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Apt

Visit Apt (Provence, France)

The town of Apt is located on the Coulon River at the eastern end of the Luberon Natural Parc north of Aix-en-Provence and east of Avignon - it is in a fine location with Luberon to one side and the Vaucluse hills to the other.

Perhaps best described as a 'lived in' town rather than a 'tourist' town, Apt has a long history dating back to Roman times - and each epoch has left its mark on the city, waiting to be revealed by the patient explorer.

Exploring Apt

The most important monument in the town is the baroque style Cathedral of Saint Anne, built over the course of several centuries (11th to 17th). There are lots of features to discover in the cathedral, including a good number of decorative stone carvings, two very ancient crypts, and the ornately decorated Chapel of Saint Anne. You can also visit the treausry in the cathedral sacristy.

In the historical centre of Apt around the cathedral there are a network of old streets and houses with interesting features, and open squares with quiet fountains to discover, still largely encircled by the original ramparts of the town.

You will notice in particular the two towers with their 'traditional' provençal ironwork campaniles such as the one on the original stone entrance to the city at Porte de Saignon.

Other features to discover include a small amount of excavated Roman ruins and a substantial tower in the ramparts called the Tour de l'Hôpital.

The main market is held on Saturday, and Apt also has a popular farmer's market on a Tuesday with an impressive range of produce available. The most important and impressive market in the region, it does mean that Saturday can also get very busy during the summer...but is also the best time to visit.

Apt museums and galleries

The main Museum of Apt includes two parts, the Musée de l'Aventure Industrielle which looks at important industries in the region such as ochre extraction and pottery manufacture, and the Museum of History and Archaeology.

A second museum in Apt, the Maison du Parc du Luberon, is dedicated to the Luberon region including fossil finds in the region.

There is a gallery dedicated to the local speciality - the Faience d'Apt - at 20 rue Eugéne Brunel (see Faïencerie d'Apt for details).

Photos taken within 10 km

Tourist classifications for Apt

Apt is classified as a recommended detour town (plus beau detour)

Address: Apt, Vaucluse, Provence, 84400 || GPS: latitude 43.8769, longitude 5.39694

Map of Apt & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Cucuron 12km; Lourmarin 13km; Menerbes 16km; Gordes 16km; Ansouis 16km; Oppedette 17km; Simiane-la-Rotonde 18km; Oppede-le-Vieux 19km; Fontaine-de-Vaucluse 22km; Sault 24km; Venasque 24km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Apt.
See Provence and Vaucluse (the region and department for Apt) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Apt, France

• Luberon - regional natural parc (7km)
• Roussillon - most beautiful village (9km)
• Colorado Provencal - site of natural beauty (9km)
• Jardin de la Louve - remarkable garden (9km)
• Jardin à la française du Pavillon de Galon - remarkable garden (12km)
• Lourmarin - most beautiful village (13km)
• Menerbes - most beautiful village (16km)
• Abbaye de Sénanque (Gordes) - religious monument (16km)
• Gordes - most beautiful village (16km)
• Ansouis - most beautiful village (16km)

Market days in Apt: Regular market(s) are held in Apt each Saturday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Apt (Francais)