Page 17 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

DISC OVERING PROVENCE  15

A Week in Classic
Provence
• Duration 7 days – or 10
with the additional trips.
• Airports Arrive and depart
from Marseille Provence
Airport.
• Transport Hiring a car is the
best option. Although much
of this itinerary is technically
possible by bus, infrequent
connections will make
getting around difficult.

Brantes and Mont Ventoux, north Luberon Mountains
Day 1: Aix-en-Provence
Today a cosmopolitan university Day 4: L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, red wine. In chic Vaison-
city and venue of a famous music Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and la-Romaine (p162), visit the
festival, Aix (pp152–3) was once Carpentras boutiques of the Haute Ville.
the capital of Provence. Stroll Wander through pretty L’Isle-
through the historic centre, sur-la-Sorgue (p169), with its To extend your trip…
with its elegant 17th- and 18th- canals and weekend antiques Spend a day exploring Mont
century hôtels and fountains. market. Just upriver, visit the Ventoux (p164), 32 km
Don’t miss the Cathédrale source of the Sorgue at the (20 miles) from Vaison –
St-Sauveur, with its triptych of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (p169), by car, bicycle or on foot.
The Burning Bush, the adjacent along with its paper mill and
Musée du Palais de l’Archevêché, Musée d’Histoire 1939–45.
with a unique collection of Continue on to Carpentras Day 6: Gordes, Abbaye de
secular Beauvais tapestries, (p168), which has a 14th-century Sénanque and Roussillon
and the luxurious 17th-century synagogue and a cathedral. Head back south through the
villa, the Pavillon de Vendôme. Dentelles (p163), pausing in
Day 5: The Dentelles de the old Huguenot village of
Day 2: More Aix and the Montmirail and Vaison-la- Malaucène, and Le Barroux,
Montagne Ste-Victoire Romaine for the views from its château.
Aix is also synonymous with The Dentelles de Montmirail Next comes the striking Gordes
Paul Cézanne: see his paintings mountains are among Provence’s (p173), a village perché. Visit the
in the Musée Granet, and visit most beautiful landscapes. nearby 12th-century Abbaye de
his evocative studio, which has Take the scenic drive (p163), Sénanque (pp168–9) and finish
been left unchanged. Take a starting in Beaumes-de-Venise, in Roussillon (p173), taking a
scenic drive around Cézanne’s famous for its dessert wine, and stroll through its ochre quarries.
beloved Montagne Ste-Victoire, carrying on to Vacqueyras and
which he painted many times, Gigondas, home to a famous Day 7: Apt, La Tour d’Aigues
and have a drink at his favourite and Pertuis
Café des Deux Garçons. Charming Apt (p176) has a
fascinating cathedral; learn
Day 3: Abbaye de Silvacane, about Apt’s famous crystallized
Petit Luberon, Cavaillon fruits at the Musée de l’Aventure
Some of Provence’s most Industrielle. Go through the Parc
beautiful landscapes and villages Naturel Régional du Luberon;
are in the Petit Luberon, north stop at La Tour d’Aigues (p177)
of Aix. Stop at the 12th-century for the Renaissance château
Cistercian Abbaye de Silvacane and ceramics museum, then at
(p151), then take the driving Pertuis (p177) to see its Gothic
tour (pp174–5), starting in Eglise St-Nicolas before heading
Lourmarin and continuing back to Marseille.
through the delightful
villages of Bonnieux, Lacoste, To extend your trip…
Ménerbes and Oppède-le- Head 42 km (26 miles) east
Vieux. End up in Cavaillon from Apt to Forcalquier
(p174), famous for melons; stay (p186). Spend two days in the
overnight to visit its exceptional A weekend antiques fair in L’Isle-sur-la- Alpes-de-Haute Provence.
morning market. Sorgue, the “Venice of Provence”