A small town near Avignon, Provence
We have stayed at the Maison AdriAna a number of times. Each time we find it such a relaxing location. The pool, right off the small house, is wonderful. Our host, Giséle is exceptional. There is a reason her rental receives a rating of 10 on Booking.com
Vedène is a small town with a long history located about 20 minutes from Avignon. We have stayed in this house a number of times. It is sized for two people with only one bedroom, has a wonderful pool just steps out of the door. A good location to explore the towns around the Avignon area.
Most of Vedène is basically a community of Avignon, a twenty minute drive. Vedène has its one small historic centre and it always a pleasant walk to go up to the top of the hill. A castle/chateau has stood there since the 12th Century. I enjoy passing through the old 17th C Clock Tower, along with seeing the church and the remains of the chateau. Don't expect a major tourist outing, but is is real history.
This is our third visit to the town. We return to rent "our" house, Maison AdriAnna, and use the location as a base to visit other towns in the area.
This year the old Clock Tower looked rougher, but there were some signs of work being done so hopefully the town will not let it decay away.
See photos of our visits to this town on our travel photography website.
On previous trips to the area I had always planned to visit this town. Thankfully this year I drove to to Venasque, a town holding Most Beautiful Village in France designation. It is a very popular location. As I arrived I followed the signs for parking. The route took we quite a disance from the town centre, maybee 700 meters away. But okay, that is not that far and I needed the walk! As arrived at one of the gates into the walled historic cetnre there was a small parking lot!
Walking through the old gate, the town just kepting giving off a great vibe. During the 6th to 9th C the Bishops of Carpentras took refuse in the village. The town already had a relgious founding. A religious community organized around the baptistery. The baptistery is noted to be the oldest in France. I had read it was difficult to get in, but not so. Once in I was very impressed with the interior. There are old columns from Roman temples. Next door is the church is also a sight to see.
This town is certainly worth a visit. Walk the pleasant streets, pick up some to eat in the cafes, enjoy the beautiful fountain.
Always worth a visit. Known for its 40 or so fountains. Some are dry but several of the larger ones are active with water. April to June is the fountain season when the majority are flowing. The town is completely walled, and entrance is through one of the large gates. I find the Porte Notre-Dame to be a favourite. It was built in the 14th Century and significantly increased 1548 and includes a bridge that crosses the Nesque River that holds a 16th Century chapel. Two other portes/gages are also worth a visit. The 11th C Porte Villeneuve, on the west side and 14th C Porte Saint-Gilles on the south-east side.
These gates held an important role for centuries for defence and stopping the Great Plague of Marseille that swept across the area in 1720-21. At that time a stone barrier, the Mur de La Peste, the Plague Wall, was built across the region to stop the infection. The gates to Pernes-les-Fontaines were locked, entering the town was through the Porte Notre-Dame. Pernes only lost 122 people to the infection while other towns in the area lost up to 25% of their entire population.
It is an interesting town, put it on your list of places to see.
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Our friends from Paris joined us and took us for drive through these gorges. Impressive scenery. A limestone canyon carved by the Nesque River and the D942 runs the length of the 20 km gorge. The road is narrow but there are a number of spots where there is an area for cars to pull over and you can get out and enjoy the view.
We drove through the gorges and then visit the scenic town of Sault.
The town has a pleasant feel, and we had a good lunch. Our server was a young guy from Mexico who has been to Vancouver! It is a busy town with many cyclists who have made the trip through the Gorges de la Nesque. If you are lucky to be there during the lavender season, drive the roads through the fields outside the town that sprawl across the valley.
We loved this town last year and returned to have lunch and a walk through the village centre. Eygalieres is situated in the Bouches-du-Rhone department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. To help get your bearings, it about a 15 minute drive from the popular Saint Rémy de Provence. We really enjoy this town. There is a feeling of understated elegance. The remains of the castle and Chapelle Saint-Sixte, a 12th-century chapel are at the top of the hill. The village centre is below. There is a large parking lot a block or so from the main street.
Put this town on your list of towns to visit.
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