Cheval-Blanc

We will stay in Cheval-Blanc, a small town located 6 km from Cavaillon or forty km from Avignon. We stayed here for almost two weeks, to wrap up our stay in South of France. Cheval-Blanc was well positioned to explore the many other towns in the area. The town itself was not that scenic, however, we rented a beautiful house and there and found numerous sights to see within reasonable drives of the town. We enjoyed it so much in 2025, we are returning for a stay again in 2026.

Our house had a large patio deck and pool. Of course the pools are not heated and the weather in October was cooler than normal so dips in the pool were short and intense! But we both enjoyed the pool. I swam every day in the pool -- either in the morning as a great way to start the day, awake for sure, or later in the afternoon after I returned from exploring other towns in the morning.

 

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

Saint-Rémy, a short drive from Cheval-Blanc, is a popular town to visit when in the area for good reason - it is charming. We have visited this town a number of times and I always enjoy walking the streets and soaking up the atmosphere. It is also famous as Vincent van Gogh was a patient at the Saint-Paul Asylym - a very pleasant location to visit.

Eygalières

 

Eygalières, was one of the highlights of the area. It is loacated in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, and is quite quaint with a population under 2,000. Visit the old village and take a short walk up to the Saint-Sixte chapel. There are large, no-charge parking lots just a few blocks from the main street in the village. I walked up to the remains of the old chateau at the top of the hill and then walked down to enjoy the town. If you are there on a Friday, well that is market day and the town will be busy. There are beautiful old buildings with doors and windows. Much to see and enjoy. I explore the town in the morning, drove back home and returned in the afternoon with Karen for drinks at one of the bars.

Oppède-le-Vieux

The Chappelle des Penitents Blancs, on the pathway up to the church.

I looked forward to returning to visit the remains of the old town, Oppède-le-Vieux. Don't leave off the "Le Vieux" when you enter the town's name in your GPS. The original old town is build on a hill with a long history. But at one point, after attacks and battles. By the 19th C people moved from the town to a new location in the valley. They would take off the roof of their houses as a way to not have to pay taxes. The town sat vacant but around 1940 artists founded a commune. Later, others artists moved into the old buildings, escape and safety, the a slow redevelopment took place.

You will enjoy your walk up the narrow streets up the hill to arrive at the remains of the chateau - check out the window - it is said one of the Popes which was staying in the chateau of safety, escaped with his life by jumping out one of the windows during an attack. Also at the top is the Notre-Dame-Dalidon church which opens around 10 am in the morning.

Just before you walk through the main gate to take one of the walks ways up the hill, there are cafes and restaurants to enjoy.

Lacoste

One afternoon I took a drive to visit the town of Lacoste. When you drive into the town you are in the more modern village, but when you head up the hill you enjoy walking, well maybe climbing, the narrow old streets of medieval Lacoste. At the top of the hill are the remains of the old chateau.

Cucuron

Enjoy a drink, or a meal at one of the many cafes and restaurants that are in the central square around the basin in Cucuron.

Another town, not far of a drive, was the town of Cucuron. A medieval town with a tower and some parts of its walls remaining. We sat and had drinks around the Bassin de l'Étang, which is a rectangiular basin, built in 1405 to collect water from the Luberon Spring. At that time the water from the spring powered the old flour mills. Now it creates a pleasant setting to enjoy the vibe of the town. No major monuments, just an old town with beautiful scenes where you can slow down, relax and soak up the feel of the South of France.

Ménerbes

 

Up on rock outcrop is the old town of Ménerbes. It is one of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Sometimes I question that designation but this town has charm. I was there maybe too early in the morning but I did enjoying walking the streets and taking in the scenes. It is noted as it was desieged for five years by the Catholics during the Wars of Religion.

Lourmarin

 

Also Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, this is a very popular town. The castle dates to the 12th Century, rebuilt in the 15th C, A good deal of the town itself was burned down duringf the Wars of Religion. Rebuilt and today a very popular location. The majority of the old town has no traffic. Be prepared to hunt for a parking stall. But once you can ditch the car, walk down the main street. It is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. We went one evening for drinks and enjoyed street performers, drinks and the vibe.

Goult

 

It is one of the towns that tourist articles note, is a town often missed, as travellers drive to better known locations. But my morning there was very pleasant. It is a small town with a population of less that 1200. The Chateau de Goult still stands. It was known in medieval times as Agoult, In the 14th C it was known for glass making. In the 15th C it was known for being passed from noble family to noble family. There are two squares, Place de l'Ancienne-Poste and Place de la Libération. I found the village pleasant and of course, a cafe makes the morning all the much better. Signts include the Goult castle, Saint Véran Chapel, a windmill and the Notre Dame des Lumières church.