Destination Porte du Ventoux: An ideal weekend

Day 1 — Between the heritage of Pernes-les-Fontaines and a natural moment at Lake Monteux

Discover Pernes-les-Fontaines

To start the day, we invite you to discover Pernes-les-Fontaines, also called “The Pearl of Comtat”, in the heart of Vaucluse and the Mont Ventoux Regional Natural Park. The city is known for its 41 fountains that you can discover during your visit, each one is unique and has its own history. You will also have the chance to stroll through typical small colorful streets animated by the Ateliers de Pernes, an association of Pernes artisans who participate greatly in the life of the historic center, along the way do not hesitate to meet them, there are more than twenty of them in total!

Let's go back to heritage, Pernes-les-Fontaines was once a fortified city with a castle that dominated the surroundings. Today, numerous remains bear witness to this past with impressive doors, ancient ramparts such as the Notre Dame Gate but also the Clock Tower, the only monument remaining from the old castle. From the top of the Tower, accessible all year round, you get a breathtaking view of the surroundings, the Dentelles de Montmirail and the Mont Ventoux!

Other monuments are on the route, such as the Ferrande Tower (guided tour only) or the ancient Jewish ritual baths, historical witness to the life of the Jewish people in Comtat Venaissin during the reign of the Popes in Avignon.

We have some surprises that you will only be able to see once there, such as the magnificent facades of houses and private mansions, the many cats strolling in the streets of the town, and much more!

A lunch at the Moulin Rive Gauche

Before going to Lac de Monteux, we offer you a well-deserved gourmet break at the Moulin de La Roque hotel-restaurant in an idyllic setting in the countryside surrounded by vineyards and orchards. On site, Le Moulin Rive Gauche offers refined, quality cuisine made from local and seasonal products in a calm and soothing atmosphere in Althen-des-Paluds.

Promenade at Lake Monteux

Once the lunch break is over, head to Lac de Monteux to explore this rapidly expanding space. Walk around the lake to discover the vegetation and the beautiful panoramas that this place has to offer you. Then, depending on the season, several possibilities are available to you:

• In summer, a supervised swimming area is set up, an opportunity to cool off and relax on the beach. Kayaks and pedal boats are also available throughout this period to navigate on the Lake.
• For the other slightly cooler seasons, there is a treasure hunt better known under the name of Intrigue in the City (from 7 years old), a kit on sale in our Tourist Offices or at the Snack de la Dune for which you will have to solve an investigation all around the lake by unmasking the culprit thanks to the enigmas!

At the end of the day, enjoy a gourmet moment at the Snack de la Dune on the terrace by the lake and enjoy delicious cocktails and homemade ice creams.

Depending on your desires, extend your evening by consulting our agenda in which you will find all the festivals and events throughout our destination to meet the Vauclusians and learn more about local festivals and customs.

Day 2 — Discover the island of Oiselay and visit Bédarrides

Sports tour of Île de l'Oiselay

For this second day, direction Sorgues and more precisely the island of Oiselay a few kilometers from Avignon. A real natural area classified Natura 2000 surrounded by the Rhône which contains an ecosystem that is as sensitive as it is magnificent. Once there, you can discover the place on foot thanks to the hiking circuit or by bike with a multitude of bike routes including the Voie des Papes and the Via Rhôna, two secure greenways to also explore the surroundings.

Take the time to contemplate this natural space and learn more about the local fauna and flora thanks to the numerous explanatory panels installed along the route.

A lunch at the Guinguette Bonobrousse

At noon, lunch is also served on the island of Oiselay thanks to the Guinguette Bonobrousse, a magical place located on the route of the Via Rhôna in a friendly and rural atmosphere with above all quality cuisine composed of fresh and local products from short circuits.
Among their specialties we can find lamb stew confit with rosemary and the Provençal burger, a real delight!

Discover Bédarrides and local markets

Then, we invite you to visit Bédarrides, an authentic village of our destination. Nicknamed “the city of 7 rivers”, stroll along the quay to get a beautiful view of the Roman Bridge, an emblematic monument that spans the Ouveze, but also many monuments such as the Pousterloun Gate or the water tower. A village steeped in history since it was here that the vote to join Comtat Venaissin to France was decided.

To end this stay, a market visit is a must! Provençal markets are the unmissable places when you want to fully discover the land and local gastronomy.

At the end of the day, from March to November, don't miss the farmers' market in Pernes-les-Fontaines on Wednesday, that of Lac de Monteux on Friday evening or that of Bédarrides on Friday evening also. Meet local producers who celebrate the fruits and vegetables of the region in the best possible way.

The Porte du Ventoux destination is a region that offers everyone the opportunity to live their stay at their own pace, according to tastes and desires. These are only a few suggestions among the richness of the territory, for more information do not hesitate to consult our website in detail.

This idea of stay is entirely feasible by using soft mobility such as cycling thanks to circuit No. 41 Variant around the Lake for day 1.

For day 2, there is bike circuit No. 1 From the Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard to the Ouvèze plain.