Wine tasting
This area is known for its winemaking and there is plenty of opportunity to sample and buy. You can follow a circuit around the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains and stop off at different villages, looking for ‘dégustation’ signs. Vacqueyras, Gigondas, and Rasteau are particularly good. In Cairanne, you can learn about the village and the art of winemaking through a multi-sensory exhibition, with local vintners answering questions and offering tastings.
Walking and cycling
This a fantastic area for keen cyclists, with road routes around the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain range, along the Gorges de la Nesque, and of course up to the summit of Mont Ventoux. There are a couple of mountain bike parks in the area too. Keen hikers could also tackle the mighty Mont Ventoux, or enjoy the distinctive scenery of the Dentelles with their craggy summits. A more leisurely ramble can be enjoyed through the lavender fields in Sault, particularly when in full bloom, or through the vineyards and olive groves that are so quintessentially Provençal.
Splashing about
For those who like to be on or beside the water, just outside of Le Barroux is a little lake, Lac du Paty, with a lovely lakeside beach where the locals go to cool down in the summer. About 25 minutes drive north are the beautiful Toulourenc river gorges with spots where you can go river bathing and walking. Head to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (1 hour) for kayaking and canoeing on the River Sorgue.
Family fun
There is a range of entertaining days out for the children in this area, such as a treetop adventure park, a water park, a theme park with rides, an animal park, lakes and caves.
Roman history
A short drive north of Le Barroux, Vaison La Romaine is the largest archaeological site in France with remains of a whole Roman settlement unearthed in the middle of the modern day town. An impressive Roman bridge links this to the medieval old town on the hill above, its narrow streets hiding cafés and restaurants among the rustic stone houses.
