The "mont ventoux" wine tourist routes

The côtes du ventoux, from the family of the great rhone valley wines,present their appellation region, their soil, their history to discover this wine appellation in its dynamic evolution.

Apt  Located in the Regional Natural reserve of Luberon, the imposing natural sites, and thousand of footpaths, in an intact and preserved nature are to be discovered. During the 19th century, local industry has been developed with famous earthenware of Apt, and ochres. But, it is the manufacture of the traditional candied fruits, delicacies already offered to the popes of Avignon during the 14th century, who are worth to him today, the label of "Remarkable Site of the Taste".  The old town: turn of the ramparts, private mansions of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, fountains, old streets, Vault baroque, Holy Vault Catherine, Romance Vault Saint Michel (12th century) Vault of Récollets (18th century) old Church of the Carmelite friars (10th century), carries of Saignon. The Cathedral Holy Basilica Anne

Aubignan & beaumes-de-venise  The area around Aubignan is a mixture of hills and former marshes. A stone's throw from Beaumes de Venise and the famous Côtes du Rhône vineyards. Here you will have the opportunity to take advantage of the peaceful countryside while being very close to the town and its facilities (6 km from Carpentras).  Aubignan is a major producer of young vines and vine grafts. Industry and handicrafts are very active in the area.  Don't miss the Provencal market, held every Saturday morning from April to October.  Historical remains worth visiting/seeing :  Porte de France : the clock tower and campanile.  of the church of St. Victor.  The former wheat market hall (1728)  Hôtel-Dieu (Old charity hospital) (1745),  St Sixte chapel (12th cent.)  Events : Christmastide evening  (traditional provencal flute concert) in December.  Beaumes-de-Venise : Gourmets and those with discerning taste buds will not spend too much time up in the caves and the chapels on the hill, knowing that below in the village, on Avenue Raspail, wine cellars offering tasting and sale of the famous Beaumes de Venise Muscat wine are waiting for them. This wine is renowned far beyond the borders of the Comtat Vénaissin. There are several vintages and several subtle savours available...The "Tradition" vintage will go very well with melon in summer, the "Bois Doré" is clearly a more distinguished wine, the perfectl accompaniment for pan-fried foie gras. Why not try both and decide for yourself ! However the fame of muscat must not completely distract you from Beaumes de Venise's excellent Côte du Rhône Villages red wine !

Bédoin & caromb  Bedoin is a lovely little agricultural village of the Mont Ventoux region. Spread out over a large area, it comprises several hamlets all of which are blessed with that Mediterranean climate of sun nearly every day of the year, A good wine (AOC) is produced here along with asparagus and various fruits.  Historic sites to see:  Romanesque chapel Notre Dame du Moustier.  Eglise des Baux de Bedoin.  St. Madeleine's Chapel.  Located high in the foothills of the Ventoux, the fortified village of Caromb has preserved some very interesting monuments within its ramparts.  If you can, you should sample the local speciality: pork and white kidney beans au gratin. This dish is a meal in itself..., the locals will tell you in their inimitable accent: "cassoulet is a joke compared to this"... and they're not wrong ! A bit of advice: better visit the village first and eat afterwards...  Historical remains worth visiting/seeing :  St Maurice 14th century Romanesque church,  The Belfry Tower with its 14th century campanile,  Museum of wine growing tools through the ages.  The fountains, the Paty dam.

Carpentras & fontaine de vaucluse   In the heart of the fertile plaines of Comtat Venaissin, Carpentras its capital, offers a real treasure to all lovers of history and architecture.  On the outskirts of the city there are numerous marked trails where one can walk and admire the local fauna and flora. The Tourist Office will be happy to provide you with a map showing 5 different excursions in the area, one of which is a wine circuit-wine lovers take notice!  Historic sites to see:  Collegiate College Notre Dame des Anges.  Hotel Dieu and its pharmacy (collection of faience and walls  decorated by Duplessis, painter ot Louis XVI).  St. SiffreinCathedral (1405, 1519). Episcopal palace (17th c.).  Roman Arch.  14th c. Synogogue (restored in 1954) with  baths and pools traditional to theHebraic rite.  Notre Dame de Santé Chapel. Clock Tower.  Cultural Center La Charité.  18th c. aqueduct (690m, long, 23m, wide).  4 museums, numerous art galeries.  Fontaine de Vaucluse is truly one of the most visited places in the Vaucluse : In the summer months the streets are literally crowded and the souvenir shops come at you from all angles... If you're looking for calm walks down the charming village streets, try and come in the morning.  Historic places to visit :  Ruins of the XIV° Bishops of Cavaillon château.  XI°, ND de St Véran church, Roman style  Remains of the Roman Canal on the R. Sorgue.  - Pétrarque Museum (in the italian poet's former residence, XIV°).  - L'appel de la liberté musée d'histoire 1939-1945  ( Résistance Museum).  - Ecomusée du gouffre.  (Underwater Museum (Caves).  -Ecomusée du santon et traditions provençales  Santon Museum.  - Papes Crystal makers (hand blown crystal)  - Paper Mill (hand made paper, XV° century techniques)

Gordes & le barroux  Standing on the edge of the plateau of Vaucluse, Gorges is one of the "in" villages of Luberon where many movies stars and artists have made their home.  Historic sites to see:  The castle.  Bories village.  Senanque Abbey (1148).  St. Firmin church (1704).  Pol Para Museum.  The Moulins de Bouillons Museum  (olive presses dating back to the 16th century).  This well placed village of le Barroux offers a magnificent panorama looking out on the Comtat plain, the Vaucluse hills, the Dentelles de Montmirail and of course Mont Ventoux. Barroux is known for its château perched like an eagle's nest right at the top of the village.  Historical remains worth visiting/seeing :  The 16th century château and its listed gardens  Ste Madeleine monastery. St Jean Baptiste church

Mazan & pernes-les-fontaines  This little town nestling at the foot of Mont Ventoux in the centre of the Vaucluse department enjoys an unrivalled location. Some 28 km2 of its territory is devoted to agriculture and wine-growing, which produces the famous Côtes du Mont Ventoux. It is also very well known for its fruit, wines and truffles.  Historical remains worth visiting/seeing :  Chapel of Pareloup (12th and 15th centuries),  Allée des sarcophages (Alyscamps),  Château de Sade (privately owned), The trails,  The history and folklore museum,  The church with its works by Bernus,  The painter-sculptor born in Mazan.  Located between Carpentras and Isle sur la Sorgue, Pernes les Fontaines as its name suggests is the fountain town...More than 40 ancient fountains can be found in the village, which took its characteristic title in 1936.  Historic places to visit : The 40 fountain trail.  XV°fortified gateway.  Ferrande Tower  and medieval frescoes, XIII° century  XI° N.D de Nazareth Church  XVII° covered markets.  XI° Clock Tower

Roussillon & venasque  In Provence, between Luberon and Monts of Vaucluse, Roussillon scintillates under a very ochre light. The village is classified among most beautiful of France, it does not seems like any other.  To see: The Academy of Ochres and Pigments Applied  Perched at the summit of a rocky outcrop, Venasque is a picturesque village classed amongst one of the 126 "most beautiful villages in France." Venasque dominates the Nesque valley and the Carpentras plain.  Venasque is one of the oldest villages of the Comtat Venaissin, from where it takes its name. This respect for the past has almost given Venasque a slightly austere feel, due to its authenticity. Its houses are rebuilt to original specifications.  Historic sites to visit : 9th century baptistry.  Roman church Notre Dame.  The Saracen towers.  St Siffrein chapel.  Priory of St Pierre les Thermes