Heading south to enjoy the sunshine is definitely the best idea to cheer you up! The sound of the cicadas, the scent of lavender and the peaceful landscapes of the South will be part of your road trip in this warm and colourful region. From Martigues to Valréas, welcome to the French Riviera!
Start this road trip in Martigues, nicknamed the « Venise Provençale » as it is located between the Mediterranean sea and the Etang de Berre.
Activities:
- Discover the Etang de Berre and its exceptional landscapes: it is the second largest salt pond in Europe.
- Walk along the coast towards the picturesque fishing port of Carro.
- Enjoy the Sainte Croix beach and admire the Côte Bleue from the chapel offering a great viewpoint.
- Relax and stroll in the Grand Parc de Figuerolles.
The Poutargue, caviar from Martigues
The poutargue (Bottarga) is a local speciality made from mullet eggs. A dish that can be savoured sliced or toasted, grated into pasta or a salad, or cooked in a sauce.
Fête de la mer et de l’étang (sea festival) - end of June
Fishing and maritime activities in general are part of the local culture. That is why every year a festival is organised around the theme. A traditional and special moment not to be missed!
A tip from a motorhome user
Join the village of La Couronne and its shops from the campsite by going up the road to the right and taking the path on your left before the stadium. You will reach the city in 20 minutes. Pascal
Located on the Côte Bleue and only a few kilometers from Marseille, discover the seaside resort of Sausset-les-Pins. Beaches, rocky inlets, pine forests… This destination has it all!
Activities:
- Go hiking! Many trails (all levels) are starting from the village.
- Try a new activity: horse riding, climbing… The choice is yours!
- Stroll through the market on Thursday and Sunday to taste the local specialities.
- Discover the local heritage: churches, squares, wash houses, abbeys and monasteries.
Savon de Marseille
Marseille is only about thirty kilometers from Sausset-les-Pins, this is the perfect occasion to bring back the famous and traditional soap!
Here you are in Le Val, in the middle of the Province Verte. The village will charm you with its traditions, way of life and traditional feasts. Surrounded by the hills, Le Val is a true haven of peace.
Activities:
- Visit the Musée de la Crèche and discover the former oil mill.
- Take a souvenir photo of the wash house situated next to the Porte de la Dîme.
- Head to the Grand Baou waterfall to admire this natural cascade. It is three kilometers away from the village in the direction of Carcès.
A handmade knife
Visit the cutlery manufacturer making custom knives, damascus blades, stainless steel blades, folding knives…
La Foire à la saucisse du Val (sausage festival) - every first weekend of September
This event perpetuates a 350 years old tradition and is worth a visit!
Cabasse is right in the heart of the Var and has a rich historical past dating back to the arrival of humankind in the region. The destination will delight history lovers!
Activities:
- Discover the prehistoric remains: Pierre Plantée menhir, Gastée dolmen, Saint Loup and Notre-Dame du Glaive chapels.
- Visit the beautiful church of Saint Pons. Built in 1528, it has wonderful gilded wooden altarpieces and a small museum of ancient stones.
- Admire the panorama from the Notre-Dame du Glaive chapel: splendid view on the Issole gorges and the surrounding massifs.
- Organise a picnic by the Issole!
A local wine
You will have a wide choice of wine in Cabasse, take the time to taste and find your favourite!
On presentation of your PASS’ÉTAPES card, enjoy a free wine tasting.
Enjoy a visit to the honey farm and a free tasting on presentation of your PASS’ETAPES card.
Heading towards Montauroux, east of the Var! Get immersed in a typical Provençal atmosphere.
Activities:
- Visit the Saint-Bathélémy chapel and admire its spectacular interior with its vaulted ceiling and walls entirely covered with painted wood panels.
- Listen to the water flowing from the fountains in the streets of Montauroux.
- Spend some relaxing time in the Gorges de la Haute Siagne. The site is listed as Natura 2000.
- Try paddle or rowing in the Saint-Cassien lake.
Saffron
Bring back some of this precious plant and keep a tasty souvenir of your visit to Montauroux.
Welcome to Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier, a medieval village perched on a hill offering an incredible view on the rocky plains.
Through the lavender scent and the colourful landscapes, drive through the famous Verdon Gorge: St Julien Place, Esparron lake, Saint Croix lake and many other curiosities…
Activities:
- Stroll through the village and admire the view on the fields of cereals, lavender, olive trees and vineyards.
- Walk between the mills to discover the chapel.
- Relax in the preserved environment of Saint-Julien Plage, on the Esparron lake shores.
A fine bottle of wine
Visit one of the many winemakers of the region and bring back some bottles as a souvenir.
A tip from a motorhome user
« Take the trail starting just in front of the campsite leading you to the top of the village (25 minutes walk, not accessible with the motorhome). Discover the squares, the chapel, the Porte de Gourdane, its mills and the viewpoint indicator. Admire there a magnificent 360° view. You can eat at the hostel before going back down the hill (tested and approved). » Pascal
On presentation of your PASS'ETAPES card, receive a 5% discount.
Less than 30 kilometers from the last stage, discover Sainte-Tulle. This destination is perfect for those who want to spend a quiet stay in nature.
Activities:
- Admire the lion’s head fountain from 1609.
- Observe the large archway above the church door supporting three bells of different sizes, one of which is dated from 1603.
- Visit the nave, its ancient paintings and statues.
- Hiking or mountain biking in the Luberon Regional Park.
- Go to the bandstand located in the centre of the old town square to rediscover the traditional festivities.
A book written by Jean Giono
The famous Provençal writer lived in Manosque, a town located 10 kilometers from Sainte-Tulle. It is the perfect occasion to (re)discover his works in which the Provence is omnipresent.
On presentation of your PASS'ÉTAPES card, enjoy a free coffee, a free rum tasting or a 5% discount on purchases of 15€ or more.
You are now arriving in Goult. This authentic village is named after the oldest and most powerful family in the region during the Middle Ages. Discover its facades made of old stones and ochre.
Activities:
- Walk through the Conservatoire des Terrasses de Cultures (growing crops) to the Moulin de Jérusalem and enjoy the panorama.
- Discover its heritage linked to the cult of Notre Dame de Lumière, the Saint-Véran Chapel and the Saint-Sébastien Church.
- Stroll through the narrow streets and take the time to admire the town’s architecture.
- Follow the botanical trails
Candied fruits
Candied fruits are THE traditional sweets of the Luberon! Generally used in pastries to decorate cakes or to add a sweet note to recipes, they can also be eaten on their own as a dessert or for a snack.
Here you are now in the Vaucluse department, in the mysterious city of Fontaine de Vaucluse. « At the end of a deep and verdant gorge and at the foot of a stunning cliff, springs the most beautiful river in the department: the Sorgue de Vaucluse. »
Activities:
- Canoe or kayak down the Sorgue.
- Visit the interior of the chasm.
- Observe the source according to the seasons: fresh and peaceful in winter, bubbling and lively in spring and autumn.
- Discover the emblematic heritage: the remains of the Château des Evêques de Cavaillon.
- Visit the museums: Bibliothèque Pétrarque museum, the Santon et Traditions de Provence ecomuseum, the « Vallis Clausas » paper mill and the Gouffre ecomuseum.
A souvenir from the flea markets
For more than 60 years, antique dealers, bric-a-brac traders, art craftsmen and artists have gathered in L’Isle sur la Sorgue, the French capital of flea markets and antiques. Search for the perfect souvenir to bring back!
A tip from a motorhome user
« Many restaurants and animations are to be discovered during summer. Do not miss the two villages listed as Plus Beaux Villages de France: Gordes (17 km) and Roussillon (26 km) ». Pascal
The next destination is in Bédoin, at the foot of the southern slope of Mont Ventoux and 35 kilometers from Avignon. It is the perfect spot for those who love sport and wide-open spaces: bike rides, hikes, trails… As for the village of Bédoin, it is located on the Saint Antonin hill and overlooked by the Saint Pierre Church.
Activities:
- Stroll through the streets and discover the village’s history, its fountains and wash house.
- Have a walk along the Draio Du Barry (meaning « remparts » in provençal).
- Have a drink and enjoy the Provençal atmosphere.
- Follow the trails leading you through the forest.
- Head for Mont Ventoux, a cyclist’s paradise rising to an altitude of 1912 metres.
A postcard
If you don’t make the climb, keep a nice postcard of Mont Ventoux as a souvenir!
A tip from a motorhome user
« Discover the main street of Bédoin with all its shops and get lost in the narrow streets, searching for fountains in the medieval village. Go on top of the Saint-Antonin hill above the church to overlook the city! » Pascal
Take advantage of a preferential rate for access to the municipal swimming pool, on presentation of your access card,
Offer valid during the pool's opening period.
On presentation of your PASS'ETAPES card, enjoy a free house aperitif.
On presentation of your PASS'ETAPES card, get a free coffee for every meal you eat.
Only a few kilometers from Bédoin in the direction of Valréas, make a stop in the medieval village of Malaucène, steeped in history.
Activities:
- Shopping at the market, known as the oldest one in Provence.
- Discover the monuments: the Saint-Michel fortified church and the Notre Dame du Grosseau chapel.
- Enjoy the fresh and quiet Grosseau source.
- Climb to the Calvary of Malaucène and admire the exceptional panorama.
Lavender
A bouquet, soap, a pastry or sweets, the choice of lavender products is wide!
A tip from a motorhome user
« Do not hesitate to go up to the Calvary to have a incredible view over the village ». Pascal
End this road trip in Provence by heading to Valréas! With its 10 000 inhabitants, Valréas is the most populous city in the Enclave des Papes (geographical region).
Activities:
- Discover the historic centre: the Simiane castle, the Notre-Dame de Nazareth church and the Pénitents Blancs chapel.
- Visit the Musée du Cartonnage et de l’imprimerie (printing)
- Drive along the roads to discover the typical villages in the surroundings.
A local cheese: the picodon
Born in the Drôme and Ardèche mountains, it is a small goats-milk cheese with a caprine and spicy taste!
Corso de la lavande - every first weekend in August
This small blue flower with its emblematic perfume symbolic of Provence is celebrated. Floats decorated with flowers animate the streets of Valréas.
A tip from a motorhome user
« Visit the chapel and go up to the the Ripert tower where you can admire an incredible panorama. It costs 1,50€/ person. » Pascal
