Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Information
Tourist Office
( 04 90 05 60 25;
www.roussillon-provence.com
; place de la Poste;
10am-noon & 1.30-5pm Mon-Sat)
LAGARDE D'APT
Lagarde d'Apt, 20km northeast of St-Saturnin-lès-Apt, is home to an 800,000-sq-metre lavender farm,
Château du
Bois
( 04 90 76 91 23;
www.lechateaudubois.com
)
, where a 2km lavender trail blazes from late June until mid-
July when the sweet-smelling flower is harvested. Also in Lagarde d'Apt, beneath some of Europe's darkest night-
time skies, the
Observatoire Sirene
( 04 90 75 04 17;
www.obs-sirene.com
; day/night/child €10/15-50/free;
)
reveals astronomical wonders using high-powered telescopes. Reservations essential for star-gazing sessions.
St-Saturnin-lès-Apt
pop 2479
About 9km north of Apt, and 10km northeast of Roussillon, St-Saturnin-lès-Apt is re-
freshingly ungentrified and just beyond the tourist radar. Shops (not boutiques), cafes and
bakeries line its cobbled streets. It has marvellous views of the surrounding Vaucluse plat-
eau - climb to the
ruins
atop the village for knockout views. Or find the photogenic
17th-
century windmill,
Le Château les Moulins, 1km north, off the D943 toward Sault.
On the edge of the village, see how olives are milled into top-quality olive oil at
Moulin à Huile Jullien
( 04 90 75 56 24;
www.moulin-huile-jullien.com
; rte d'Apt, St-
Saturnin-lès-Apt; Mon-Sat, afternoons only Oct-Apr)
, which also makes excellent
honey. Tastings and mill tours are free.
Word of mouth keeps
Le Restaurant L'Estrade
( 04 90 71 15 75; 6 av Victor
Hugo; menus from €15)
buzzing. The earthy menu showcases the season's freshest in-
gredients. Great destination when road-tripping the Luberon. Call ahead.
