Excursions of Avignon

For a Half Day

Villeneuve-les-Avignon: The Pont St Benezet stops enticingly short of Villeneuve-les-Avignon, situated on the west bank of the River Rhone, allowing only a view onto the impressive fortifications of the Fort St Andre, built on the rocky outcrop of the Mont Andaon, in the 14th century. This ‘ville neuve’ (new town) allowed the King of France to keep an eye on the city of the popes across the river - although many popes and cardinals could not resist its charm, building their luxurious residences (known as livrees) on the site.

The Musee Pierre de Luxembourg still displays the wealth of the cardinal, its previous owner. A 15-minute bus ride (on line 11) links Avignon (the Old Town) with its New Town, stopping near the tourist office, 1 place Charles David . The key attraction is close by - the Chartreuse du Val de Benediction. Founded by Pope Innocent VI, in 1356, this was once the largest and most important Carthusian monastery in France.

For a Whole Day

Gordes: The Provençal village of Gordes lies atop the Vaucluse Plateau, overlooking the Sorgue and Calavon rivers. Artists’ galleries, restaurants and hotels line the sloping streets, leading up to a chateau built between the 11th and 16th centuries. The Gordes Tourist Officeis located just below, in the Salle des Gardes (Guards’ Hall). The easiest way for one to reach Gordes is by road (south on the N7 from Avignon, turning onto the D2 at Cavaillon), although the village is accessible by bus from the tranquil town of Cavaillon (buses run from Avignon to Cavaillon). It is worth exploring the whole area - just four kilometres (two and a half miles) southwest (off the D2) are the curious beehive-like Bories, first built in the Bronze Age but occupied continuously until the 18th century. To the north lies the 12th-century Cistercian Abbaye de Senanque, a functioning monastery surrounded by fields of lavender.

Vaison-la-Romaine: For a memorable day out, visitors to Avignon should hire a car and visit Vaison-la-Romaine, a two-tier town with a spectacular history - and an outstanding Tuesday market. The town is located some 40km (25 miles) north of Avignon and the best route is for drivers to head northwards on the N7, as if heading for Orange, but then cut across country, using the D977 from Joncquieres. From Vaison, adventurous drivers can head for Malaucene, a further 10 kilometres (six miles) south of Vaison, and drive over the summit of Mont Ventoux (although this should not be attempted in conditions of poor visibility).

There is a good if rather serpentine road all the way. The route back to Avignon, along the D938, takes in Bedouin and Carpentras (famed for its truffle markets between November and March). A more sedate excursion visits the charming Provençal village of Crestet, a hilltop settlement with a fabulous view, or Seguret, famed for its santons (clay figurines), Sablet, Gigondas and Vacqueyras, all renowned for their wine, as is Beaumes de Venise. A return through Carpentras is possible this way too. Vaison-la-Romaine Tourism can provide further information.