The Journey to the Provence 2010

We started on May 28 about 9 o'clock. Fully packed by suitcases, bags and two folding bicycles we began our 1350 km (840 miles) long trip. We had a "technical innovation" on board: a satnav! On our German autobahns we don't need it so much, but in France we wanted to use only toll-free roads. We had to pay more than 40 €, when we would use the French autobahns, and this money we wanted to save!

Our Vacation Home...

View of the resort- in the background the Mont Ventoux

...is not alone. It is part of the big resort "Les Demeures du Ventoux". It is built as a small village. When we were there, not all houses were finished. Different types of houses - for 2, 4 and 6 persons- with different appearance and color configure a nice look of the resort.

Carpentras

Porte d'Orange

Carpentras, a small Provencal town, is not very popular with (external) car drivers when they must drive through this town. We had to go through very often in particular when we went to south. You must always use the narrow, angled streets through the lively city center. Often you must change the lane. At every time I had the feeling, I am new here and landed promptly in the wrong lane. But when you as stranger indicate to change at last second, the Frenchmen are friendly and let you in (otherwise they honk the horn mercilessly).

Les Dentelles de Montmirail

View of the Dentelles from the northern side

In the north of Aubignan the mountain range of Dentelles de Montmirail is located. Dentelles means translated " bobbin lace". They are our first hiking destination. We drive to the small wine town Gigondas. And now, let's go!
Our hiking guide proposes a round trip of  14 km (9 miles) and  about 6 hours.

Gorges de Régalon

(see also our youtube video)
The most narrow canyon of the Provence - this are the Gorges de Régalon. This enticed us to a hiking tour. Our hiking guide says: about 11 km and 3:15 hrs for this loop path. We drive via Carpentras in direction of Cavaillon, turn eastward at the outskirt of the "melone capital" Cavaillon (acc. to the ads) to the road D 973. On the right the Durance is flowing and to the left the Lubéron mountains are raising.

The Mysterious River - the Sorgue

On June 4 we met one of the curiosities of the department of Vaucluse - the river Sorgue.This river has a length of only 30 km and flows into the Ouvéze,a confluent of the Rhone. But not the length is so curious but its source.

The Mont Ventoux - First Trial

Deviation around the Ventoux

The 1912 meters high Mont Ventoux is present here everywhere. It is north-eastern of ours and is inviting to visit it. It is not a problem because a road leads over the summit, a road often showed in tv. This road is a popular distance of the Tour de France (but not in 2010). We want to "mount" it (by car, haha) from the west, from Malaucéne.

The Mont Ventoux - Second Trial

The right way to the summit

The friendly lady in the tourist office in Aubignan explained a second way to the Mont Ventoux, namely via Bédoin. This was a good tip even to visit the small, nice town submontane of the Ventoux. However, there was a lot of tourists mainly French. It is Sunday (June 6)and the weather is very nice. Mainly caravans and cars with draw bar are on the car-park.

Sur le Pont d'Avignon...

Pope's Palace in Avignon

Old towns in Germany and in France! There is a difference. In Germany every historic place is scrupulously clean, freshly renovated, painted by the best paints. Our cities look so beautiful as they just never looked in the past. In France in contrast old cities are even old, have scars, let crumble the plaster partly and the colors are faded a little. So, like in Avignon f.i.

As in ancient Rome ...

Pont du Gard

The small town Remoulin is only a few miles away from Avignon. It has gained its fame by the fact that the Romans built a water line almost 2,000 years ago. The valley of the river Gard is crossed by an three-storey aqueduct (49 meters high). This bridge is one of the best preserved Roman aqueducts.

Lost in the Gorge

In theVaucluse Mountains

The Provence is not poor at deep gorges. Today we drive to the Gorges de Véroncle, a canyon east of Gordes. Already the drive is an experience. From Carpentras we take the D 4. Latest from St. - Didier the scenery is always beautiful, where we can see in the distance the hills of the Plateau de Vaucluse. A city seeming to glue on the top of a mountain appears in front of us: Venasque . A visit is planned on the way back.

Roussillon - town in ochre

Roussillon - town in ochre

This town (or village) is an absolute must when you visit the Provence. In earlier times was (and is a little now as well) mined ochre. All the town is colored in ochre in all its shades. Roussillon is located on the north slope of the Lubéron.