Resources and Links
Historical sites
Abbaye de Senanque — 12th century Cistercian abbey near Gordes open to visitors. Honey, lavender essence, and liqueurs are available for purchase.
www.senanque.fr
Roman Theatre & Triumphal Arch at Orange — one of the best preserved theatres of the Roman Empire (circa 27-25 B.C.) built during the reign of Augustus.
www.avignon-et-provence.com
See UNESCO.org for more information.
Avignon — Located at the confluence of the Rhône and Durance rivers,
Avignon is well known for its ramparts, its famous Pont Saint-Bénezet and the Palais des Papes.
www.avignon.fr
Villages
Gordes—the immensely popular hilltop village is crowned by the church of St. Firmin and a Renaissance château.
www.beyond.fr
Roussillon—the ocre-red hilltop village.
www.theluberon.com/places/roussillon.htm
Isle sur la Sorgue—this medieval town, built on the islands of five branches of the Sorgue river, is known for its waterwheels and antiquities markets.
www.theluberon.com/places/isle-sur-sorgue.htm
Pernes-les-Fontaines—a medieval fortified town, with walls dating back to the 16th century. As the name suggests this is a village with many ancient fountains; there is a walking tour that passes most of the almost forty charming fountains.
www.beyond.fr/villages/pernes-fontaines.html
Vineyards
Châteauneuf-du-Pape— the well-know appellation of the Côte-du-Rhône region.
www.beyond.fr/villages/chneuf_pape.html
Festivals
Les Choregies d’Orange— a festival of opera, drama and ballet takes place in the Roman Theatre in Orange.
www.choregies.asso.fr
Festival d’Avignon — an annual performing arts festival is held in Avignon in the month of July.
www.festival-avignon.com
Vaison-la-Romaine Dance Festival — Companies from all over the world come to perform at the dance festival, staged in the town’s atmospheric Roman Théàtre Antique. The programme ranges from ballet to jazz to flamenco.
www.vaison-danses.com
Festival d’Aix — an annual international music festival which takes place each summer in Aix-en-Provence, principally in the month of July. Devoted mainly to opera, it also includes concerts of orchestral, chamber, vocal and solo instrumental music.
www.festival-aix.com
Other festivals — for a more extensive listing of festivals see
www.avignon-et-provence.com
Bicycling
Biking in Provence—cycling is big in the Luberon, whether on the road or off-road.
www.theluberon.com/activities/biking-provence
Walking/Hiking
Le Luberon— Luberon Regional Nature Park offers walking trails, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, farmers markets, Geological Nature Reserve and Historical Museum of the Pays d’Aigues.
www.theluberon.com/activities/hiking-luberon
Mont Ventoux— a hikers and serious cyclists paradise.
www.beyond.fr/sites/ventoux.html
Climbing
Climbing near Apt—at Buoux, the south-facing cliffs along the right bank of the Aiguebrun river are an excellent, and popular, location for climbing.
www.planetmountain.com
Climbing near Avignon in Provence—The area to the north east of Avignon there are over 50 different crags offering good quality sport climbing. These crags are generally relatively small and spread out, which means they are usually quiet and peaceful places to rock climb, and are in stunning locations.
www.climb-europe.com/RockClimbingFrance/Avignon.htm
River Sports
Canoe & Kayak — The Famous river Sorgue runs from the exurgence of Fontaine de Vaucluse.
www.canoe-france.com/en/sorgue/
Other Activities & Interests
Wine Tours — www.wine-uncovered.com
Antiques— Over the past thirty years, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue has become the capital of antiques, with many antique dealer groupings in the town. There are many galleries and shops, and a large provençal and flea market every Sunday.
www.avignon-et-provence.com/tourism/isle-sur-la-sorgue/antiques.htm
www.provenceguide.co.uk/explore/isle-sur-la-sorgue-and-antiques-42-1.html
Bories — stone huts built by animal herders as far back at the 13th century.
www.beyond.fr/sites/bories-provence-france.html
Private Tours
Marlene Boyer — offers private chauffeured excursions and a “change of pace” tour alternative, designed to suit every walk of life. Marlene is an english-speaking tour guide and native of Provence. You will see and taste the best Provence has to offer with an emphasis on Cultural Tourism, Entertainment, & Gastronomy.
www.experience-provence.fr
Provence Tours as You Wish (Ventoux Découvertes) — offers private driving tours in an air-conditioned minibus, the itinerary is customizable to fit your needs and interests. Visit their site to see some possibilities.
www.ventoux-decouvertes.com