The Vaucluse Area
The villa is situated in the "Vaucluse" region. Ranging from the Comtat Venaissin landscapes which can remind you of Tuscany, to the dramatic ochre cliffs reminiscent of the Grand Canyon. Yet Vaucluse really stands apart, unique unto itself with its vineyards and lavender fields, picturesque perched villages strung along te Luberon hills or nestled in the secret folds of Mont Ventoux, and the unusual geographical feature of the Enclave of Valréas.
You should be aware that the summer is the season of culture , with theater festivals in Avignon, Vaison, Carpentras and so many other places. There are music festivals throughout, in particular the Chorégies in Orange.
With its mediterranean climate, it has all the ingredients of a true paradise for lovers of the great outdoors. Hills and mountains, cover half of the territory, providing over 2500 km of hiking trails. Easy hikes often take you through historical places.Many other sport activities are also available, such as climbing, canoeing, golf, wing sailing, fishing etc. .
Some One Day outings
The "Papal City" Avignon
Avignon is quite magnificent. The popes themselves lived there during nearly the entire 14th century. The seven different popes left a great architectural heritage that remains to this day: a circle of over 4 km of ramparts that surrounds the old city - during the middle ages Avignon was larger than Paris. As you stroll the city streets, discover palaces, churches, city mansions built along the cobbled streets, shady Italian-style squares.....
Typical villages mounted in the landscape include Bonnieux, Lacoste, Ménerbes, Oppède le Vieux, Gordes
Start in Bonnieux, superb perched village. The Cedar Forest, walking path (takes about 2 hours) through the trees. A vast cedar forest covers the crest. The discovery trail provides many breathtaking view points and has informative signs to learn about the typical Luberon vegetation. After Bonnieux take the direction for Lacoste, the village and its winding streets with stone houses, the splendid view over the village of Bonnieux. Continue your route to Ménebres , ranked among "the most beautiful villages in France". After this you can take the road up to Oppède le Vieux, 300 m altitude, overlooking the valley. Ruins of ancient ramparts, medieval castle, cobblestone streets. Last village you can visit during this 1day tour is Gordes. The stone homes are built along the hillside and winding around the château wich crowns the village.
Ochre lands
The small village of Roussillon, which is also ranked among "The most beautiful villages of France", is famous for its orchre cliffs. Streaked with colors from the brightest yellows to the deepest red. Around this area there is a lot to explore. The "Ochre Trail", the Bruyère hiking path to discover the flora in the ochre hills. Visit the village Villards, an old ochre workers village, surrounded by cherry orchards. Here you can visit the Provençal Colorado with it's ochre cliffs and canyons. The castle at the top off the village. The village bakery which has remained unchanged since 1890.
Fontaine La Vaucluse
Here one of the world's most extraodinary spring gushes forth. Natures own mistery, the underground spring can be a surging fury or a placid lake, depending on the season. Nearby you can find the village Isle sur la sorgue. The sunday morning markets and the 200 antique dealers who have there shops there (open in the weekend) have earned an reputation that goes beyond Provence and the French borders.
Mont Ventoux
Driving up to the Mont Ventoux it's worth to stop at Sault, built along the plateau like a balcony, the kingdom of lavender. The months of July and August are a symphony of lavender blues and deep golden wheat, the dark green of the surrounding forest, and the deep reds of the plowed earth. Driving up the the peak of the Mont Ventoux the views are breath-taking.