château La Coste (16KM/18min) on the edge of Le Puy-Sainte-La Réparade are both well worth a visit, lots of activities in the summer, and their wines are not bad either.
The little villages Oppède le Vieux (40KM/45min) and Ménerbes (42KM/45min) are both a must.
The village of Gordes (42KM/50min) is set on a hill and stunningly beautiful. The drive up to this little town is something very special. This is where a few scenes from the films like ‘A Good Year’ and ‘Love Actually’ (and many more for sure) were filmed. Don’t look too much in the immobilier windows here, the prices are astronomical, but you can always afford to dream of course!
Bonnieux (27KM/35min) is a lovely little village to visit. Some fantastic restaurants here, and if you just want to stop to have a drink or lunch, do stop at one of the little cafés overlooking the valley with wonderful views over to Lacoste, Goult, Gordes, Roussillon and more...
If you love gardens, it would be worth your time to visit the beautiful garden ‘La Louve’ designed by Nicole de Vésian. She was a designer for the iconic French brand Hermès in the 1950s and 1960s, working alongside a certain young designer Christian Lacroix. After the death of her husband, she moved to Provence, where she bought a house in Bonnieux. Nicole de Vésian transformed the neglected grounds around the house into an amazing, beautiful and influential garden.
Lacoste (31KM/40min) is another little village, where you could stop and have a drink and enjoy the wonderful views over the valley to Bonnieux. Château Lacoste is famous, as this was where Marquis de Sade lived! The château (and most of the village) is now owned by the designer Pierre Cardin, who for years have organised a cultural festival here in July. Rumour has it that he wants to sell!
Roussillon (36KM/45min) is another special place to visit. When you drive towards Roussillon, the bright red-ochre coloured hills stand out fantastically in the green pine forest surrounding this little hill village. The village is not very big, and it’s best to park below the village. A visit to the ochre mine should not be missed. Suggestion is maybe not wear anything white!
The little village of Eygalières (36KM/35min) is worth a visit, if only to have lunch or dinner there. On the Route d’Eygalière you could turn off the road to visit Domaine de Valdition www.valdition.com where they produce some nice wines and normally 3 nice olive oils. The olive oils are not cheap, but very good and a real treat, and as their bottles are beautfully engraved, we often use these for that odd single rose in our guest rooms. Just before arriving in Eygalières, on the Route d’Eygalières you could stop and visit the 12th century Chapelle Saint Sixtus a famous historical monument. Friday is market day and it is very nice, as is the brocante, which is every last Sunday of the month!
Vaison-la-Romaine (100KM/1H15min) is another lovely medieval village with its 2000 year old bridge, which is still in use today and Tuesday is market day, and all the little streets are full of stall holders. Have a drink or lunch at the little square and maybe enjoy some music there too. You could then continue to the little village of Séguret only (9KM/10min) away, which is an absolute gem, and do take time to visit the 12th century church of St Denis. The church warden is very, very, very passionate about the church and its history, it’s his life, and you might find it very difficult for him to let you go, and it's all in French! You could finish your visit to this beautiful village and have a spot of lunch in the little café overlooking the vines way below...do bring your camera, you’ll need it...and you could continue to Les Dentelles de Montmirail only (3KM/4min) away, a very beautiful and unusual rock formation. Dentelles = lace in French, and that’s exactly what these looks like. If you continue a little further, just (6KM/10min) you will come to Gigondas, well known for its wines. Best wines around and equal to those of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with their own Appellation Contrôlée. If you are interested, you could Google ‘Gigondas France wine's’ as there are too many to mention.
Orange (77KM/55min) is renowned for its Roman architecture and its Théâtre Antique, and it is still the most impressive existing in Europe. The finest Triumphal Arch of Orange is often mentioned as to date from the time of Augustus or Tiberius, or likely to be much later, maybe Severan. Roman Orange was founded in 35BC. The arch, theatre and surroundings were listed in 1981 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. If you are an opera fan, Théâtre Antique is the place to go. If you drive up and above Orange, you will have some pretty wonderful views over the city and much further afield. The opera festival is in July/August every year.
The river Rhone flows along Arles (79KM/1H) a well known Roman town with the design and architecture of ancient times ie the walls of Les Arènes have been standing since 1st century BC. The ancient amphitheatre Théâtre Antique is where the summer festival, with lots of opera, is celebrated. The site was listed in 1997 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Saignon (34KM/40min) is another lovely little village well worth a visit with views for miles and miles (360 degree view) - bring your comfortable walking shoes and your camera is highly recommended.
Gorges du Verdon (128KM/2H) if you have the time, do visit this absolutely stunning canyon, also known as the European Grand Canyon. There are lots of things to see and do here. Abseiling, swimming, jumping, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, paddling, white water rafting (September). You should visit the area around Lac de Sainte-Croix. Lac de Sainte-Croix, which is a man made lake, formed as a result of a dam, Barrage de Sainte-Croix. The original village is now completely under water. Rambling is also very popular around the Gorges du Verdon. You are urged to take proper safety precautions before setting out, especially as mobile phones do not work in the gorges. Make sure you have detailed maps, right foot wear and clothes, and always check the weather forecast before setting out! Be sure to bring lots of water, sun cream and your camera! Of course you can just enjoy the beaches and paddle a little. On your way back you should visit Moustiers Sainte-Marie, a little lovely village. A visit to the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Beauvoir founded in 5C by monks, is a must...enjoy...!
Les Porquerolles (close to Hyères) (145KM/2H30min...incl of a 15min hydro-foil trip from and to the main land) is a full day away and worth every minute of it.
NB! But you need to get going early in the morning, especially if you are visiting in the summer season! The island is beautiful, and the colour of the sea is pure aqua. No cars, apart from deliverely vans, are allowed on the island...everything is by foot or pedal bike! There are a few restaurants, but also some sandwich shops where you can buy your lunch and drinks and bring along on your rented bikes, so you might just go that little further and find just a spot somewhere on the sandy beach, where you can enjoy your lunch and drinks as well as a swim in that clear beautiful water. Check the time table, so you know what time the boat is sailing back to the main land...and don’t forget your sun lotion, maybe a good book and your camera – and then just enjoy yourselves!
The timings and distances are to help you a little, so the below list might make it easier for you to decide where to go...just remember most of the little pretty Provençal roads are not straight, so a few kilometers might take longer than you have anticipated, whatever any of the online maps and/or your GPS might tell you, as these are not always correct, but we always suggest you might also bring a good map, never rely completely on your GPS here in Provence...☺
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Do have a look at www.photos-of-provence.com as there are lots of wonderful photos from many of the places we have suggested you should visit, these might help you decide what and where to visit!
Some of the distances might seem a bit far, but there is so much to see while you try to get there, and you simply forget how many kilometers and how long you have been driving, and you are on holiday, so... this is how we have found a lot of lovely places, just driving along those beautiful Provencal roads, and before you know it, there’s yet another lovely village to visit...
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us, we’re only an e-mail or call away!
Should you be interested...you can also find us on Instagram... lisinprovence ...
We hope that you will come and enjoy our little B&B and have a wonderful stay...☺