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

Like the delicious filling of a sandwich, the Luberon area of Provence lies between the Vaucluse Mountains to the north and the Luberon Range in the South. The easiest entry point is Avignon, about two and a half hours from Paris by TGV. And voila, you are in the land of irrepressible sunshine. The landscape changes with the seasons, from lavender fields, to cherry trees and vineyards. Hiking and bike paths in the regional park and outdoor markets abound, as do perched stone villages, whose charms support every delightful cliché about Provence.

You might base yourself, as I have many times, in the well-known part of the Luberon, extending from the town of Isle-sur-la Sorgue to Apt. My favorite seasons are spring and fall and rather than staying in a hotel, I like to rent a house (www.lubinvest.com). I never tire of this area, but I also seek less traveled roads. The villages of Cucuron and Banon are two options for day trips, one a little less, the other a tad more, than an hour’s drive from, say Gordes, centrally located in the valley. That said, something will undoubtedly arrest your eye, or your palate, along the way.