Pertuis - 36 kilometres
In many ways Pertuis is similar in feel to Aix-en-Provence. It's a traditional town, with lots of narrow streets, vaulted archways, numerous fountains dating from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, fourteenth century walls and the remains of a sixteenth century château providing historical interest. All the usual facilities of a large town can be found here. Every Wednesday and Saturday morning is market day.
Pont-du-Gard - 82 kilometres
An amazing accomplishment of Roman architecture and engineering, the Pont du Gard is one of the largest and best preserved aqueducts in the world. This three tier aqueduct was built in the first century AD as part of a 50 kilometre canal to supply Nîmes with water from the Eure spring near Uzès. It's setting across a rocky gorge 50 metres above the Gardon River is nothing less than spectacular. It has not only been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985, but is regarded by architects and engineers as one of the wonders of the world of Roman architecture. The Pont du Gard attracts more then 1,250,000 visitors every year. La Grande Expo tells the history of the aqueduct and the Ludo is especially for children to learn more about this amazing monument. If you buy a ticket for La Grande Expo, parking is free. If not, be prepared to pay about 5 Euros.
Rousillon - 16 kilometres
This ochre red village is a real tourist destination on the southern edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse and dates from the Neolithic time. Rousillon is a beautiful village, with its red cliffs, red rocks, red stone buildings and red tile roofs. It is, however, firmly on the tourist trail: all the roads in and around the village have pay parking only (about 2 Euros) and you should expect to pay somewhat higher prices than elsewhere. However, evenings are surprisingly peaceful. The old part of the village is well kept and very pretty with the remains of an ancient château and a nineteenth century clock and bell tower. This must be one of the most scenic village squares in Provence and there are numerous cafés and restaurants. Bistro de Rousillon and Café Mincka are both good value with similar prices (plats du jours from 14 Euros and menus from 20 Euros), tables in the square and terraces with great views. The little Crêperie Saladerie serve scrumptious omelettes and tasty salads. Market day is Wednesday morning.
The Giants' Causeway is a natural park of jagged ochre cliffs on the southern edge of the village. This richly coloured ochre canyon - formerly a quarry - explains the colour of the village. A walking tour of this park takes under an hour and is extremely beautiful. Entry is 2 Euros per person and the park is open daily from 10am - 5.30pm. A walk through the village at sunset up to the château is well worth doing and offers impressive views of the valley below.
Rustrel - 14 kilometres
under construction - (rather than erosion)
St. Rémy-de-Provence - 56 kilometres
St. Rémy is a beautiful Gallo-Roman town steeped in history. The old quarter is pretty and picturesque with a shady square in front of the Mairie, a 200 year old dolphin fountain and a protective fourteenth century wall. This busy, active town has a good selection of restaurants, cafés and shops, with particularly good regional pottery. Market days are Wednesday mornings in the old town and Saturday mornings near the Eglise de St. Martin.
Nostradamus, known in ancient France as an outstanding physician and elsewhere in the world as a prophet, was born here in 1503. Doctor Albert Schweitzer was hospitalised here in 1917 and wrote part of his philosophical study of civilisation whilst recovering. Vincent Van Gogh was voluntarily confined in the Asylum of St. Paul in St. Rémy. During this period, he painted two of his most well-known works: 'Starry Night' and 'Self-portrait'. He was released from the asylum in May 1890 and returned to Paris. He shot himself in July 1890 and died two days later.
A few minutes walk away is Glanum, the most significant archaeological site in France, like a mini Pompei and not to be missed.
Apparently, Caroline of Monaco lives here and the late Princess Diana bought property here.
St. Saturnin-lès-Apt - 13 kilometres
This pretty medieval village nestles along the base of a low cliff with the ruins of a castle above at one end and an old windmill at the other. Behind the cliffs is a ravine that has been dammed to form a crystal clear lake which was originally used as the local water supply. Fishing is permitted here with permits available from the Café des Voyageurs in the village. St. Saturnin is an authentic medieval village and thankfully hasn't been spoilt by hundreds of tourists. A few main streets run through the village parallel to the hills and many little streets cross through low vaulted passages beneath the houses. Behind the village, paved steps and pathways lead up to the remains of the eleventh century walls and on to the ruins of a massive seventeenth century defensive castle. The Eglise St. Etienne built in 1860 and the Chapelle Castrale St. Saturnin from the eleventh century provide more historical interest. Three windmills from the seventeenth century once stood above the village. Today, two have been restored. With the oak forested hillsides, this is obviously a truffle region. In the centre of St. Saturnin, there is a life-sized statue of Joseph Talon, Pére de la Trufficulure (the father of truffle raising) - where else but in France!!
St. Saturnin has several restaurants and cafés which offer reasonably priced menus. St. Saturnin is especially popular with hikers on their way to the Plateau de Vaucluse and the Café des Voyageurs sells hiking maps of the region. Every Tuesday is market day and every May the Festival de Jazz en pays d'Apt is held in the village.
Verdon Gorge - 106 kilometres
The Grand Canyon du Verdon, also known as the Gorges du Verdon, is an immense and spectacular canyon that forms the border between the Alps de Haute Provence and the Var. Up the 700 metres deep, this 21 kilometre long canyon is unique in Europe. The gigantic cliffs and deep ravines are the result of the erosion of the Verdon River. Hundreds of 400,000 year old artefacts have been unearthed in the Grotte de la Baume Bonne in the Gorge du Verdon. These are displayed in the fascinating Musée de Prehistorire which is the largest such museum in Europe. Set in the midst of the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon, this area is rich in flora and fauna and the scenery here is spectacular. From Castellane to the village of Rougons, the road follows the banks of the fast flowing Verdon River. Stunning walking trails follow the course of the river and pass through villages nestled at the foot of the gorge. Countless activities are available here, from white water rafting, kayaking, windsurfing, waterskiing, sailing and fishing to paragliding, climbing, horse riding, mountain biking and hiking.