Best known for the Cité des Papes - Avignon - Vaucluse is a multi-faceted department. Between nature and city, history and modernity, wonder is everywhere. When the Cité des Papes holds its festival every summer, it's even more fun to discover this small part of the département! An ideal destination to visit with children, Vaucluse takes you from surprise to surprise. There's plenty to do with the whole family, and plenty of natural beauty to enjoy on your walks. From Avignon to Orange, passing through one of France's most beautiful villages, discover with the Petit Futé the 15 must-sees and must-dos in the Vaucluse.
1. Avignon, City of the Popes
Not every major city is worth a visit, but Avignon deserves our undivided attention. As a historic city in the south of France, it has preserved some of the traces of its past, the most famous of which is the Palais des Papes. From its ramparts to its Gothic heart, a visit to Avignon is a pure delight. Of course, a short detour to the Pont d'Avignon, made famous by the nursery rhyme of the same name, is a must. The Pont Saint-Bénézet, or Saint-Bénézet Bridge, as it's really called, is sure to get the kids singing: you've been warned! From Basilique Saint-Pierre to rue des teinturiers, your stroll through Avignon continues to the tune of the cicadas.
Every year in July, the Festival d'Avignon is one of the best events you'll ever see. The city is transformed into a theatrical stage, with festivities attracting thousands of curious onlookers every year.
Go one step further with our 13 must-sees in Avignon, a city well worth a weekend away.
2. The Théâtre Antique d'Orange, a preserved past
While ancient theaters are often left in ruins, the Théâtre d'Orange is a clear exception to the rule! Magnificently well-preserved, the Théâtre Antique d'Orange has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. From the stone tiers to the theatrical stage and its preserved details, it's not difficult to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of yesteryear. Today, it's still possible to attend shows staged in front of this majestic stage wall, such as the famous Chorégies.
Good news! There's more to this pretty Vaucluse town than its beautiful theater. In addition to its superb Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, discover the 13 must-do activities in Orange, to punctuate your day of discovery.
3. Les Ocres du Lubéron, the unusual site in Vaucluse
The Sentier des Ocres (Ochre Trail) is one of France's most exotic and unusual landscapes. For millions of years, nature has been at work in the Lubéron, creating a land of yellow-orange hues, sometimes tending towards red. Landscapes of outstanding beauty! Like to visit unusual places? Then you've come to the perfect place. These colorful landscapes, located in theheart of Provence, are the result of geological formations subjected to erosion and industrial activity. There are several other sites where you can contemplate and understand these phenomena, such as the Colorado Provençal in Rustrel (we'll come back to this later), the ochre ecomuseum and the Mines de Bruoux.
4. The gorges de la Nesque, a spectacular canyon in the Vaucluse region
If you're a lover of wild, untamed nature, the gorges de la Nesque are the place for you! One of the most beautiful hydrogeological formations in the Midi region, this site takes you on a journey of discovery through a wild canyon surrounded by cliffs and caves. This remarkable site can be explored on foot or by bike. Classified as a Biosphere Reserve, it offers a magnificent patchwork of landscapes, each more beautiful than the last.
What about flying over the gorges de la Nesque in a hot-air balloon or microlight? They're just as beautiful from above!
Good to know: The Castelleras lookout can be reached by car. It can also be reached on foot, following the unspoilt paths. If you're a hiking enthusiast, you've found one of the best playgrounds in the Vaucluse!
5. Mont Ventoux, a hiker's paradise
A key stage in the Tour de France, Mont Ventoux attracts both professional cyclists and fans of spectacular views. Fortunately accessible by car for the uninitiated, Mont Ventoux is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It can be reached from Malaucène, Bédoin or Sault. At an altitude of over 1,900 meters, you can take time to admire the superb panorama, offering a magical view over the Vaucluse plateau, the Rhône valley and the Provencal Baronnies.
Tip by Petit Futé : don't forget your windbreaker, as there's an average temperature difference of 10° between the valley and the summit of Mont Ventoux.
6. Hiking in the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon
Do you love nature and want more? Head for the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon, one of Vaucluse's natural wonders! In this département, nature is almost omnipresent: hiking enthusiasts are in for a treat.
From the Petit Lubéron to the Grand Lubéron, via the Lubéron Oriental, the park stretches some sixty kilometers from east to west. From the Vaucluse to the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, your steps are punctuated by the discovery of preserved flora and fauna. Four communes nestle in this natural ecosystem:
- Apt,
- Manosque,
- Cavaillon,
- Pertuis.
How about taking a few days off, say for a long weekend, to discover the Parc Naturel Régional du Lubéron and its pretty towns? Please note! Firmly anchored in a sustainable development approach, the site is visited with the utmost respect for animals and plants: let's be responsible, even during our escapades!
7. Carpentras, a historic town in Vaucluse
Less well known than Avignon, Carpentras nonetheless has its own historic character. Its ochre facades set against pretty cobbled streets make for a delightful stroll. Every Friday, the weekly market is the perfect place to stock up on local produce. Not-to-be-missed sights include :
- the Porte d'Orange,
- the Synagogue,
- the Hôtel-Dieu,
- the Passage Boyer,
- the Episcopal Palace,
- the Cathedral of Saint Siffrein.
And why not take advantage of your visit to discover the Mont Ventoux confectionery? Little (and big) gourmets will love it!
8. The Dentelles de Montmirail, an outdoor adventure
With its rocky escarpments pointing skywards, the Dentelles de Mont mirail massif is a remarkable site in the Vaucluse region, north of Carpentras. Renowned for its beautiful hiking trails and rock-climbing sites, the area is also famous for its crus:
- Beaumes de Venise,
- Gigondas,
- Vacqueyras.
On foot or by bike, set off to discover an unspoilt site, accessible to all abilities. By bike, allow two hours to discover the wonders of the Dentelles de Montmirail, without having to exert yourself. Along the way, we invite you to discover the Lafare waterfalls, the Sarrasine tower and the Saint-Christophe chapel, for a 100% complete visit!
9. Lourmarin, Provencal charm
Lourmarin' s history has been punctuated by many historic events, and some of its vestiges have been preserved. A stroll through the town is all the sweeter for it! Surrounded by lush greenery, this adorable Vaucluse village, located between the Durance and Lubéron rivers, has retained its precious Provencal identity.
Your escapade takes you to the Château de Lourmarin, the very first Renaissance château in Provence. Lourmarin is also home to the tomb of the famous Albert Camus, as well as Château Fontvert. In summer, don't miss the music festivals that liven up the town center!
Not to be missed: from May to October, in the heart of the market held every Tuesday, a restaurant chef prepares his dishes in front of you, using local produce sold around him.
10. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a village of renowned vineyards
A visit to Châteauneuf-du-Pape sounds like a sweet melody to lovers of fine wines. Located in the Côtes du Rhône region, this wine-growing village finds refuge at the foot of its ancient fortifications. Although only vestiges of the Château des Papes remain, this exceptional site gives us an insight into the magnificence of this historic landmark. The tour continues in the historic heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, passing by the Maison Brotte Wine Museum and the Blachère distillery. Of course, it's also possible to visit the wine estates that produced the eponymous wine: wine tourism fans beware!
11. The Colorado Provençal, an astonishing natural landscape
Have you always dreamed of traveling to the Great American West? In the heart of Provençal Colorado, you'll feel as if you're traveling abroad, such is the exotic nature of the landscape. In the same style as the Sentier des Ocres (Ochre Trail), you'll stroll through a site of shimmering colors, the promise of a truly unusual visit. Located in Rustrel, the Colorado Provençal is a listed Monuments Naturels site. Sculpted by ancient ochre quarries dating back to the XIXᵉ century, it offers superb blends of color, creating a landscape like few found in France. Everywhere, eyes marvel at this natural spectacle: fellow Instagrammers, get out your cameras, you're in for a treat!
12. Admire the lavender fields of Provence
Lavender, the blue gold of the Lubéron, makes for a beautiful summer landscape. Admire, close your eyes, breathe in the scent of lavender: you're in Provence! Cultivated by passionate farmers, these immense mauve-clad fields are a pure delight for the senses. There are several sites where you can admire these colorful wonders, including :
- Lacoste,
- Bonnieux,
- the Claparèdes plateau,
- Saignon.
In Coustellet, take a guided tour of the Musée de la Lavande to learn more about this Provencal treasure, and why not treat yourself to a few souvenir products.
13. Gordes, its Bories village and other wonders
A hilltop village of ancient treasures? You just can't resist it? As one of the most beautiful villages in the PACA region, Gordes has plenty to offer. Among them, we can cite the magnificent village of Les Bories, made up of ancient stone residences from the XVIIᵉ century. Want to combine the pleasures of lavender fields with a visit to an ancient building? TheAbbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, with its mauve flowerbeds at its feet and the verdant mountains in the background, offers a superb visit.
So, are you ready to discover one of France's most beautiful villages, nestled deep in the Vaucluse? We are!
To remember : a little south of Gordes, discover one of France's most unusual museums: the Musée du Tire-Bouchon in Ménerbes.
14. Vaison-la-Romaine, the ancient pearl of Vaucluse
Vaison-la-Romaine is a delightful town firmly rooted in unspoilt, green countryside, with Roman remains that bear witness to its historic past. From the Archaeological Museum to the two Gallo-Roman quarters, walk in the footsteps of 2,000 years of history. Then cross the Roman bridge over the Ouvèze to explore the medieval upper town and the Château des Comtes de Toulouse. The cathedral and its Romanesque cloister punctuate this beautiful visit to the heart of Provence.
15. Discover the vineyards of Vaucluse
The Vaucluse Wine Route is a great idea for wine tourism enthusiasts. While Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the region's finest crus, it's not the only one worthy of note. The Lieux DiVins itineraries unveil their automobile tours of the Rhône Valley. From the Dentelles de Montmirail to the Monts de Vaucluse, via the Pays des Sorgues and Mont Ventoux, you're in for an exciting drive!
What to do in the Vaucluse with your family?
From amusing attractions to unusual discoveries, families are in for a treat in the Vaucluse!
- Leisure parks for families in Vaucluse
If there's one place your kids will be clamoring for, it's the Parc Spirou in Monteux! Some attractions are accessible to children measuring at least one metre (and up to 1.40 m). Other attractions are open to children over 1.40 m tall. In short, there's something for the whole family from the age of 4! You'll find the world of Spirou, with the famous Fantasio and Seccotine, as well as other well-known animated characters, such as the Marsupilami. The Wild West also comes to Parc Spirou with Lucky Luke, and the kingdom of blunders with Gaston Lagaffe. Pure family fun!
If you're in Monteux, stay an extra day to discover Wave Island. This tropical water park offers 33 fun activities for the whole family!
On the border between the Gard, Drôme and Ardèche departments, the Bollène Aventure tree-climbing park opens its doors to children and parents alike. A nature escape game is also organized here, to vary the pleasures. Nine fun courses, a giant zip line and a fun climbing area offer a great day's adventure, just north of Orange and Vaison-la-Romaine.
- Nature and leisure in Vaucluse
Take the whole family on a shady tour of the Enchanted Forest at Venasque. Funny enchanted characters populate these woods, where it's good to find refuge on a hot summer's day. Between nature and children's games, you'll discover the giant labyrinth and the accrorinthe, a daring acrobatic maze. Children will also love the mini-slides and climbing wall, as well as the zip lines.
- Swimming and leisure activities
The Vaucluse is great, but some people might be feeling a need for a swim... The Mediterranean Sea isn't far away, but it's far enough away that you can't enjoy it! That's no problem: you can cool off at Lac de Monteux (a town with a wealth of leisure activities!). Open all year round, the lake is an ideal spot for relaxing strolls, whatever the season, with Mont Ventoux as a backdrop. In summer, part of the lake becomes a leisure park. Pedal-boating, canoeing, paddle-boating: what activity will delight young and old alike?
Looking for the perfect place to hold an EVJF in the south of France? Set your sights on Avignon! With its festive atmosphere and enchanting setting, the City of the Popes offers a wealth of fun activities. What's more, Vaucluse is the perfect place to treat yourself to an inexpensive weekend in France, any time of year. Even in winter, with its magnificent Christmas market spread across the heart of the city, Avignon is the place to be. The Vaucluse is also a pleasant destination if you're looking for something to do around Montpellier, during a stay in the Hérault. With its excellent location, the department offers a wealth of activities for the whole family!
Tempted by our selection? Take a look at our train fares and book now!
