Three to four days lets you cover Avignon, a couple of Luberon villages and a wine stop without rushing. Longer if you want to add Mont Ventoux or the truffle markets.
Discover Authentic Vaucluse: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
At Mercure, we believe you shouldn't need a guidebook to feel like you belong somewhere. That's the idea behind Discover Local: since 1973, every Mercure hotel has been built around its neighbourhood, not just dropped into it — from the décor on the walls to the flavours on the menu. Step into any Mercure and our teams are on hand with the kind of tips you won't find in a guidebook: the market stall locals queue for, the bar where nobody speaks English, the walk that skips the crowds. They live here. They know. Discover Local isn't a generic city guide — it's a short, honest list of the restaurants, markets and neighbourhoods our own hotel teams actually recommend to guests, updated as the city changes around us. Below, you'll find our picks for Vaucluse, an interactive map to help you find your way, and answers to the questions travellers ask us most. So — where will Discover Local take you?
Our map pins local favourites such as Sénanque Abbey, the Lavender Museum and the Collection Lambert in Avignon.
Top 5 Things to Do in Vaucluse
Avignon
Start where the popes did. The Palais des Papes still dominates the skyline, and the broken Pont Saint-Bénézet — the real Pont d'Avignon of the song — juts halfway across the Rhône and stops. Walk the ramparts at dusk when the stone goes gold.
Gordes
A village built into the hillside, stone on stone, with barely a straight street in it. Come early morning before the tour buses, when the bakery's just opened and the Luberon valley is still in shadow below you.
Roussillon
The village itself is built from the same ochre that surrounds it — walls in ten shades of red and orange. Walk the Sentier des Ocres footpath through the old quarry pits; the colour gets under your fingernails, in a good way.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
A wine village in the truest sense — vines right up to the ruined summer castle of the popes. Cellars here pour the appellation's big, warm reds; ask which grower still hand-harvests, and they'll tell you without hesitating.
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Canals and waterwheels run straight through town, and on Sunday mornings it becomes one of France's biggest antiques markets — stalls along the water, melons and lavender soap next to old zinc counters and chandeliers.
Explore Vaucluse's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
What's on the map in Vaucluse
We've mapped local spots across the Vaucluse, from lavender fields to Avignon's art scene.
Luberon
Sénanque Abbey
Founded in the 12th century, this Cistercian abbey wrapped in lavender fields is one of the Luberon's most beautiful sights. Visit the church and cloister – in July, the purple is unreal. 26 minutes' drive from our Mercure Cavaillon.
Gordes · Abbey · Perfect for lavender season
Lavender Museum
In the Luberon Regional Natural Park, the story of lavender told through films, interactive displays and a collection of stills, with distillation demonstrations in summer. 20 minutes from our Mercure Cavaillon.
Coustellet · Museum · Great for families
Ôkhra Ochre Ecomuseum
In Roussillon, the former Mathieu pigment factory explains the region's ochre industry, from the 18th century to its international heyday, with its washing and grinding equipment. 25 minutes from our Mercure Cavaillon.
Roussillon · Ecomuseum · Made for curious minds
Jardin de la Louve
A contemporary garden in the hilltop village of Bonnieux, created by former Hermès designer Nicole de Vésian. Green, sculpted, serene.
Bonnieux · Garden · Ideal for a quiet visit
Ochres of the Luberon
Nearly 1,000 km of marked trails across nine sites, through ochre in more than 24 shades. Bring your camera – and old shoes.
Luberon · Hiking · Perfect for photography
Cavaillon via ferrata
Two fun loop routes on the cliffs of Saint-Jacques hill, a few minutes' walk from the town centre.
Cavaillon · Via ferrata · Made for active travellers
Avignon & around
Collection Lambert
Founded by art dealer Yvon Lambert, Avignon's contemporary art museum holds works by Cy Twombly, Basquiat, Anselm Kiefer and Nan Goldin. A 10- to 15-minute walk from our central Avignon hotels.
Avignon · Contemporary art museum · Perfect for art lovers
Les Verriers du Palais
Near the Palace of the Popes, a prestigious glassmaking workshop with tours and half- or full-day initiations – and you take your creation home. A short walk from our Avignon hotels.
Avignon · Glass workshop · Made for a hands-on experience
La Chartreuse, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
Once a summer residence of the popes, this 14th-century charterhouse with serene cloisters is now a national centre for writing for the stage. 20 minutes' drive from central Avignon.
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon · Monument · Great for architecture
Roman Theatre of Orange
One of the best-preserved Roman theatres anywhere, brought to life by the immersive 'Odyssée Sonore' sound and light experience.
Orange · Monument · Ideal for history
Maison Jean Vilar
A place of memory for the founder of the Avignon Festival, with a library, archives and exhibitions.
Avignon · Museum · Perfect for theatre lovers
Le Pavillon des Vins – Maison Bouachon
Coopers since 1898, offering cellar visits and tastings straight from the barrel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape · Wine tasting · Made for wine lovers
Parc Spirou and Wave Island
Two family parks 10 minutes from Avignon: one themed on the Spirou comic, the other a water park.
Monteux · Theme park · Great for kids
Château de Val Seille
A neo-Renaissance 'little Chambord' in Courthézon, now the town hall, set in grounds of ponds, grottoes and a rose garden.
Courthézon · Château · Perfect for gardens
Théâtre d'Augustine
A 90-minute workshop to make your own cosmetics, from day cream to lip balm.
Workshop · Ideal for something different
Mont Ventoux & Carpentras
Mont Ventoux
The 1,909-metre 'Giant of Provence', a UNESCO biosphere reserve for hiking, cycling and food tours. Fancy the climb?
Mont Ventoux · Mountain · Made for cyclists
Dentelles de Montmirail
Three chiselled limestone ridges between Vaison-la-Romaine and Beaumes-de-Venise – paradise for hikers and climbers.
Dentelles de Montmirail · Hiking · Perfect for climbing
Confiserie du Mont Ventoux
Home of the berlingot de Carpentras, one of Europe's oldest sweets, still made in its hometown.
Carpentras · Confectionery · Great for sweet souvenirs
Maison 1844
A family confectioner in Carpentras making natural sweets, with no colourings or preservatives.
Carpentras · Confectionery · Perfect for sweet souvenirs
Moulin à Huile du Comtat
An olive oil mill founded in 1870 and run by the same family for five generations. Taste the latest pressing.
Mont Ventoux area · Olive oil mill · Ideal for tastings
FAQ
Avignon itself is very walkable and well connected by TGV. But the hilltop villages — Gordes, Roussillon, Ménerbes — are genuinely easier with your own wheels or an organised tour.
Late June into July, mostly on the Sault plateau and around the Luberon. Fields further north tend to flower a little later than those near Avignon.
Summer, when the lavender fields around the 12th-century abbey are in bloom. It's 26 minutes' drive from Hotel Mercure Cavaillon.
The Collection Lambert, a short walk from our central Avignon hotels, holds works by Basquiat, Twombly and Kiefer.
Visit the Ôkhra Ochre Ecomuseum in a former pigment factory to learn about the village's famous ochre.
Where to Sleep in Vaucluse
See our Mercure hotels across Vaucluse, ideally placed to explore these picks.