Provence - Travel Service
Shelter: L'Anastasie: rural tranquility less than a five-minute drive from the city bustle. Simple, but nice rooms. Hôtel de Blauvac: Familiar city hotel in the center, a bit loud. (11, rue de la Bancasse, 84000 Avignon, Tel. 0490/863411, Fax 862741). Eat: Christian Etienne: first gourmet address in a 14th-century palace. (10, rue de Mons, Tel. 0490/861650, Fax 866709). La Cuisine de Reine: very fine, innovative Provence kitchen. (83, rue Joseph-Vernet, Tel. 0490/859904, Fax 857803). L'Entrée des Artistes: Bistro with simple country fare. (10, rue de Mons / Place Jean-Vilar, Tel. 0490/824690, Fax 140340). Worth seeing: Festival D'Avignon: famous theater festival, information: from the beginning of May via the Bureau du Festival d'Avignon (8 bis, rue de Mons, 84000 Avignon, tel. 0490/276650, pre-orders on tel. 0490/141414, Internet: www.festival -avignon.com). Parallel to this there will be a street and street theater festival (info: Avignon Public off - BP5 -, 75521 Paris cedex 11, Tel. 0148/050119, Internet: www.avignon-off.org). And: the 14th-century Papal Palace, the much-admired Pont St. Bénézet bridge, and the Saturday-themed flea market on Place Crillon. Cooking lessons: three to four hours with top French chefs at the Hôtel de la Mirande, including meal: (4, Place de la Mirande, 84000 Avignon, Tel. 0490/859393, Fax 86 26 85, Internet: www.la-mirande.fr).
L 'ISLE SUR LA SORGUE
Friendly village on the western edge of the mountains with waterways and romantic bridges; It is also the Luberon's antiquities capital, even though the prices of second-hand dealers are more a source of amazement than buying. Shelter: Domaine de la Fontaine: lovingly restored country house alone on a wide field. (920, chemin du Bosquet, Tel. 0490/380144, Fax 385342). La Bastide Rose: luxurious guesthouse of the wife of the former publicist John F. Kennedy, with giant private park and trout river. Stylish rooms furnished with antiques. (99, chemin des croupiers, 84250 Le Thor, Tel. 0490/021433, Fax 021938). Eat: Le Carré d'herbes: colorfully whitewashed bistro with herb garden, which is used in the kitchen in the best way possible. (Baique-Bourgeois, 13, avenue des Quatre-Otages, 84800 L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Tel. 0490/386295). L'Ousteau de l'Isle: Here you will find the best liver pâté in the world. (21, avenue des 4 Otages, 84800 L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Tel. 0490/385484). Restaurant Chez Nane: on the waterfront, down to earth cuisine. (L'Isle aux Brocantes, 84800 Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Tel. 0490/385105). Drink: Le Caveau de la Tour de L'Isle: Wine shop with taproom in the back room, where you can forget about the rosé and pastry snacks, that the sun still shines outside (12, rue de la République, 84800 L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Tel. 0490/207025). specialties: Delices du Luberon: all the culinary delights of the region under one roof, herbs, honey, olive oil, jams, wine, goat cheese, salami (avenue du Partage des Eaux, 84800 l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Tel. 0490/207737) , Antiques & Junks: Wineries offer old treasures throughout the city, with many traders sharing buildings and backyards, such as market halls. L'île aux Brocantes (Passage du Pont, 7, avenue des Quatres Otages, Tel. 0490/206930). Le Village des Antiquaires de la Gare (2, Avenue de l'Egalité, Tel. 0490/380457). Le Quai de la Gare (4, Avenue Julien Guigue, Tel. 0490/207342). On the Avenue de 4 Otages the most famous flea market in the region, all homeowners are here regularly rummaging for new treasures, Saturdays and Sundays.
SAUMANE
Secluded, quiet mountain village, good starting point for hikes. Shelter: Danièle et Robert Beaumet: simple stone house in lofty heights with fantastic views of the opposite village. Small, cozy rooms (chemin de la Tapy, 84800 Saumane de Vaucluse, tel. 0490/203297).
BEDOIN
Nested village at the foot of Mont Ventoux with a beautiful church from the 18th century. Shelter: converted mill with medieval flair. (Moulin d'Antelon, 84410 Crillon le Brave, Tel. 0490/624489). Market: Monday morning throughout the village Provencal market, not as crowded as in larger communities.
ROBION
At the church square of Robion, a handicapped project will produce the best jams in the region. In the associated shop you can taste the whole variety of more than 70 varieties: La Roumanière (place de l'église, 84440 Robion, Tel. 0490/764147, Fax 764141).
GOULT
A lively village with an old castle, where the new-provinces meet for lunch or an evening drink. Eat: Café de la Poste: the café of the Luberon; the local artisans usually stay a glass too long. Foreigners love the abundant selection of international press. (rue de la République, Tel. 0490/722323, Fax 724646). Fashion: Edith Mézard: Mme Mézard adorns the latest collections of Parisian couturiers with her traditional embroidery, but she also sells her own fancy, for example: For example, simple linen robes that smell of summer, embroidered bedding, bathrobes, towels and matching cosmetics (Château de l'Ange, 84220 Lumières, Tel. 0490/723641, Fax 723669).
ROUSSILLON
Famous postcard motif: The village next to the disused quarries shimmers in all ocher colors. Shelter: Mamaison: princely, behind thick stone walls, large garden, lush breakfast. (Quartier Les Devens, Tel. 0490/057417, Fax 047463). Eat: Le Bistro de Roussillon: fabulous terrace overlooking the ocher cliffs. (place de la Mairie, Tel. 0490/057445). Worth seeing: Conservatoire des Ocres et des Pigments: In the old factory, the former mining and use of ocher is explained (Usine Mathieu, route d'Apt, Tel. 0490/056669).
MENERBES
Since successful author Peter Mayle no longer lives here, the tourist bustle has diminished. The mayor is advertising: Monsieur Rousset-Rouard, a former producer of "Emanuelle" films, now owns a collection of more than a thousand corkscrews exhibited at his vineyard (Musée du Tire-Bouchon, Domaine de la Citadelle, 84560 Ménerbes , Tel. 0490/724158, Fax 724159, Museum open from April to September).
BONNIEUX
Winding, very idyllic mountain village. Eat: Le Fournil: small, elegant restaurant, favorite place for newcomers, so make a reservation. (5, Place Carnot, Tel. 0490/758362, Fax 759619). Pâtisserie Tomas: for a little snack in between, cakes and pastries melt on the tongue (7, rue de la République, Tel./Fax 0490/758552).
LACOSTE
Village at the foot of the fortress of the Marquis de Sade, the castle is privately owned, but a walk around the walls stimulates the imagination.
GORDES
Rugged village on a rock and tourist hub, yet worth a visit because of its nested walls. Shelter: La Ferme de la Huppe: old farm in the valley outside the village, with pool in the middle of the flower garden. (route d'Apt, Les Pourquiers, Tel. 0490/721225, Fax 720183). Les Hauts de Véroncle: completely secluded house, family care, best culinary supply. (route de Murs, Tel. 0490/726091, Fax 726207). Eat: Hotel Restaurant Les Bories: elegant dining in medieval walls. (Route de l'Abbaye de Sénanque, 84220 Gordes, Tel. 0490/720051, Fax 720122). Le Mas Tourteron: Mansion with idyllic garden. Be sure to preorder. (Chemin de Saint- Blaise, Les Imberts, 84220 Gordes, Tel. 0490/720016, Fax 720981). Attractions: Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque: Cistercian monastery still inhabited by monks. However, many tourists come. Open every day, every lunchtime; The monks also sell their own honey and lavender essence (84220 Gordes, Tel. 0490/720572, Fax 721570). Village des Bories: largest collection of iglu-like stone buildings dating mostly from the Middle Ages.
APT
Economic center of the region. Eat: Bistro de France: the best meat, lots of fresh fish and even more garlic. The host cooks himself and proves that a feast does not always need stars, but just good ingredients. (67, Place de la Bouquerie, Tel. 0490/742201). Apt Union: largest producer of candied fruits (84405 Apt Cedex, Tel. 0490/763131, Fax 744348). Colors: Chauvin: ocher and oxides from our own production, stencils, brushes, solvents and other accessories, nice advice (route de Viton, 84400 Apt, Tel. 0490/742168, Fax 742391). - Furniture and handicrafts: Abotis, Atelier de Créateurs: The shopkeeper creates sunburned furniture in quirky shapes and exhibits creations of talented artisans, jewelery, crockery, fabrics (120, rue de la République, 84400 Apt) .- Markets: every Saturday morning the biggest market the region with food, fabrics, baskets; from 1 May to 30 September every Wednesday morning Farmers Market on Cours Lauze de Perret.
ST SATURNIN-d'Apt
Dreamy village on the mountain edge at the foot of an old castle. Shelter: Unda Weinert: nice village house in German hands, with common room for house concerts, roof terrace and view of the Luberon massif. (13, Place de la Mairie, 84490 St Saturnin d'Apt, Tel./Fax 0490/755322). Maison Garance: a prime example of metropolitan renovation art. If you want to afford it, you live with the owners from Paris behind old yard walls in brightly colored prosperity. (Les Bassacs, 84490 Saint Saturnin d'Apt, Tel. / Fax 0490/057461). Olive oil: The proud price is justified, connoisseurs claim Maître Juillets is the best in the country (rue Albert Trouchet, 84490 St.-Saturnin-d'Apt, Tel. 0490/754580). Worth seeing: Le Colorado in Rustrel: The Ocher quarry looks like the Grand Canyon in miniature, where you can hike, picnic, mountain bike or just marvel.
SAIGNON
High above the valley in the rock engraved Waldenserdorf, beautiful lonely and romantic. Shelter: Youth hostel Regain: With Claude and François Morenas, youth has no age, everyone can sleep here, and there are also a few double and single rooms; from about 15 DM, meals about 18 DM (Le Colombier, 84400 Saignon, Tel 0490/743934). Chambre de séjour avec vue, Kamilla Regent & Pierre Jaccaud: A French theater director and a Polish gallerist live here their understanding of art. Selected artists are allowed to live and work in the village house for free and leave a work as a pledge. Visitors pay, but are unconditionally integrated into the creative discourse at the breakfast table. Almost too good to be true. Room from about 90 DM (84400 Saignon, Tel./Fax 0490/048501). Eat: Auberge du Presbytère: the best place for a romantic meal on the village square, right next to the tables a fountain bubbles up. Menu from approx. 50 DM (place de la Fontaine, 84400 Saignon, Tel. 0490/741150, Fax 046851). Plants: Le Potager d'un Curieux: Monsieur Danneyrolles cultivates rare plants in his garden. On Saturdays he also sells them at the market in Apt (La Molière, tel. 0490/744468).
VIENS
The trip to the eastern edge of the Luberon is well worth it: the best honeymakers hide in the tiny village, ChroniquesDuVasteMonde and Pierre-Marie Bresc (84750 Viens, tel. 0490/752442).
LOURMARIN
On the other side of the mountain massif, relaxation opens up in the valley: a cheerful village with many street cafes. Shelter: La Villa Saint Louis: Village villa with dream garden with rabbits, a dog and a house tap. (35, rue Henri de Savournin, 84160 Lourmarin, Tel. 0490/683918, Fax 681007). Eat: Auberge la Fenière: Chef Reine Sammut shines with a Michelin star. Mme Sammut pulls herbs and vegetables in her own garden and cooks the male competition smoothly against the wall. , She also rents lordly rooms in her pretty country house (route du Cadenet (D943), tel. 0490/681179, fax 681860). La Récréation: small village restaurant with front garden and rural kitchen. (84160 Lourmarin, Tel. 0490/682373, Fax 680160). Herbs: La Ferme de Gerbaud, Guy and Paula Chauvin: biological herb farm, in summer daily guided tours of the fields and sale, also camping with shower and toilet (Campagne Gerbaud, 84160 Lourmarin, Tel 0490/681183, Fax 683712). cosmetics: Coté Bastide: Natural cosmetics, not only fragrant, but also beautifully packed. If you do not spend a fortune on yourself and your friends, you have a stony heart (5, rue du Grand-Pré, Tel. 0490/085792).
Lauris
Shelter: Le Maison des Sources: small farmhouse between forest and field with mountain views. (chemin des Fraises, 84360 Lauris, Tel./Fax 0490/082219)
AIX-EN-PROVENCE
Beautiful terminus of a Luberon trip for gentle re-entry into urban civilization. In the alleys behind the boulevard Cours Mirabeau hides a great shopping paradise. Shelter: Grand Hotel Negre Coste: Town house from the 18th century, where allegedly Ludwig IV stayed. (33, cours Mirabeau, 13100 Aix en Provence, Tel. 0442/277422, Fax 268093). Eat: Charlotte: simple restaurant, popular with city dwellers, because the tourist streams pass by. Definitely book. (32, rue des Bernardines, Tel. 0442/267756). Le Grillon: best views of the boulevard, inside carefully renovated Art Deco, on the menu simple, good food, grilled meats, fish and fresh vegetables. (49, cours Mirabeau, Tel. 0442/275881). Les Deux Garçons: the city's most famous café. Here artists, students, celebrities, tourists sit on the terrace and let the world pass by (53, cours Mirabeau, Tel. 0442/260051). Worth seeing: Atelier Paul Cézanne: The work of the famous son of the city still looks as if he left it yesterday (9, avenue Paul-Cézanne, tel. 0442/210653, daily from 10 to 12 o'clock and from 14:30 to 18 o'clock ) Flea market: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays at Place Verdun. Info: Office de Tourisme (2, place du Général-de-Gaulle, Tel. 0442/161161).
BOOK TIPS:
novels: "La Provence, un florilège", German-French reading book with declarations of love from famous Provence fans, from Petrarch to van Gogh (dtv). Alphonse Daudet: "Letters from my mill", classic from the 18th century (island). Marcel Pagnol: "A childhood in Provence", poetic narrative of holiday pleasures and first love (Piper). Jean Giono: "Jean, the dreamer", detailed depictions of land and people at the beginning of the 19th century (btb). Peter Mayle: "My Year in Provence, Toujours Provence", British reflections of the Provencal spirit. A bestseller (Knaur). Travel Guide: "Provence.Merian live ", beautiful travel companion for the jacket pocket (Grafe und Unzer) Susanne Tschirner:" Provence ", handy, with a lot of compact information (Dumont). Map: "Côte d'Azur, Provence", scale 1: 200000 (Mairs Geographical Publisher,). Provence & Cuisine: "With Wolfram Siebeck in Provence and on the Côte d'Azur", Germany's most famous restaurant critic shows where the specialties of the region taste best (Verlag Moritz Schauenburg). Paul Strang: "Markets and festivals in southern France", illustrated book with lots of local flavor and recipes (Moritz Schauenburg publishing house).
