Off season is a great time to visit this area of Provence. Having guests for 10 days led me to the idea of checking out how the time might best be spent, despite some unusually inclement weather!
May is a month with many long weekends in France, so there is plenty to see and do!
Day 1
Arrive at your home for 10 days, in Puyvert, close to Lourmarin...
and settle in .... http://www.bergerie-puyvert.com
Start perhaps with a glass of Rose!
..or even a swim if the weather is good......
Then just wander into the village of Lourmarin and enjoy people watching at a local street side cafe.
Day 2
If this is a Sunday one can't miss the Antiques market in Isle sur la Sorgue. The streets are lined with market stalls selling antiques and/or junk! But all the major antique dealers are open to the public. A great opportunity to see all sorts of french items.........
One can lunch in the Cafe du Village which is usually frequented by antique dealers.....
Wandering around the town is also an easy way to pass the afternoon......
Day 3
May 1 is a special day for Arles, their annual Fete des Gardians.
Ladies, and some gentlemen, dress in their local Arlesian costumes.
This is the day they choose their Queen who reigns for 3 years.....
All making their way to the Roman Amphitheatre.....
....to watch the spectacle with the Gardians on their white horses from the Camargue.
The streets around the arena are incredibly narrow......
Amazingly the bikes made it through!
Day 4
After two days of car outings it's time to have a lazy day with lunch at a local restaurant.
Plenty of choice.....
P'tit Resto in Vaugines is off the beaten track but it has great cooking at a very reasonable price.
And while there check out the old church which has featured in Pagnol's films...
Day 5
Back once again into the car.... after all, you are here to check out the area! Go across the Luberon hills to Roussillon, check out the small village which featured in Laurence Wylie's book,
'Village in the Vaucluse'
And when you climb to the top you get wonderful views of the surrounding countryside....
And do walk the red hued canyons....
Then on to lunch at the Maison Gouin in Coustellet. This is a butcher shop/wine store/restaurant,
so obviously the meat served is good. As is the wine...
Day 6
Another day to stay local......
an easy round trip drive to the villages of Ansouis, Cucuron and Cadenet which are all small and charming.
May is the time of year when the roses are in full bloom.....
Cucuron has its weekday market on a Tuesday.....
Day 7
Visit the local market in Lourmarin to check out the action..
Buy produce to eat leisurely meals at home.
Day 8
Visit Aix en Provence. This is a very pedestrian friendly city, lots of stores and great markets.
The Cours Mirabeau is in the center with lots of mossy overgrown fountains...
In front of the Marie you may see people lined up for the civil marriage ceremony.
and then later see them in front of the Cathedral...
with its beautiful organ...
On the return journey check out Chateau La Coste.... maybe even take a walk....
Day 9
Have a very leisurely lunch in the magical Domaine de Fontenille.
Their outside terrace has a fantastic view...
and the food, served tapas style for lunch, is superb.
Their own wine is also great.....
Day 10
Go to St Remy en Provence, via Les Alpilles and check out Glanum .... with the oldest triumphal arch in France...
..and enjoy the view from it, which probably has not changed much in the past century....
The kitchen was , however, a little archaic.......
Day 11.........Back to the airport, with thoughts of a return journey in the not too distant future!
May is a month with many long weekends in France, so there is plenty to see and do!
Day 1
Arrive at your home for 10 days, in Puyvert, close to Lourmarin...
and settle in .... http://www.bergerie-puyvert.com
Start perhaps with a glass of Rose!
..or even a swim if the weather is good......
Then just wander into the village of Lourmarin and enjoy people watching at a local street side cafe.
Day 2
If this is a Sunday one can't miss the Antiques market in Isle sur la Sorgue. The streets are lined with market stalls selling antiques and/or junk! But all the major antique dealers are open to the public. A great opportunity to see all sorts of french items.........
One can lunch in the Cafe du Village which is usually frequented by antique dealers.....
Wandering around the town is also an easy way to pass the afternoon......
Day 3
May 1 is a special day for Arles, their annual Fete des Gardians.
Ladies, and some gentlemen, dress in their local Arlesian costumes.
This is the day they choose their Queen who reigns for 3 years.....
....to watch the spectacle with the Gardians on their white horses from the Camargue.
Day 4
After two days of car outings it's time to have a lazy day with lunch at a local restaurant.
Plenty of choice.....
P'tit Resto in Vaugines is off the beaten track but it has great cooking at a very reasonable price.
And while there check out the old church which has featured in Pagnol's films...
Day 5
Back once again into the car.... after all, you are here to check out the area! Go across the Luberon hills to Roussillon, check out the small village which featured in Laurence Wylie's book,
'Village in the Vaucluse'
And when you climb to the top you get wonderful views of the surrounding countryside....
And do walk the red hued canyons....
Then on to lunch at the Maison Gouin in Coustellet. This is a butcher shop/wine store/restaurant,
so obviously the meat served is good. As is the wine...
On the return journey check out Lacoste where the Marquis de Sade had his Chateau...
The view towards Bonnieux is magnificent......
Day 6
Another day to stay local......
an easy round trip drive to the villages of Ansouis, Cucuron and Cadenet which are all small and charming.
May is the time of year when the roses are in full bloom.....
Cucuron has its weekday market on a Tuesday.....
Day 7
Visit the local market in Lourmarin to check out the action..
Buy produce to eat leisurely meals at home.
Day 8
Visit Aix en Provence. This is a very pedestrian friendly city, lots of stores and great markets.
The Cours Mirabeau is in the center with lots of mossy overgrown fountains...
It has beautiful squares... even in the rain......
In front of the Marie you may see people lined up for the civil marriage ceremony.
and then later see them in front of the Cathedral...
with its beautiful organ...
On the return journey check out Chateau La Coste.... maybe even take a walk....
Day 9
Have a very leisurely lunch in the magical Domaine de Fontenille.
Their outside terrace has a fantastic view...
and the food, served tapas style for lunch, is superb.
Their own wine is also great.....
Day 10
Go to St Remy en Provence, via Les Alpilles and check out Glanum .... with the oldest triumphal arch in France...
and the Mausoleum...
Then on into the center of St Remy for lunch......
After lunch check out St Paul de Mausole where Van Gogh spent over a year and was very productive while there!
One can visit his room......
