Tourist destinations in the area
Located in the valley of the Rhone, the Roman Theater of Orange is, without doubt, one of the finest remains of the Roman Empire and, as such, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is, in fact, the best preserved theatre in the whole of Europe. The Roman Theater of Orange is extraordinary in that it has retained its magnificent stage wall - surprisingly well preserved and unique in the Western world. Because of the wall it still has wonderful acoustics. It was a great centre for shows in Roman times and still draws huge audiences to musical events today.
Between the Rhone Valley and the Mont Ventoux, Vaison is situated at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, in a hilly countryside perfumed by vines and olive trees. This little Provençale city holds an exceptionally rich Roman and Medieval architectural heritage. The Roman Theatre houses prestigious cultural events, such as the Festival of Vaison-La-Romaine and the Choralies. The cultural events, concerts, expositions, conferences, theatre all year round make Vaison an authentic City of Art.
Ancienne résidence des papes au 14ème siècle, Châteauneuf du Pape est aujourd’hui mondialement réputé pour son grand cru. http://www.chateauneuf.com/english/index.html
Admirably integrated into a natural site that has preserved its wild charm, The Pont du Gard fascinates each of its visitors with its elegance and majesty. Two thousand years after its construction, this ancient edifice is still a veritable masterpiece, as much for the technical prowess involved as for its simple beauty. This monument is registered as a World Heritage of Man since 1985. It attracts more than a million tourists each year; the 2nd most visited provincial monument after Mont-Saint-Michel.
“Revealed, from the distance, on all sides, is almost always before your eyes” (Petrarque). The Giant of Provence, culminating at 1912 m, making it recognisable from a 100 km radius.
Isle sur la Sorgue is a charming Provencal town 25km southeast of Avignon. The numerous canals and branches of the Sorgue have given the town the nickname of the Venice of the Comtat. Isle sur la Sorgue is the chosen home of many antique and second-hand goods dealers. Each week-end, the market counts about 300 stalls, and more than 500 during the antique fairs at Easter and August 15, attracting an international clientele. Birthplace of the poet Rene Char, the town is also home many galleries and exhibitions.
Fontaine de Vaucluse is one of the most visited places in the Vaucluse. The success of the village is essentially due to the impressive spring which flows out of the 230 m high cliff. This gigantic source is the most powerful on France and fifth in the world. 630 million cubic meters of water flow out every year. The emerald green calm summer waters become spectacular in the wet seasons, (automn and spring). Fontaine de Vaucluse inspired the poets Frédéric Mistral, François Pétrarque and René Char. They were seduced by the beauty of the place and enchanted by walks along the verdant banks of the River Sorgue.
Located at the foot of the Alpilles, Saint Remy de Provence has an exceptionally rich historical heritage. This small, dynamic city has kept its traditions and personality. The festive events give rythm to the town : the bull fights and other bull related events, the sheep migrating festival, the horse fair, concerts and exhibitions. Seduced by the setting and atmosphere of the town, many writers, painters and musicians have chosen to live here.
City of water springs, city of Art, Aix en Provence marvelously exemplifies the Provençal art of living so admired by the rest of the world. The boulevards shaded by majestic sycamores, the streets bordered by rich private residences, the discreet squares ornamented with beautiful fountains and garnished with welcoming sidewalk coffee, Aix inevitably seduces those who take the time to linger. Cultural capital, Aix en Provence welcomes many artists. Cezanne made it his city, and the surrounding countryside inspired some of his greatest impressionist masterpieces.
In Roussillon, on a hill between the mountains of the Vaucluse and the Luberon, an artistic god spread his palette across the land to our good fortune. Under the azure blue Provençal sky the earth blazes with color, broken only by the deep green of the pine forests. The houses of the village offer the passers-by a harmony of enchanting colors. The site has seduced many artists. The narrow lanes house art galleries, craftspeople and some very good restaurants.
Rustrel is a tiny village leaned at feet of Albion’s tray in the Regional Natural reserve of Luberon which widely deserves your bend for his surprising cliffs of ochre that one calls Provençal Colorado. The exploitation of the begun ochre one century ago behind, allowed Rustrel to be an important centre of production and to participate in industrial revolution from these ferruginous ores. Today, after a long decline, the exploitation of the site touches its end, Provençal Colorado begins a second life by opening to the guests amazed with the palette of colours and forms offered on the site.
Notre-Dame de Senanque, founded in 1148, is a Cistercian abbey near the village of Gordes, in Provence. The Abbey of Senanque hidden in the green valley is where the Cistercian monks live producing honey, lavender essence, and liqueurs.
Built on the foothills of the Monts of Vaucluse, facing the Luberon, Gordes is one of the most well-known hilltop villages in the region, and one of the most beautiful in France. Its houses and buildings of white stone root themselves into the sharp cliff of the mountain, its labyrthinth of “calades” (narrow cobblestone streets) do not leave the visitor indifferent to its charms. Many artists have stayed in Gordes and have contributed to its fame. Some, such as André Lhote, Marc Chagall, Victor Vasarely and Pol Mara came to stay. The village is the seat of many cultural events in summer with its museums, a festival, concerts and numerous exhibitions. In the commune of Gordes you will also find the Bories Village and the Abbey of Senanque.
The village is officially classified and labelled as “one of the most beautiful villages in France”. Its cultural heritage is exceptionally rich, with 22 architectural treasures classified as “Historic Monuments” (including the church, chateau, town-hall, hospital, chapels, houses, doorways…
Cathedrale d’Images at Les Baux de Provence
With simple and direct access, these former quarries, dug out by the hand of Man since the Roman era, offer visitors an extravaganza of pictures and entrancing music.
With an area of over 930 km², the Camargue is western Europe’s largest river delta. The Camargue is home to more than 400 species of birds, the brine ponds providing one of the few European habitats for the greater flamingo. It is also famous for bulls and the Camargue horse.
St. Maries de la Mer is situated on the Mediterranean coast in the Heart of Camargue’s Nature Park. Surrounded by immense plains filled with ponds and wild lands the city has many activities to offer all within the framework of a protected environment. St. Maries is especially famous for its oldest tradition which consists of being the meeting place for the gypsy people. Their rich folklore and music attract many visitors all throughout the year.
Datant du Ve siècle avant J.C., cette “Rome Gauloise”, colonisée par César en 46 avant J.C., nous laisse de nombreux et prestigieux vestiges de cette présence romaine : ce passé symbolisé avant tout par les arènes et le théâtre antique revit sous nos yeux, puisque ces lieux restent fidèles à leur vocation : aux jeux de cirque romains ont succédé en effet les férias si populaires aujourd’hui.
The name of Arles is closely connected with that of Vincent Van Gogh. It is impossible to evoke the light of Arles without thinking of his paintings. It was this luminosity that attracted Van Gogh to the south of France. Vincent arrived in Arles one day in February1888 looking for the outside light but also seeking an interior illumination. Here he started a period of intense and impassioned work under the bright sunny sky of Provence. His stay in Arles was the most productive period of his life : the more than 300 paintings and drawings done in his 15 months here form one of the most brilliant chapters in the history of art. Even though there are no original paintings by Van Gogh in the city, the shadow of his presence is everywhere.
The information on this page is based upon various touristic websites, especially official webpages of the respective cities and Provencal monuments.
