La Madeleine

116km

Marseille 94km, Nice 225km.

Small supermarket and bakery in Viens 6km. Shops including bakeries and cash points in Vacheres 8km, Simaine la Rotonde 9km and Céreste 13km. Good selection of shops, bars and restaurants as well as huge weekly market in Apt 25km.

Oppedette
There are lots of marked trails through the gorges and you can either walk along the rim or next to the river in the valley. However, care should be taken as the paths are on the very edge of the cliffs and are not advisable for children or anyone with vertigo and should not be attempted in wet weather.

Les Davids (3km)
Nearby organic vineyard and farm run by the owners La Madeleine with farm shop offering a selection of wines, fruit, vegetables and local produce. Deliveries to the property also available.

Viens (6km)
The nearest Medieval perched village with regular Wednesday morning market and festival in August.

Simiane la Rotonde (9km)
Hilltop village with Medieval castle and international Baroque music festival in summer.

Reillane (16km)
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.

Banon (15km)
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.

The Colorado Provencal (12km)
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.

DAY TRIP IDEAS

Avignon (79km)
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. And 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 (93km)
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 (56km)
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 is normal market day).