Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Best Places to Stay
»Hôtel la Mirande (
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)
»Hôtel Boquier (
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)
»Hôtel l'Herbier d'Orange (
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)
»Sous les Figuiers (
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)
Getting Around
A car is a nuisance in Avignon - streets are often closed to traffic, and parking garages are
expensive - but to see surrounding smaller towns at leisure, you'll need wheels. If you
don't want to drive, buses from Avignon serve most villages; trains serve only larger
towns and cities, including Orange and L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
THREE PERFECT DAYS
Day 1: Roman Relics
Choose one of three areas to discover incredible Roman ruins. Near chic St-Rémy de Provence, explore Glanum (
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), the remains of a Gallo-Roman town built around a sacred spring. North of Avignon, Orange has the
best-preserved Roman theatre in Europe (
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)
, and is close to France's largest archaeological site, Vaison-
la-Romaine (
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)
. Pont du Gard (
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)
, the famous three-tiered aqueduct, is half way between
Avignon and Nîmes, the latter of which is home to a brilliant Roman amphitheatre, Les Arènes (
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)
.
Day 2: Cycling and Wine-Tasting the Dentelles de Montmirail
The jagged limestone Dentelles, dotted with sleepy villages and wineries, are ideal for exploring by bicycle. Tour-
ist offices at Vaison-la-Romaine (
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)
and Beaumes de Venise (
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)
provide detailed back-road
route maps tailored to all fitness levels. Worthy destinations include Le Barroux (
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)
, home to a mediev-
al castle and working monastery; and the little town of Gigondas (
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)
, where you can sample great reds
at cafes and tasting bars lining the sun-dappled village square.
Day 3: The River Sorgue Special
Arrive early to beat the crowds to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (
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)
, the River Sorgue's mysterious source.
After watching the giant spring bubble up from the earth's depths, float two hours downstream via canoe to L'Isle-
sur-la-Sorgue (
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)
, where you can lunch by the water, then explore antiques shops lining flowery lanes,
and admire 18th-century canals and moss-covered waterwheels.
