Provence / Côte d'Azur: What to See & Do: Day Trips: Banon

Banon

You may have heard of Banon, in Alpes-de Haute-Provence, because many of the menus in the Luberon feature a salad with “chèvre de Banon”, the local goat cheese. So adventure north over the Vaucluse mountains to Banon, and buy the cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves. To go with it, stop in the charcuterie, Melchio Clauvis (+33-0492 732305; www.charcuterie-melchio.fr) with, yes, sausages hanging like curtains. Located just off the main parking square, you’ll be drawn right to the door by the pungent aroma of the merchandise. Banon is also famous for its ramparts and medieval town, and Le Bleuet (Place Saint-Just; +33-0492 732585), a bookstore with over 75,000 titles, mainly French and a smattering of English ones. It’s unusual to find such a large stock in such an off track place. Just across the street, I loved the Les Bons Moments (Place Saint-Just; +33-0492 733994) an antique shop/tea salon featuring home made cakes, organic teas and sorbets. Almost everything in sight is for sale. You can leave with glasses, old books, furniture, cutlery and linens. Or just a full tummy.