Villa Les Vanels

105km

Marseille 94km, Avignon 47km.
Train stations: Apt (6km), Avignon TGV 57km.

Shops, bars and restaurants in Villars (1.5km). (It is possible to walk to village via a safe track).
Supermarket and Picard (quality frozen food) 1.5km.
Good range of shops, supermarket and restaurants in Apt (6km).
Hospital in Apt (6km)

LOCAL MARKETS

Sunday: Coustellet (26km)
Monday: Cadenet (28km)
Tuesday: Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt (5km)
Wednesday: Gargas (5km)
Thursday: Goult (16km)
Friday: Bonnieux 18km. Lourmarin (24km) – particularly recommended.
Saturday: Apt (6km) – the largest and best in the area. It takes up the whole town, but the nicest part is towards the Place de la Bouquerie. Please note that in summer, it can take a bit of time to find a place to park.

Villars (1.5km)
A little village built on top of a small hill with pretty views.

The Colorado Provencal (9km)
Situated between the villages of Rustrel and Gignac waymarked walks take you through a unique and colourful desert scenery with yellow and red rock formations created when ochre was quarried in the area.

Saignon (11km)
With its Roman church, walks, horse riding and superb views from the top of the village, Saignon is a must!

Simiane la Rotonde (22km)
Hilltop village with Medieval castle and international Baroque music festival in summer.

Lavender fields around Sault (27km)
Around June-July and onto August the scent and colour of lavender fields encapsulate the very essence of Provence. The French author Jean Giono called lavender “the soul of Provence”. There is a concentration of lavender fields from the high plateaux around Sault, at the foot of the famous Mont Ventoux, and also around Apt and Gordes.

Banon (30km)
Buy some of the famous and tasty Banon goat cheese at either market (every Tuesday and Saturday morning) and visit Le Bleuet, a fascinating book shop spread over four floors in the heart of the village.

Reillane (33km)
A fascinating and authentic Provencal village famous for its incredible festival in June. Wander through the historic old village or visit the Sunday morning market.
Parc Naturel Regional du Luberon (14km)
This is a region of stunning natural beauty with superb varied scenery and outstanding views. To the north you will find the wild mountain scenery of the Vaucluse hills and famous Mont Ventoux. To the south the amazing oak and pine covered slopes of the Luberon mountains. The Luberon valley is dotted with vineyards, cherry orchards and lavender fields enhanced by stunning hill-top villages. This region is also renowned for its quality restaurants and locally produced fruit, cheeses, honey and many other irresistible delights. You will also find many very good local vineyards producing excellent Cotes du Luberon and Cotes de Ventoux with tastings available at all the small Domains as well as the two big ‘Cave Cooperatives’. Colourful Provencal fabrics and beautiful table linen are also available in the charming local markets along with a large variety of pottery. A number of the villages have art galleries where you can view and buy from local artists.

DAY TRIP IDEAS

Avignon (56km)
Avignon, on the banks of the Rhone, is probably best-known these days for the children’s song – Sur le Pont d’Avignon. But for several decades in the 14th century it was the capital of Christendom, after Pope Clement V moved his court here to avoid the chaos in Rome. The legacy of that papal schism can be seen today in the city’s UNESCO-protected architecture, including the vast Palais des Papes. Nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape, site of a now-ruined castle built by a later pope, still produces acclaimed red wines. The city’s intact ramparts and pedestrianised centre lend Avignon a small-town, medieval feel. Yet each July, the city goes totally 21st century, as thousands of visitors descend for a contemporary performing arts extravaganza, the Festival d’Avignon.

Aix en Provence (65km)
Aix en Provence is a lively and very appealing town with numerous restaurants and bars near the famous tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, markets on most week-days where you can sample regional produce including Calissons d’Aix (delicious marzipan based confectionery). There are lots of wonderful art galleries all within walking distance from one another in the centre of Aix, shops, music and much more!

L’Isle sur la Sorgue (35km)
L’Isle sur la Sorgue is a pretty market town, much loved for its antique shops and twice weekly markets. Once an important fishing town, with an abundance of crayfish in the River Sorgue, there are also several canals running through the centre. Perhaps, unsurprisingly, the town has been called the Venice of Provence. The river has influenced the development of the town, providing for thriving crafts and industries, flour mills, wool and silk workshops. Many of the waterwheels remain adding to the picturesque charm of the town. Each Sunday there is quite a carnival atmosphere with a flea market, regarded as of the best antique markets in France (Thursday in normal market day).

NEARBY ACTIVITIES
Golf: Golf du Pays d’Apt (1.5km), Saumane de Vaucluse (34km).
Tennis: Apt (6km).
Horse-riding (1.8km).
Bike hire Apt (6km).