Tourism & Culture
If the Malaucène Tourist Office is a stone’s throw away, at Le 37 you will find documentation provided on cultural and sporting activities, locations and dates of Provençal markets, etc. Do not hesitate, when booking, to tell us your desires for discoveries (or any other needs for an ideal stay). Several of the most beautiful villages in France (Séguret, Gordes, Le Crestet, Brantes, Villedieu, Pierrelongue) nestle not far from Malaucène. We keep the calendar of festive events likely to take place there up to date.
You are also close to a number of renowned wine appellations: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de Venise, Rasteau, Sablet and Séguret, Roaix, Cairanne, Lubéron (very nic rosés) and many of course the Ventoux wines, pride of the Côtes-du-Rhône (15 cooperative cellars and 140 private cellars). An exceptional estate for its wines and its environment, Le Chêne Bleu (Le Crestet, 6.2 km), offers visits by appointment. Wine tasting (pleasant cooperatives of Mazan and Villedieu/Buisson). Several other areas provide wine tourism activities during the summer. Note the Je’dis Vins evenings at the Arnaud farm, pleasant musical and gourmet meals in the vineyards.
If the Malaucène Tourist Office is a stone’s throw away, at Le 37 you will find documentation provided on cultural and sporting activities, locations and dates of Provençal markets, etc. Do not hesitate, when booking, to tell us your desires for discoveries (or any other needs for an ideal stay). Several of the most beautiful villages in France (Séguret, Gordes, Le Crestet, Brantes, Villedieu, Pierrelongue) nestle not far from Malaucène. We keep the calendar of festive events likely to take place there up to date.
You are also close to a number of renowned wine appellations: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de Venise, Rasteau, Sablet and Séguret, Roaix, Cairanne, Lubéron (very nic rosés) and many of course the Ventoux wines, pride of the Côtes-du-Rhône (15 cooperative cellars and 140 private cellars). An exceptional estate for its wines and its environment, Le Chêne Bleu (Le Crestet, 6.2 km), offers visits by appointment. Wine tasting (pleasant cooperatives of Mazan and Villedieu/Buisson). Several other areas provide wine tourism activities during the summer. Note the Je’dis Vins evenings at the Arnaud farm, pleasant musical and gourmet meals in the vineyards.
Le Barroux is a picturesque hilltop village between Dentelles de Montmirail and Mont Ventoux. On its rocky spur, discover its massive 16th century castle (fun visits, summer concerts and whiskey distillery!) or the Sainte-Madeleine du Barroux abbey, one of the youngest monasteries in France (1970) enjoying beautiful panoramas. Other castles to visit locally: Suze-la-Rousse, Simiane (26 km), Grignan (32 km).
A city of art and history, Vaison is worth noting for the old town clinging to the foot of the count’s castle but above all for its ancient sites dating back to Roman times, magnificently preserved and the setting for multiple cultural events. Don’t miss the International Dance Festival every summer, the Choralies (triennial, next edition 2025) and numerous events around choral singing (classical, modern, gospel). Market on Tuesday, many quality shops, some very good restaurants.
15 Km • Carpentras
The capital of the former Comtat Venaissin is a city of markets and culinary specialties (truffle, strawberries, melons, sweets and candied fruits). It houses the oldest synagogue in France (1367), the remarkable Inguimbertine library, and the Saint-Siffrein cathedral, in southern Gothic style. Large market on Friday, beautiful flea market every Sunday in season.
20 Km • Mont Ventoux
The “Giant of Provence”! Culminating at 1,910 m, its lunar summit can be seen from afar. Towards the Alps to the north and the Mediterranean to the south, it offers an exceptional panorama and a pleasant cool temperature in summer! The old shepherds’ paths are today dedicated to hiking. Classified as a Biosphere reserve by UNESCO, Mont Ventoux is a leading ecological zone. On its slopes, you will be able to observe a varied flora found in Central Europe, alongside Mediterranean flora. At the summit you can come across species typical of the Arctic regions! Birds, birds of prey, deer, roe deer, chamois, mouflons, wild boars and… wolves can be observed there. The Mont Serein ski resort (1,400 m) attracts thousands of tourists each year in summer (fun and sporting activities).
21 km • Nyons
Shaded squares, arcades, shops and terraces, Tour Randonne and Pont Roman (18 m high) on the Eygues river, old mills, traditional Provençal market on Thursday morning (one of the most beautiful in the Drôme), rich in colors and flavors of local products: oil and olives from Nyons of course (produced in AOC/AOP, celebrated during the Olivades in July), truffles, honey, lavender, organic fruits and vegetables, wines, lime trees and aromatic plants. To visit in summer: the Bleu Provence distillery, the Scourtinerie, the last factory of scourtins, small flat woven baskets used as a filter during the extraction of olive oil, or the Vignolis cooperative and its olive museum. A 67 km cycle route, the Route de l’Olivier, begins just after the Pont Roman.
On the road, don’t miss the stop at Maison Plantin, a truffle specialist since 1930 (Vaucluse produces around 80% of truffles in France!).
26 Km • Orange
Famous for one of the oldest and largest triumphal arches in Roman Gaul, its 1st century theater is also one of the best preserved in the world. Every summer, it hosts the Chorégies d’Orange, a major opera and music festival. In town, Provençal market on Thursdays, and numerous buildings built between the Middle Ages and the beginning of the 18th century, when the city was capital of the principality of Orange, which the Nassau dynasty spread throughout Europe.
29 Km • L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Very pretty town, capital of antique dealers, second-hand dealers (more than 300) or craftsmen, renowned for its many high-level boutiques and markets. Do not miss the visit to the Gouffre de Fontaine de Vaucluse, the first source in France and one of the most important in the world in terms of its flow. On the road, stop at Pernes-les-Fontaines (city of forty fountains).
29 Km • Gordes
Remarkable perched village, one of the most beautiful in France, typical with its dry stone walls, its Renaissance castle, a Summer Evening musical festival. Don’t miss Sénanque Abbey, a splendid Cistercian monument which, since the 12th century, has stood in the narrow valley of the Sénancole and its lavandins. The abbey can be visited all week, respecting the still active monastic life. (Free visit with HistoPad: €8.50). Along the way, stop at Venasque, also classified among the most beautiful villages in France (6th century baptistery, cherry festival in June).
Not far from Gordes is the pretty hilltop village of Roussillon which draws its originality from its confectioners, specialists in candied fruits, and its land. Loaded with ocher, this material used since prehistory, exploited by the Romans, is a mineral pigment which colors the walls of houses yellow or red. To visit: the Ocher Ecomuseum. Very beautiful walks to take, on foot or by bike, on the neighboring sites of ocher: Mormoiron, Roussillon or Rustrel (Provençal Colorado). If you are going to explore the villages of the Luberon (Oppède, Ménerbes, Bonnieux, etc.), do not miss the visit to Gargas and the Mathieu chandelier museum, absolutely unique.
36 Km • Avignon
An unmissable monument of the city, the Palais des Papes stands tall and dominates the city of Avignon and the Rhône. It is the most important Gothic palace in the West (the equivalent of four cathedrals combined), symbol of the influence of the church in the 14th century, built under Benedict XII and Clement VI. Open and visitable all year round.
Every summer in July, since 1947, Avignon is transformed for 3 weeks and becomes the largest theater in the world with the In and Off festivals. It is a global meeting of creation: the In is today around 40 shows, 400 performances and more than 130,000 spectators scattered in the main courtyard of the Palais des Papes, the cloisters, the courtyards from high school… The Off is 1,200 companies in more than 140 locations and 300,000 festival-goers. The biggest stage in the world!
In addition to the existing museums (Calvet, Lapidaire, Petit Palais, Requien, Palais du Roure and Musée Pierre de Luxembourg in Villeneuve-lez-Avignon) Les Bains Pommer (former public baths of the city transformed into a new museum setting) will be added in 2024.
In the fall (October), the largest medieval festival in France is held on the island of Barthelasse: the Rose d’Or festival brings together 70 companies and 1,200 costumed actors. Games, jousts, battles, medieval gastronomy, dances and a large historic market.
53 Km • La Roque d’Anthéron
The city is home to one of the most important world festivals dedicated to piano (classical, jazz, avant-garde). 5 weeks of concerts and meetings (end of July-beginning of August), in around ten places including the legendary park of the Château de Florans.
But also…
Buis-les-Baronnies (famous Via Ferrata, see sports pages, and pretty market on Saturdays).
Pierrelongue (astonishing chapel perched on the banks of the Ouvèze).
Brantes (art village clinging to the slopes of Ventoux).
Villedieu (former Templar commandery).
Sault (capital of lavender).
A bit far away:
1 h • St-Rémy and Les Baux-de-Provence (medieval village and illuminated quarries)
1 h 30 • Ardèche Gorges (Vallon Pont d’Arc, Chauvet Cave)
1 h 30 • Uzès (and the Pont du Gard)
1 h 30 • Arles (LUMA Museum and photo festival)
1 h 30 • Aix-en Provence (Cézanne, Vasarely Fondation)
1 h 45 • Aigues Mortes/Sainte Marie de la Mer (Camargue)
1 h 30 • Marseille (Marseille Provence Airport)
2 h : Cassis
But also…
• Buis-les-Baronnies (famous Via Ferrata, see sports pages, and pretty market on Saturdays).
• Pierrelongue (astonishing chapel perched on the banks of the Ouvèze).
• Brantes (art village clinging to the slopes of Ventoux).
• Villedieu (former Templar commandery).
• Sault (capital of lavender).
A bit far away:
1 h • St-Rémy and Les Baux-de-Provence (medieval village and illuminated quarries)
1 h 30 • Ardèche Gorges (Vallon Pont d’Arc, Chauvet Cave)
1 h 30 • Uzès (and the Pont du Gard)
1 h 30 • Arles (LUMA Museum and photo festival)
1 h 30 • Aix-en Provence (Cézanne, Vasarely Fondation)
1 h 45 • Aigues Mortes/Sainte Marie de la Mer (Camargue)
1 h 30 • Marseille (Marseille Provence Airport)
2 h : Cassis
