Mas Des Anges

Mas Des Anges is only 4km from Provence’s charming town of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, famed for its Sunday morning market and antique stores.

Reached via country lanes, the house and its vast garden enjoys a rural setting with a handful of neighbours and otherwise surrounded by farmland and countryside typical of this part of Provence. Within a 5-minute drive (or a leisurely cycle ride) you will reach a small yet characterful Provençal village with a grocery store, boulangerie and a couple of restaurants including a highly regarded auberge with a gorgeous terrace for summer evenings.

In the other direction is much-loved L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (4km) with its grand cathedral, atmospheric cafes, canalside restaurants and little antique shops. Visit on a Sunday morning to embrace the wonderful ambience of the bustling market where you can pick up all sorts of delicious regional produce from stalls set up by the canals alongside a fantastic brocante (flea market).

This is also a fine location for venturing into the Luberon region of France – Gordes and Ménerbes, both classified as two of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, are reached within a 20-minute drive. Alongside the Luberon’s many iconic perched villages, discover gastronomic restaurants, pretty markets, glorious cycling opportunities, wine-tasting and idyllic walks passing orchards, vineyards, lavender fields and forests.

For a change of scene, drive through the gentle landscapes of Les Alpilles passing endless olive groves and stop off for lunch in artistic Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (34km) or the picture-perfect hilltop village of Eygalières (24km). A little further afield is the famous village of Les Baux-de-Provence (43km) with its medieval château and hilltop setting surrounded by swathes of olive trees below.

Avignon (30km) is another fine day out, home to the UNESCO World Heritage sites, Palais des Papes and Le Pont d’Avignon, whilst history lovers will also adore towns such as Orange (52km) and Arles (57km). Venturing a little further south, embrace the romance of Aix-en-Provence (67km) with its exquisite architecture, atmospheric pavement cafes and surrounding scenery that has inspired so many artists and writers over the years.

Read more about Avignon

Stay in and around the region of Avignon to discover picturesque villages, historic towns, Côtes du Rhône vineyards and beautiful landscapes of summer sunflowers, olive groves and rural countryside. This is a fantastic base for exploring much of Provence and beyond.

With its historic, gastronomic and cultural riches, the small city of Avignon stands proudly by the banks of the Rhône, home to vibrant markets, restaurants, wine-bars and impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites.

One of the most visited monuments of France, Le Palais des Papes is in the heart of the old city, next to the 12th century cathedral and leafy Jardin des Doms where you can admire gorgeous views of the river and Provençal countryside beyond. Soak up the rich history of Le Pont d’Avignon on a guided tour before heading over the river to capture photogenic shots of the city from île de la Barthelasse, France’s largest river island. Avignon’s little tourist road train is a great way to explore the historic city with young children.

Stock up on seasonal fruit, vegetables and regional delights at the beautiful covered market at Les Halles d’Avignon or wait for the main Saturday morning Provençal market near the 14th century Basilique Saint-Pierre. Embrace the city’s food scene across its many cafes and restaurants from the tourist haunts of Place de l’Horloge to hidden gems found on the charming side streets and shady squares of the old quarter. Avignon is also known for its Côtes du Rhône wineries and bars waiting to be discovered.

In July the 3-week long Festival d’Avignon takes over the city, a world-renowned event with contemporary performing arts, films and exhibitions taking place across theatres, cinemas and outdoor venues.

Beyond the city centre, hire bikes to cycle along part of the via Rhôna route or enjoy the landscapes of île de la Barthelasse passing farmland, orchards and vistas across the river towards Avignon’s city centre. Meanwhile, antique lovers won’t want to miss the Saturday morning brocante in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, one of Provence’s most famous flea markets, or venture further afield to the wonderful Sunday morning brocante in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Embrace the Provençal ambience across villages of the Vaucluse – one of our favourites is charming Pernes-les-Fontaines, loved for its many fountains and delightful market every Saturday morning and Wednesday evening in July and August. Velleron is famed for its early evening farmers’ market open throughout the year (six evenings a week from April to September) whilst Saint-Didier and Venasque are two other picture-perfect Provençal villages to discover.

Driving south instead, visit the art galleries and Wednesday morning market of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a bustling town on the edge of Les Alpilles where Vincent Van Gogh lived towards the end of his life. Enjoy lunch on a pavement terrace in the idyllic hilltop village of Eygalières (you may even spot a discreet A-list celebrity or two) or head south-west of Avignon to embrace the historic ambience of Tarascon and Beaucaire with their impressive castles overlooking the Rhône river.