Set off on a guided tour at sunrise or sunset
A number of Tourist Offices or professionals offer guided tours at sunrise or after nightfall during the summer months. Here’s our selection of top picks:
– Ascent the Mont Ventoux at night to watch the sunrise or the sunset with Aventoux Rando
– Tour by night with Les Noctambules to wander the narrow streets of Avignon or Villeneuve-les-Avignon.
– Tour of La Chartreuse in the moonlight in Villeneuve-les-Avignon, to cross the Rhône River and immerse yourself in this magical place with its cloisters and gardens.
Slip into the shade of stone monuments or the cool hush of museum galleries
When the sun is high in the sky and the air is thick with heat and the clicking of cicadas, it’s time to wake up and widen your horizons in the cool!
– Around Apt, by reliving the fascinating history of Saint Anne Cathedral, or plunging into the colourful labyrinth of the Bruoux ochre mines.
– Around Gordes, in the immense network of underground olive mills and cisterns located in the cellars of Saint Firmin palace in the centre of Gordes, or in the tranquillity of the cloisters of Sénanque Abbey.
– In Avignon, opt for one of the city’s municipal museums, with free entry, for decorative arts at the Vouland Museum, or to delve into contemporary art at the Lambert Collection.
– Discover the incredible riches of the Roman era brought to life in Vaucluse at the Roman museums of Vaison la Romaine or Orange and attend one of the 73 performances of the Odyssée Sonore.
– Explore the depths of the Grottes de Thouzon caves near Isle sur la Sorgue
Take to the skies
Up on Mont Ventoux, the temperature drops as the altitude climbs.
You can opt for a picnic, a walk, try out the various activities on offer at Mont Serein resort, or even explore the mountain at sunrise with a night-time climb (make a reservation at the Ventoux Provence Tourist Office or Ventoux Passion Nature).
Night climb of Mont Ventoux:
Don’t forget your jumpers, gloves and hats!
A little nap, then an ice cream
A nap in the shade
Not much advice is needed for a nap! The moment you arrive in Provence and hear the clicking of the cicadas, you’re already dreaming of a hammock strung between two holm oaks or closed shutters in the cool shade of your tiled bedroom in a gite.
When it comes to ice cream, here’s our expert advice:
In Avignon: La Princière and Authentique
In Orange: Régal Tendance
In southern Luberon, at La Glacière alongside Cucuron’s pond
In Sault, a lavender sorbet at Boyer
…and many more!
Let’s head to the Sorgue!
The waters of this emerald river, which springs from the depths of the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, never exceed 13°C! This creates a feeling of freshness as you approach the river.
Although swimming is not permitted, you can make your way downriver by kayak with Kayak Vert or Canoé Evasion,
Have a picnic on the banks at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse,
follow its course on foot,
or dip your feet into the water whilst tucking into an ice cream at l’Isle sur la Sorgue.
Coming to life at night
Enjoy a restful day, leaving plenty of energy in the evening for:
– Buying local fruit and vegetables at one of the several farmers’ markets held in the evening
– Going stargazing at the SIRENE Observatory in Lagarde d’Apt
– Taking part in a “Sunset Vigneron” (Vineyard Sunset) in the Luberon or enjoy a drink in the Côtes du Rhône Wine Bar during the Festival of Avignon in July