Vaucluse must-sees
Heritage
Two sites classified as World Heritage sites by UNESCO:
The historic centre of Avignon, including the Popes’ Palace and the bridge (since 1995), and the Roman Theatre and Triumphal Arch of Orange (since 1981)
Major sites of Roman heritage:
An open-air Roman city – Vaison-la-Romaine, and a Roman Theatre in Orange that is the only one of its kind in Europe
Other classified sites
Two nature parks:
The Luberon Regional Nature Park (since 1977) and the Ventoux (since 2020)
7 villages ranking among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”:
Gordes, Roussillon, Ménerbes, Lourmarin, Ansouis, Venasque and Séguret
A cycling destination
Mont Ventoux, iconic for sports cyclists, 1800 km of signposted cycle routes and two European routes – the Via Rhôna and the Mediterranean by Bike
Landscapes
Lavender country
But also herbs and essential oils
The ochre landscapes of the Luberon
The village of Roussillon, the Provençal Colorado in Rustrel…
Food and wine
Iconic produce of the Mediterranean gastronomy
Provence olive oil, Cavaillon melon, einkorn wheat from the Ventoux, Lauris asparagus, Venasque cherries, Piolenc garlic, lamb and pork raised in open air at the Ventoux, truffles in winter, Carpentras strawberries, Muscat grapes from the Ventoux, herbs from Provence…
The Rhône Valley wines
5 “crus”: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise (a natural sweet wine) and Rasteau (classified cru for its natural sweet wine and its red wine), but also Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages, as well as Ventoux and Luberon wines.
Events
Internationally recognised festivals
Festival d’Avignon (since 1947) and the Chorégies d’Orange (since 1869, and in its current form since 1971).
Isle sur la Sorgue, capital of antiques
And also the rich and fascinating crafts of Provence
