AROUND PROVENCE - Top 10 Provence and the Cote D'Azur - page 185

A Day's Drive in the Vaucluse Mountains
Morning
Start in Carpentras by visiting the synagogue . Take the D942 to Mazan
and on, through woodland, to Villes-sur-Auzon, a charming Provençal village.
Continue on the D942 to the Gorges de la Nesque to experience 20 km (12
miles) of awe-inspiring scenery, with sheer drops of 300 m (1,000 ft). Pause at
the Belvédère de Castelleras for heart-stopping views.
Continue to Monieux, stopping at Les Lavandes restaurant in the village centre
04 90 64 05 08 • under €30 if it is time for lunch and you fancy savoury,
rustic cooking. Continue to Sault where, in July and August, the valley is a riot
of purple lavender, yellow broom and the white of the rocks - an unmissable
sight.
Afternoon
Take the D164 towards Mont Ventoux , another challenging drive, and stop for
breaks at Col des Tempêtes for the views across Toulourenc Valley, then the
summit for the most stunning panorama in Provence.
Descend the mountain to Malaucène, taking the tiny D90 into the Dentelles
de Montmirail . Pause in any of the cafés in Beaumes-de-Venise for a glass
of the local sweet white wine. Continue to delightful Séguret , then return by
the D7 to Carpentras, rewarding yourself with dinner at Le Mesclun • Rue
des Poternes • 04 90 46 93 43 • €30-€40 Google Map , the best restaurant in
town.