Gordes

The houses of the picturesque cliff-top village Gordes rest against a mountain incline.

From the top one enjoys a broad and generous outlook on the scenic and atmospheric Provencial countryside. A half-gothic half-renaissancistic castle houses the Vasarely museum.

... Gordes

Many artists have settled in Gordes. Every year a lot of expositions are held. The whole village breaths a sphere of fine arts.

... Gordes

The sun, causing golden colour tints on the small streets with arcades and stairs built from piled up stones, invites visitors to walk at leisure.

... Gordes

The weekly market is a lust for all senses. Markets in the Provence are charming anyway because they offer an abundancy of beautiful and appetising artisanal products.

Abbey of Sénanque

Depicted in a quiet valley near Gordes lies the 12th century abbey of Sénanque, amidst the lavender fields. The abbey is an exceptional witness of primitive Cistercian architecture. Even today it is inhabited by a community of Cistercian monks.

Murs

Murs is a lovely, unspoiled village, off the beaten track.

There is only one café, one grocery store and a little peaceful camping site, where we pitched our tent. No barriers, magnetic cards or security guards. This kind of rural camping sites are very much to our taste.

A votre santé!

The Vaucluse is one of the oldest wine growing areas in France.

Grapes feel very much at home in sun drenched sloping regions, rich in various kinds of soils.

Rousillon

This certainly counts as one of the most charming and picturesque villages in the Provence. Roussillon is surrounded by fiercely coloured red rock formations.

... Rousillon

The old village is, of course, well-kept. Lovely red sand stone and red roof tiles make up the building materials of the local village people. The ocher-coloured houses are situated beneath the plateau of the Rocher, on which rests an old church. From here one has an appealing outlook on the vivid terraces underneath.

... Rousillon

The sand stone mountain range, holding 10 percent of iron, causes the fierce red and sometimes more violet and ocher colours. The natural park of jagged cliffs of ochre beside the village of Roussillon is called very applicably the Provencial Colorado.

... Rousillon

Admiring this lovely home, hewn in the ocher coloured rocks, we felt that its inhabitants must live very tight with their natural environment.

Avignon

Because of the political struggle in Rome, Avignon became the papal seat in the 14th century and held it for a century. For the popes it must have been paradise. They lived debauched and luxurious lives.

... Avignon

The monumental ensemble in the historic centre of Avignon is an outstanding example of late medieval ecclesiastical, administrative and military architecture.

... Avignon

Avignon's past is in many ways celebrated by the city's renowned summer festival. Started in 1947 it continues Avignon's long-time tradition of cultural excellency.

The sparkling cultural life can be felt even in the smallest little streets of Vaucluse's captal.

Lavender fields

East of the Mount Ventoux, the plateau of the Vaucluse shelters enormous lavender fields. As far as the eye can see blooming carpets of nice-smelling lavender are stretched along the ancient soil.

Venasque

Venasque is perched on top of a rocky cliff. For over 4 centuries it maintained the seat of the bisschops of Carpentras.

...Venasque

As of 1922 Venasque is billed as one of the most beautiful villages of France.

...Venasque

From this picturesque square we enjoyed a romantic outlook on the majestic Mount Ventoux.

At an altitude of 6,200 feet the mountain dominates the extent environs of Carpentras. The summit is not covered with snow, as one might presume erroneously, but bare and as white as a sheet.

Joucas

Relish Joucas and you'll never want to leave. Joucas has plenty of picturesque narrow streets, paved with ancient stones. It sends out a very relaxed atmosphere.

... Joucas

You can happily stroll around, admiring the lovely old stone houses surrounded by colourful flowers.

Gorges of the Nesque

The valley of the Nesque cuts through the mountains between the Mount Ventoux to the north and the Plateau of the Vaucluse to the south.

An attractive route of 12 miles winds along the dramatic landscape of the valley.

... Gorges of the Nesque

From the 2,860 feet high Rocher du Cire we relished a grandiose vista. On this spot the gorge elevates 980 feet above the Nesque.

... Gorges of the Nesque

In the summertime the Nesque is hardly perceptible. It is difficult to imagine that in the course of time this small river carved such a deep river bed.