Villa Des Papes is in the Vaucluse department of Provence, set in the outskirts of Avignon around a 15-minute drive to the heart of the historic city.
In a residential neighbourhood, it’s just a short stroll through the local tree-lined park to a five-star auberge which offers fine-dining for lunch and dinner as well as spa services (treatments, indoor pool, hammam and jacuzzi). The area also features useful amenities such as supermarkets and shops as well as an 18-hole golf course within a 5-minute drive.
The heart of historic Avignon is only 7km by car and a wonderful place to spend the day. Of course, it’s most famous for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Pope’s Palace and Saint Benezet Bridge, but it’s also loved for its bustling markets and excellent restaurants. Head to the atmospheric quarter near the Sorgue river and soak up the village ambience as you admire artists at work and stop off in a café or wine-bar.
History-lovers should also include Nîmes (53km) on their to-do list, home of some of France’s best preserved Roman remains including Maison Carrée, perhaps stopping off for a picnic or canoe excursion by the Roman Aqueduct, Le Pont Du Gard (33km), yet another UNESCO World Heritage site.
Closer to home, visit some of the picturesque villages and towns dotted across the Vaucluse department - Pernes-les-Fontaines is lovely on market day, especially in the summer months when all sorts of seasonal fruit is sold by local farmers, whilst L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is enchanting with its waterways, antique stores and superb Sunday morning brocante.
There are ample wine-tasting opportunities in the Rhône valley including the well-known wine-town of Châteauneuf-du-Pape only 14km away. The mesmerising Luberon is another good area for sampling local wines – there are many great walks through vineyards, orchards and woodland as well as idyllic hilltop villages such as Gordes and Ménerbes.
The artistic town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence which inspired so many of Van Gogh’s paintings, is half an hour by car - visit on a Wednesday morning to experience its popular Provençal market or perhaps combine with a visit to Les Baux-de-Provence (40km), one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Set in Les Alpilles Regional Nature Park, this region is a paradise for walkers and there are some fine olive oils to be sampled in farms dotted across endless olive groves.
Cyclists will love the many trails through this part of Provence whether following routes through the Vaucluse plains, discovering the landscapes of the Luberon or heading towards the challenging Mont Ventoux – the charming village of Bédoin is around 36km away, a mecca for cycling enthusiasts.
Not forgetting other gorgeous towns nearby from historic Orange (28km) to the north or Arles (45km) further south, the gateway to the Camargue. Even Aix-en-Provence can be reached in just over an hour, no doubt passing landscapes loved so much by Cézanne.
The Region
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.
