At
the hamlet of Coustellet visit the Lavender Museum
where you can admire a collection of 16C copper stills and
learn the history of distilling the essence for perfumes,
cosmetics, laundry soaps and cleaning products.
La lavande, l'âme de la Provence
Jean Giono
Near
Gordes, nestled in a small canyon visit the 12C buildings
of the Abbaye of Senanque, a harmonious example of
Cistercian architecture and tranquility. Take a guided tour
of the monastery still occupied by monks.
At
Gordes tour the Museum of Rural Life - 20 restored
«bories», dry stone shelters, from 200 - 500 years
old grouped around a communal bread oven and classed as national
heritage.
Free
lunchtime at Gordes.
Take a pleasant walk around this charming town, along its
cobbled alleyways, through its arcades of tall old houses;
past its rampart ruins and onto its shops, craftshops and
lively market.
Visit
Roussillon, another enchanting village with houses
of different shades of ochre, narrow streets, and surrounded
by hills of ochre rock. Walk on a signposted path in ancient
quarries to understand the ochre hills flora and see
the Needles of Fairies, vertical clefts in jagged ochre cliff
faces. Visit a workshop «Conservatoire des Ocres et
Pigments Appliqués» that transformed ochre
into concentrated powders for commercial use in pigments or
wall washes.
On
the way back stop at the Wine cellar Lumières at Lumières,
well-known for its pilgrims.
Then
flander at the fresh fruit and vegetable market in Velleron
to experience the tastes, colors and scents of our farmers
produce.
|