Discover Vaucluse: Heritage and Landscapes

Vaucluse combines traces of different eras with mountain and plain landscapes that invite you to go hiking. In Avignon, a medieval ensemble offers a glimpse into history; in Orange, a large Roman theatre and a triumphal arch take centre stage. Museums offer further highlights, from Petrarch to printing and packaging techniques, as well as the history of Provence during the Second World War. You can tailor your mix of culture, trails and waterside activities to your interests.

Heritage in Avignon and Orange

Avignon’s historic centre includes the Palais des papes, the episcopal ensemble and the Pont d’Avignon. Together, they form an exceptional example of medieval architecture. Orange offers a different historical focus: the Théâtre antique is one of the best-preserved large Roman theatres. The Arc de Triomphe d’Orange was built between 10 and 25. Comparing these places takes you from a medieval architectural ensemble to a Roman theatre and a triumphal arch.

Museums with a range of themes

Memento in Avignon-Montfavet offers another way to engage with history. This 11,000-square-metre heritage centre brings together the departmental archaeology service, the departmental archives and museum storage facilities. Memento is dedicated to preserving and presenting 3,000 years of history. Its facilities include temporary and permanent digital exhibitions, a 150-seat auditorium, educational spaces and an adjoining reading room. Bringing these facilities together makes Memento a distinctive destination for culture enthusiasts.

The other museums focus on clearly distinct themes. The Musée-bibliothèque François Pétrarque in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is dedicated to the Italian humanist and poet Petrarch. The Musée du Cartonnage et de l’Imprimerie showcases industrial expertise in packaging and printing. The Musée d’Histoire Jean Garcin 1939-1945 traces the history of the Second World War in Provence. The selection therefore ranges from a literary figure to industrial and craft skills, and a regional history of the war.

Landscapes, hiking and routes

The Luberon ochre massif is protected and classified for its landscape, historical and picturesque character. Another geographical reference point is the Côtes du Luberon appellation: it broadly corresponds to the Luberon limestone massif and its foothills in Vaucluse. Tourist routes also focus on wine or lavender landscapes. This means that, alongside cultural sites, landscapes and regional themes can also feature in your travel plans.

Vaucluse includes mountain and plain landscapes to explore on walks and hikes. Marked hiking trails lead to the summit of Mont Ventoux. If you want to combine a hike with a specific summit as your destination, you’ll find a clear landmark here; trails across the plains offer a different perspective on the landscape. Routes focusing on wine and lavender add another distinct feature.

Activities at the lakes

Activities at Lac de Monteux include stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking and pedal boating. Lac du Paty is used for swimming and is also a waypoint on the GR de Pays Tour des Dentelles de Montmirail. Check local swimming conditions before your visit. The two lakes offer different experiences: Lac de Monteux is a hub for several water sports, while Lac du Paty combines swimming with its role on a hiking route.

Seven villages in Vaucluse are classified as Plus Beaux Villages de France. The distinction offers an additional point of reference for travellers who want to include classified villages in their selection. When looking for a hotel, you can start with the purpose of your trip and consider whether heritage, hiking, routes or waterside activities matter most to you.

Discover more destinations: Le Beaucet, Le Boisset, Entraigues-Sur-La-Sorgue, Castellet, Beaumont-De-Pertuis, Sivergues, Bonnieux, Richerenches, Pernes-Les-Fontaines, Pertuis, Gargas, Gigondas, Gordes, Goult, Grambois, Jonquerettes, Jonquières, L'isle-Sur-La-Sorgue, La Bastide-Des-Jourdans, La Bastidonne, La Motte-D'aigues, La Tour-D'aigues, Lacoste, Lagarde-D'apt, Lagnes, Lauris, Saint-Pantaléon, Le Barroux, Beaumettes, Montfavet, Entrechaux, Faucon, Fontaine-De-Vaucluse, Châteauneuf-De-Gadagne, Cheval-Blanc, Cucuron, Bédoin, Blauvac, Bollene, Cadenet, Cairanne, Caromb, Carpentras, Caseneuve, Cavaillon, Beaumont-Du-Ventoux, Mondragon, Althen-Des-Paluds, Ansouis, Apt, Aubignan, Avignon, Beaumes De Venise, Lioux, Loriol-Du-Comtat, Lourmarin, Malaucene, Maubec, Mazan, Menerbes, Merindol, Mirabeau, Monieux, Monteux, Morières-Lès-Avignon, Murs, Oppède, Bédarrides, Cabrières-D'avignon, Roaix, Robion, Rochegude, Roussillon, Rustrel, Saignon, Saint-Marcellin-Lès-Vaison, Saint-Martin-De-Castillon, Saint-Romain-En-Viennois, Saint-Roman-De-Malegarde, Saint-Saturnin-Lès-Avignon, Sainte-Cécile-Les-Vignes, Sarrians, Sault-De-Vaucluse, Saumane-De-Vaucluse, Seguret, Sérignan-Du-Comtat, Sorgues, Taillades, Travaillan, Vaison-La-Romaine, Vaugines, Velleron, Venasque, Viens, Villars, Villedieu, Villelaure, Villes-Sur-Auzon, Grillon, Valreas, Visan, Peypin-D'aigues, Saint-Martin-De-La-Brasque, Savoillan, Joucas, Flassan, Camaret-Sur-Aigues, Saint Didier, Mormoiron, Vitrolles-En-Lubéron, La Roque-Sur-Pernes, Saint-Saturnin-Lès-Apt, Sablet, Lagarde-Pareol, Mornas, Crillon-Le-Brave, Lafare, Vedène, Vacqueyras, Le Pontet, Oppède-Le-Vieux, Orange, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Les Tourrettes, Caumont-Sur-Durance, Violès, Saint-Hippolyte-le-Graveyron, Cabrières D'aigues, Auribeau, Sannes, Puget, Saint-Pierre-De-Vassols, Saint-Léger-Du-Ventoux, Uchaux, Aurel, Méthamis, Courthézon, Caderousse, Modène, Saint-Trinit, Lapalud, Crestet, Malemort-Du-Comtat, Le Thor, Lamotte-Du-Rhône, Gignac, Piolenc, Puyméras, Puyvert, Rasteau, Buisson, Buoux, Brantes, La Roque-Alric, Saint-Christol

For the regional travel overview: Provence-Alpes-Côte D'azur.