Vaucluse
Visit Vaucluse, France
Vaucluse is for those who seek Provencal villages perched on craggy hilltops, important historical sites such as Avignon and Orange, and a great deal of impressive natural scenery.
Market towns & days in Vaucluse
all markets in morning unless otherwise stated
Avignon: every day except Monday
Bedoin: Monday
Bollene: Monday
Cadenet: Monday
Carpentras: Friday (high season only)
Cavaillon: Monday
Courthezon: Friday
Gordes: Tuesday
La Tour-d'Aigues: Tuesday
Le Pontet: Thursday
Le Thor: Saturday
Lourmarin: Friday
Malaucene: Wednesday
Maubec: Sunday
Orange: every day except Sunday
Pernes-les-Fontaines: Saturday
Pertuis: Friday
Piolenc: Monday
Roussillon: Thursday
Saint-Martin-de-la-Brasque: Sunday
Sainte-Cecile-les-Vignes: Saturday
Sault: Wednesday
Sorgues: Sunday
Vaison-la-Romaine: Tuesday
Valreas: Wednesday
Vedene: Tuesday
Selected places to visit in Vaucluse
Highlights in the Vaucluse, Provence
The Vaucluse department of France is in north-west Provence, to the north of the Bouches-du-Rhone department. It includes numerous attractions for visitors, including lovely villages in the Luberon region to the south, lavender fields to the east, the popular towns of Avignon and Orange to the west, and Mont Ventoux to the north.
Vaucluse: north and east
In the north of the Vaucluse stands the landmark mountain of Provence at Mont Ventoux, with its lunar landscapes being a very popular Tour de France ascent. It is found just north of the dramatic rocky landscape of the Dentelles de Montmirail, always popular with hikers, explored perhaps from one of the 'most beautiful villages in France' at Seguret. Near to Seguret is the attractive town of Le Barroux.
The popular Drome-Provence region, surrounded by lavender fields, is also to the north, around the town of Vaison la Romaine.
To the east of this part of the Vaucluse visit the town of Sault, set in the lavender fileds typical of the region.
Vaucluse: central
Towards the centre of the Vaucluse the landscape remains extremely scenic, and there are two important towns to explore in the western part of this region:
To the west of Vaucluse the bustling city and important regional centre of Avignon should be visited - both for the the grand Pope's Palace (one of the most impressive buildings in France) and the famous bridge, as well as the busy historical centre. To the north of Avignon are the important Roman ruins at Orange, which are some of the most intact to be found anyway in the world.
Other detours in the centre of the department include the towns of Carpentras and Pernes-les-Fontaines and the villages of Le Beaucet and Venasque (a classified 'most beautiful village in France').
Vaucluse: south
Perhaps the most popular destinations with visitors to the Vaucluse are the villages in and around the Luberon Regional Natural Park.
There are numerous perched (hilltop) villages across the region including several that are classified as 'most beautiful villages of France', set in the beautiful hilly landscape typical of the region, and each with their own special attraction and characteristics.. (See also Luberon for more details.)
Some of the villages to visit include those at Fontaine de Vaucluse - source of the River Sourge - and the perched villages of Gordes and Roussillon, and also close by are Menerbes, Oppede-le-Vieux and Lourmarin. Close to Lourmarin visit the small villages at Ansouis and Cucuron.
From Gordes be sure to take the short side trip to see the picturesque Senanque Abbey, in a quiet valley surrounded by lavender fields. While in the petit Luberon also visit the villages of Bonnieux and Lacoste.
The town of Apt is towards the east of the Vaucluse, with the village of Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt a few kilometres to the north of Apt.
See a list of all Vaucluse communes
Map of Vaucluse
French version: Vaucluse (Francais)
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