Latest Article
Beautiful Provence
a:Villars
r:Vaucluse
And we have never really visited Provence before. We Imagined sun-drenched lavender fields (in bloom in June / July), charming, beautiful villages, and endless glasses of rosé under the Provençal sun — welcome to apart of the world, where life slows down and beauty is found around every corner. And that's why we packed our Carmen and headed south. Whether you’re drawn by the scent of herbs in the markets, charming villages, historic sights, or simply the promise of a glass of local wine, this region in the south of France is special. Come along — Provence is waiting to charm you and we are sharing our Provence story with you here.
Avignon
a:Villars
r:Vaucluse
.. in our opinion when you are in Provence. Avignon is a charming historic city, best known for the impressive Palais des Papes (Papal Palace). In the 14th century, it served as the seat of the popes, giving the city a great religious and political importance. Today, the palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts countless visitors each year. Another famous landmark is the Pont Saint-Bénézet, known from the beloved French song "Sur le Pont d’Avignon." The city also hosts the renowned Festival d’Avignon every summer—one of the most important theatre festivals in the world. Surrounded by well-preserved medieval walls, Avignon’s old town has a unique charm that blends rich history, vibrant culture, and a lively atmosphere. It's a place where the past and present meet in the most beautiful way. A great city for history, dining and a bit of shopping too.
Towns, Sights and Markets in Provence
a:Villars
r:Vaucluse
And they are all equally charming, enchanting and beautiful in their own little way. We started in L’isle sur la Sorge, a picturesque town, known for its charming canals, colourful markets, and vibrant antiques scene. This town is often called the “Venice of the Comtat,” and is a great spot to wander and browse vintage treasures, followed by a long lunch or glass of Rosé by the water. A true gem for lovers of art, history, and slow Provençal living. Then we visited Gordes on market day, a town perched dramatically on a hilltop, and one of the most beautiful villages in Provence in our opinion. With its honey-colored stone houses, winding cobblestone streets, and sweeping views of the Luberon valley, it feels like stepping into a postcard. If you plan to go on market day, be prepared to search a little longer for a parking spot and take your walking shoes as some parking spaces are a little further away. The market is one of the most colourful markets in the area, the stalls specialise in soaps, lavender, fabrics and textiles. This was followed by a visit to Roussillion, another hilltop town. A striking village set against vivid red and orange cliffs, thanks to the region’s rich ochre deposits. Wandering its colourful streets feels like walking through an artist’s palette. With stunning views, charming cafés, and an almost surreal beauty, Roussillon is one of Provence’s most unique and photogenic spots. And another recommendation of ours is Lourmarin, a postcard-perfect village known for its elegant Renaissance château, art galleries, and lively café culture. Surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, it has a relaxed, bohemian vibe with cafes, bistros, shops and galleries. Everybody talks about their market which takes place on a Friday and is apparentely one of the best and largest in the region. This town has a very French, lifestyly vibe which draws you in. For an overview of all the markets in the area, follow this (link: https://www.seeprovence.com/markets/ text: link ) We also included two major sights on our tour and visited the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque and Pont du Gard, close to Avignon. The Abbaye is nestled in a peaceful valley near Gordes. It is a serene 12th-century Cistercian monastery, famous for its lavender fields that bloom in front of its stone façade each summer. Still home to a small community of monks, it’s a place of quiet beauty and spiritual calm — a must-visit for those seeking a glimpse of Provence’s timeless soul. The Aqueduct Pont du Gard, near Avignon is an impressive structure built by the Romans in the 1st century AD. It was designed to carry water over a distance of about 50 kilometers, from a spring near Uzès to the city of Nîmes. The Pont du Gard has three tiers and is the highest Roman aqueduct still standing today. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts numerous visitors each year. This structure is not only a technical masterpiece but also a stunning example of Roman engineering and architecture. When you visit, you can admire the aqueduct itself, explore the surrounding valley, and learn more about the region’s Roman history.
Where to stay in Provence
a:Villars
r:Vaucluse
Villa, Hotel or Apartments? Self-catering or full-service? On this occasion we chose a self-catering house for our stay in Provence. It was a cute, renovated stone house in the middle of a vineyard which is called “Cabanon” in French. A cabanon is a small, rustic stone hut traditionally used by vineyard or farm workers in Provence and other rural regions of France. Typically simple and without modern comforts, these shelters were used for resting, storing tools, or taking cover from the sun. Today, they evoke a nostalgic charm and are often seen as symbols of Provence’s rural heritage. Nowadays many have been refurbished and updated and are often used as holiday homes for visitors. And this is exactly what we found on a portal called (link: https://www.fewo-direkt.de text: FeWo) where you have a huge choice of different kinds of self-catering accommodations. Also (link: https://www.airbnb.com/?has_logged_out=1 text: AirBnb) and a site called (link: https://www.slow-provence.com/en/ text: Slow Provence) have wonderful choices for this area. We stayed in one place for the whole week and took day trips to different sights, towns and villages. I think next time I would change my location every other day to avoid spending so much time in the car. if you are interested in hotel options in Provence, please do reach out, I am happy to get you a few recommendations across.
Wine Tasting in Provence
a:Villars
r:Vaucluse
..and we chose this, the Domaine de la Coqulliade An exquisite refuge in the picturesque Luberon Regional Nature Park. A special place which has a long-standing wine legacy and connected to a beautiful hotel, that has endured for generations, a rich tradition yet also marked by vibrant modern spirit. And it is a beautiful, very charming place indeed. The hotel, nestled within the vineyard, is a worth a visit, so is the winery. And they offer a special tour, walk the vineyards first with one of their amazing team members who know everything about their wines and then try them then and there on the estate. We got lucky as we were the only people who signed up for the tour that day, and got an exclusive tour followed by a tasting of their amazing produce. In case you are interested, follow this (link: https://www.vignobles-coquillade.com/en/pages/home#716f4fa8-177a-4e30-a86c-7d76e3eb5b66 text: link) to book your spot in the tour. * Coquillade is a synonym for formidable migratory birds that seek an exclusive home in the heart of Luberon every year.
