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Vaucluse

The capital of Vaucluse is Avignon which is about the size of York in the UK, and is a walled city with its ramparts beautifully intact.  It has a famous bridge which is the subject of a well know song, you may have heard it, it begins: Sur le Pont D’Avignon , L’on y danse, L’on y danse , Sur le Pont D’Avignon , L’on y danse,
Tous en rond…..

Why you should visit Vaucluse for your next holiday in France

Peter Mayle and his bestseller ‘A year in Provence’, epitomizes Vaucluse and for many this is the ‘real Provence’.

If you are interested in history there is much evidence of the Vaucluse dating back to the Roman times. This can be seen in Vaison La Romaine with its digs and upper mediaeval city as well as in Orange, which has the best preserved of all Roman Theaters. In Cavaillon and Carpentras are Arcs de Triomphe and near Bonnieux is the Pont Julien Roman Bridge. Another architectural delight is the the imposing Palais des Papes in Avignon, it covers a vast area and more resembles a citadel than a palace.

For those who appreciate the produce of Provence will find the Vaucluse a paradise, from truffles which abound in the Papal Enclave and around the Comtat region, to herbs and lavender.

What to see and do in Vaucluse

There is much in Vaucluse to interest the whole family, children especially are catered for – you can visit museums and see prehistoric man, canoe and kayak on gentle waters, and take pony rides, cross through the forest in the treetops, make clay pots or your very own santon figurines, watch olive oil mills at work, learn to make chocolate and pastry, and delight in old-fashioned gouters on the farm.

For the grown ups there are the spectacular mountainous areas, as already mentioned, the dramatic Mont Ventoux which lies to the north and Montagne de Luberon which lies in the national park to the south. Numerous fine wines are produced here one of which is ‘Chateauneuf-du-Pape‘, produced just outside Avignon. Discover Vaucluse’s historical heritage of castles, stunning hilltop villages and the Roman centres of Orange and Avignon.

All the ingredients for a super family holiday and just to complete the experience splendid weather thrown in!

Places to visit

• The ‘Palais des Papes‘ in Avignon – take a tour of the vast papal palace and discover the luxurious lifestyle of the Popes before they moved to Rome.
• Fontaine-de-Vaucluse – visit the source of the river Sorgue, the most powerful spring in France.
• Typical Provencal Villages – marvel at the red ochre buildings of Roussillon and then head to Gordes, one of the prettiest hilltop villages in France.
• Gordes – the Abbaye de Senanque, north of Gordes, is built in the local golden stone and set against a backdrop of lavender fields and oak groves.
• Bonnieux – is one of the most attractive villages of the Lubéron, perched on a narrow steep ridge overlooking the plain covered with orchards, vineyards, and fields of varying shades of green.
• Mont Ventoux  – the awesome peak of Mont Ventoux, ‘Géant de Provence’ (giant of Provence) rises high above the rest of the region at 1,909m. It is one of the most distinctive sights and the highest point in western Provence.

How to get to Vaucluse

By Air:

Flights vary according to departure and destination airports, here are few route suggestions from London but you can also travel from some regional airports:

• London Heathrow/Avignon Caumont – approx 7 hours
• London Gatwick/Toulouse/Paris Orly/Avignon Caumont – approx 7 hours
• London City/Avignon Caumont – between 4 – 6 hours

By Train:

The brand-new Avignon TGV Station is on the outskirts of town, about 1.8 miles (3 km) to the south, between the ring road and the River Durance. It’s a long walk, or a shuttle bus runs every 15 minutes into town. You can also pick up a taxi or hire a car from one of the rental companies located at the station.

Eurostar has made the journey easy from London, St Pancras International to Paris, Gare du Nord is just 2 hours 15 minutes. Simply change at Paris and travel on to Avignon with their partner, TGV trains.

Or Eurostar Direct:

• Outbound: Eurostar departs from London at 07:09 arriving at Avignon at 14:13.
• Inbound: Eurostar departs from Avignon every Saturday at 16:30 and arrives in London at 21:30.

By Car:

Arrive at Calais (Eurotunnel) then take the A26 to Reims, A4 and A26 to Clerey, A5 and A31 via Dijon to Beaune, A6 to Lyon, A7 via Valence and Orange arriving in Avignon. It is suggested you make this a two day journey as the travelling time is estimated to take approximately 9 hours.