Home Page
Les Saisons - Bed and Breakfast - Chambres d'hôtes -  7 Place de l'Oratoire Villeneuve-les-Avignon 30400
Copyright Gerard Simi Gary Elphick All Rights Reserved © 2009-2010
 
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is a medieval village tucked away in a "closed valley"  in the mountainous Plateau de Vaucluse.  The key feature of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is the truly amazing and unique sight of a river gushing up out of the ground - La Fontaine de Vaucluse.

For most of the year you are only able to see the huge cavern in the ground and its deep blue pool of water but during spring or a very heavy rainfall it lives up to its name, with water gushing out at 200m3 (52,000 gallons) every second - this is one of the largest springs in the world.

Cheval passion Parc des expositions from 14 to 18 january + infos : www.cheval-passion.com <http://www.che?????????<tabval-passion.com> festiv'halles de la truffe Convent market "les Halles" Dimanche 8 february - 10:00am/5:00pm exhibition, culinary animations, tasting, market...  + infos : www.festiv-halles.com <http://www.festiv-halles.com> Tour des remparts Dimanche 8 february pedestrial racing Les hivernales d'avignon from 19 to 28 february "danses étranges" ("strange dances") contemporary dance festival + infos : www.hivernales-avignon.com <http://www.hivernales-avignon.com> Salon des collections 1st week-end of february Avignon motor festival Parc des expositions from 20 to 22 march + infos : envoyer un mail <mailto:avignonmotor@orange.fr>

foire de printemps 10 days, in april/may Avignon jam session 17 may Roller & skateboard  + infos :
<mailto:service.sports@mairie-avignon.fr> Alterarosa Palais des Papes from 20 to 24 mai Roses you've never seen... Exhibition around Rose  + infos : <www.alterarosa.com> La nuit européenne des musées saturday 16 may 5eme edition. + infos : www.nuitdesmusées.culture.fr <http://www.nuitdesmusées.culture.fr> marche antiquite brocante Allées de l'Oulle Week-end of Pentecôte fête de la musique Sunday 21 june

avignon film festival last week of june + infos :
www.avignonfilmfest.com <http://www.avignonfilmfest.com> festival d'avignon (IN) from 7 to 29 july International theater festival  Since 1947, one of the most popular theater festival of the world. Theater, and dance, music... Associated artist for 2009 : WAJDI MOUAWAD. + infos : www.festival-avignon.fr <http://www.festival-avignon.com> (OFF) from 8 to 31 juillet International theatre festival  600 compagnies from whole world and France + infos : www.avignonfestivaletcompagnies.com <http://www.avignonfestivaletcompagnies.com>  marche du festival Allées de l'Oulle from 7 to 31 july + infos : <mailto:avignonorganisation@free.fr>  Festival provençal july Les nuits du Roure (nights of the Roure) Songs, theater, provencal traditions... + infos : www.nouvello.com <http://www.nouvello.com>  marché aux livres d'occasion july fête nationale 14 july Avignon jazz festival august 1st european jazz contest for young musicians. + infos : www.trempjazz.com <http://www.trempjazz.com>  ban des vendanges 1st saturday of september Opening for the grape harvest. + d'infos : www.compagnonsdescotesdurhone.com <http://www.compagnonsdescotesdurhone.com>  10 km de la cite des papes 1st sunday of september pedestrial racing around the city salon auto moto retro Parc des expositions 1st week-end of september old cars & motorcycles journées du patrimoine 3th week-end of september Historical patrimony discovering Free entrance in many monuments and museums

animo nature Parc des expositions october parcours de l'art 3 weeks in october 50 artists, 30 exhibition places. + infos :
www.parcoursdelart.com <http://www.parcoursdelart.com>  festival des jeux de l'esprit 1st weekend of november model show november avignon blues festival 3 days in november + infos : la voix du blues.fr.st <http://la                 voix du blues.fr.st>  les automnales de l'orgue concerts, animations, master class...  foire de la saint andré 30 november-1st december salon des collections 1st week-end of december  marche de noel Place de l'horloge december

However, it is worth visiting even when the spring is dormant as the town although quite touristic, is still interesting and has many bars and restaurants overlooking the fast moving river Sorgue.
Roussillon
As you approach Roussillon you notice that the earth becomes reddish orange. Roussillon's ochre quarry was one of the most significant ochre deposits in the world and it's natural pigment was used in paints.

Today you can explore the disused quarry, which can only be described as a combination of a mini Grand Canyon and a Martian landscape. Very Beautiful! (don't wear white shoes!)

The village of Rousillon and it's ochre coloured houses sit above the quarry and has several cafes, bars and restaurants to relax in after your exploring.


Fontaine de Vaucluse
(from Villeneuve approx.46km - 45mins)
(from Villeneuve approx.38km - 35 mins)
During the hot Summer months the Gardon and its banks become pleasure beaches. Rafting, kayaking, canoeing, swimming and just about any other water activity you can think of takes place here.
The River Gardon & Le Pont du Gard
 
The surrounding rocky cliffs at various points along the river act as high platforms for the very daring to jump from.  Although we wouldn't recommend this particular activity, it is very entertaining to watch the pros.

The river and its banks run for kilometres so you can walk as far along as you like to find the perfect spot to camp for the day. 
(from Villeneuve approx.25km - 30 mins)
However, one of the liveliest and most beautiful spots is immediately around the magnificent Pont du Gard.  You will also find cafes and restaurants on both sides of the river here.
Main Menu
Avignon
Villeneuve-lez-Avignon
Roman Provence
Medieval Provence
Provence of the Artists
La Camargue
Festival d'Avignon
Places of Interest
Events