Whether your interest is viniculture, gastronomy, art, history, the outdoors, to only name a few, the choice of activities is endless. A typical day at Le Lavandin might be......

A morning visit to the outdoor market in Gordes, one of the "most beautiful villages in France" with shopping for a wide variety of local products and artwork. Lunch on a terrace in Gordes or in any one of the neighboring villages. Early afternoon by the pool or visiting cultural or historical sites, or wine tasting at local vineyards. A late afternoon trip to the local outdoor farmers' market for fresh flowers and produce. Dinner in one of the many restaurants that make the Provence so famous for its cuisine or test your own culinary skills and incorporate your market purchases into a wonderful dinner on the terrace at Le Lavandin. A moonlight swim in the evening before retiring.

OR.....

A morning hike or bike ride in the Vaucluse or Luberon mountains. Lunch on a terrace of a perched village you've climbed to. An afternoon swim in the pool at Le Lavandin. A late afternoon bike ride to the local farmers' market to buy local produce and flowers. Craft your evening meal from the days offerings and dine under the stars and the canopy of the oak trees at Le Lavandin.

To give you an idea of the wide variety of possibilities in the Provence, consult the following list of information and links. Further information will be available for guests at Le Lavandin.

Historical sites
Abbaye de Senanque— 12th century Cistercian abbey near Gordes open to visitors. Honey, lavender essence, and liqueurs are available for purchase.(See also Russ Collins' Provence Beyond)

Roman Theatre & Triumphal Arch at Orange— one of the best preserved theatres of the Roman Empire (circa 27-25 B.C.) built during the reign of Augustus.

Villages
Gordes—the immensely popular hilltop village is crowned by the church of St. Firmin and a Renaissance château.

Roussillon—the ocre-red hilltop village.

L'Isle sur la Sorgue—this medieval town, built on the islands of five branches of the Sorgue river, is known for its waterwheels and antiquities markets.

Pernes-les-Fontaines—a medieval fortified town, with walls dating back to the 16th century.

Vineyards
Châteauneuf-du-Pape— the well-know appellation of the Côte-du-Rhône region.

Festivals
Les Choregies d'Orange— a festival of opera, drama and ballet takes place in the Roman Theatre in Orange.

Bicycling
Biking in Provence—Russ Collins' Beyond Provence provides information on cycling in the region plus recommended maps and guidebooks.

Walking/Hiking
Le Luberon— Luberon Regional Nature Park offers walking trails, hiking ,cycling, horseback riding, farmers markets, Geological Nature Reserve, Historical Museum of the Pays d'Aigues,

Mont Ventoux— a hikers paradise

Climbing
Climbing near Apt—at Fort de Buoux, the south-facing cliffs along the right bank of the Aiguebrun river are an excellent, and popular, location for climbing.

Other Activities
Horseback Riding
www.wine-uncovered.com — wine tours

Other Interests
Antiques— L'Isle sur la Sorgue is the antique capital of the Vaucluse region, see some of the vendors.

Bories — stone huts built as far back at the 13th century.

© 2002-2008 Le Lavandin