©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Avignon & Around Includes ¨ Why Go? Avignon . 196 Encircled by crenellated ramparts dating back 800 years, Châteauneuf- Avignon lords above the mighty Rhône. Its 14th-century hill- du-Pape . 205 top palace – the former seat of popes – defines the skyline Orange . 207 and begs for exploration, while the narrow streets and leafy Vaison-la-Romaine . .209 squares fanning out beneath it invite wandering. Rolling countryside unfurls outside Avignon, dotted with Dentelles de Montmirail . 211 ancient villages and vineyards that produce some of France’s best wines. Sample renowned vintages in Châteauneuf-du- Mont Ventoux . 213 Pape or in the saw-toothed Dentelles de Montmirail. Dis- Carpentras cover incredibly preserved Roman ruins in Orange, Nîmes & Around . 215 and St-Rémy-de-Provence, and explore medieval streets in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue . .. 218 Vaison-la-Romaine and Les Baux-de-Provence. St-Rémy-de- The glass-green River Sorgue – ready-made for canoeing – Provence . 222 connects picturesque towns like L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, celebrat- Nîmes & Around . 226 ed for antiques shopping, and Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, the river’s mysterious source. Hikers and bikers flock to windswept Mont Ventoux, Provence’s highest peak, rising from purple lavender fields that perfume the summer breeze. Best Places to Eat ¨ L’Oustau de Baumanière (p225) Driving Distances (km) ¨ Le Verger des Papes (p206) Carpentras 67 ¨ Le Moulin à Huile (p211) Vaison-la-Romaine 80 24 ¨ Le Vivier (p219) Orange 53 22 28 ¨ 83.Vernet (p201) St-Rémy-de-Provence 41 45 70 48 ¨ Christian Etienne (p201) Avignon 42 25 46 27 20 Best Places to Stay ¨ Hôtel La Mirande (p200) s ¨ Sous les Figuiers (p223) Nîme Carpentras Vaison-la- Romaine Orange St-Rémy-de -Provence ¨ La Prévôté (p219) ¨ Mas de l’Amarine (p224) 194 Avignon Bourg-St-Andéol #\ & Around 666 Highlights Barjac 1 #\ Explore palaces, /·A7 bridges and ancient #\ Aiguèze streets in e AVIGNON & AROUND AROUND & AVIGNON & AROUND Avignon n (p196) . ô #\ #\ Montclus /·D86 h Bollène 2 Sample France’s R 666Pont-St-Esprit #\ great wines in Châteauneuf-du- Pape (p205) . 3 Revive Rome at #\ the Théâtre Antique Mornas (p207) in Orange . 4 A Climb to hilltop, St-Marcel- #\ vi medieval Vaison-la- de-Careiret Bagnols- #\ G Romaine (p209) . sur-Cèze non /· D6 0¸N580 5 Paddle beneath 0¸D6086 & A & the famous Pont du Laudun Tresques #\ Gard (p229) . #\ ro 6 Village-hop U through the St-Quentin- St-Victor St-Laurent nd #\ Baron Dentelles de la-Poterie la Coste des Arbres #\ #\ #\ H Montmirail (p211) . #\ #\ Roquemaure I #\ G Pouzilhac 7 Ascend Uzès Lirac hli Provence’s mightiest #\ 0¸D6086 Ta vel #\ G peak, Mont Ventoux Pujaut 0¸ #\ H (p213) . D981 Argilliers T \# Castillon 0¸D976 S 8 Antique-shop du Gard 0¸D6580 #\ /· and explore canals in Collias A9 #\ Russan #\ L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue 6 GR #ä5 /·D19 0¸ rges N100 (p218) . Go Pont du #\ Remoulins Gardon 9 Spot royalty, du Gard \# Cabrières explore Roman Poulx #\ Barbentane ruins and make a #\ #\ Théziers Aramon pilgrimage to Van #\ 0¸D986L Gogh’s last home 0¸N570 in St-Rémy-de- /· #] D35 Provence (p222) . #10 #\ #\ Graveson a Joust with Nîmes 0¸D999 Redessan 0¸D970 #\ gladiatorial ghosts at Maillane Beaucaire the spectacular arena #\ #\ Caissargues #\ Ta rascon in Nîmes (p226) . 0¸D6113 /·D38 /·D99 #\ Bellegarde 0¸N570 Fontvieille /· #\ A54 #\ 6666 Paradou #] Arles 6666 Alpilles 6666.