Feedback On Relaxed Plan While Staying In Saignon
Jun 20th, 2017, 01:42 PM
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Feedback On Relaxed Plan While Staying In Saignon
We will be staying in Saignon for 4 nights/3 days in early September and know we can’t see it all…..
Hoping for some feedback/suggestions on the possible plan below?
Our Priority: A slow pace, a varied few days and a memorable time. We’re not big market people but would like to see one as we are in The Luberon market area.
Day 1: Tuesday: Drive from Nice to Saignon. Arrive late afternoon.
Day 2. Wednesday: Take time to relax and walk in Saignon. Visit Apt to stock up on supplies. Possible visit to Sivergues. (Has anyone eaten at Le Castellas Sivergues?)
Day 3. Thursday: Village visits and walks – Goult, Isle Sur La Sorgue (lunch), Roussillon on way home to Saignon.
Are these varied enough? Just discovered Thursday is also market day at L’Isle Sur La Sorgue – will this make it very crowded and hard to park?
Day 4. Friday: Drive to Bonnieux where it is market day. Hire bikes in Bonnieux (electric bikes for the 2 women and a normal bike for my husband who is a regular bike rider and enjoys a challenge.) Ride the loop from Bonnieux through Menerbes, Lacoste and Oppede. (Hoping the bikes have chains and locks so we can stop and explore on our way)
Day 5. Saturday: Depart Saignon via Forcalquier for next destination: Talloires
Hoping for some feedback/suggestions on the possible plan below?
Our Priority: A slow pace, a varied few days and a memorable time. We’re not big market people but would like to see one as we are in The Luberon market area.
Day 1: Tuesday: Drive from Nice to Saignon. Arrive late afternoon.
Day 2. Wednesday: Take time to relax and walk in Saignon. Visit Apt to stock up on supplies. Possible visit to Sivergues. (Has anyone eaten at Le Castellas Sivergues?)
Day 3. Thursday: Village visits and walks – Goult, Isle Sur La Sorgue (lunch), Roussillon on way home to Saignon.
Are these varied enough? Just discovered Thursday is also market day at L’Isle Sur La Sorgue – will this make it very crowded and hard to park?
Day 4. Friday: Drive to Bonnieux where it is market day. Hire bikes in Bonnieux (electric bikes for the 2 women and a normal bike for my husband who is a regular bike rider and enjoys a challenge.) Ride the loop from Bonnieux through Menerbes, Lacoste and Oppede. (Hoping the bikes have chains and locks so we can stop and explore on our way)
Day 5. Saturday: Depart Saignon via Forcalquier for next destination: Talloires
Jun 21st, 2017, 08:47 AM
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I think your itinerary is okay. Thursday isn't the biggest market day in Isle sur la Sorgue, Sunday is, so it won't be as bad. But any market day in any town, it can be difficult to park right in the center wherever it is, of course. Isle sur la Sorgue has a couple main roads not too far from the town center and you can drive down them as far as you need to find a spot. I know when I went there, but on Sunday, I probably had to walk maybe 1.5 miles back from where I parked? Maybe only 1. So I"m sure it won't be that bad on Thursdays.
Are you aware there is a market in Roussillon on Thursdays, also? But if you go after lunch, it should be closed up by then, anyway. But there isn't that much parking in the small lots right in town, so I'd avoid the market if you want to park close. Usually those close up around 1 pm. It's market day in Saignon, also, on Thursday, actually. If you are actually staying in Saignon, it might make more sense to visit that market on Thursday early (opens usually around 8), then leave for the day. It's just kind of odd that you are choosing your last day to go to a market, not the first or second. Do you intend to buy any food? If you aren't staying in your own gite or whatever, not much point in that, anyway, even if you pick up a few minor sweets or whatever. Usually there are some artisinal items, also, however, I think the one you are choosing to go to, more or less (Bonnieux) is only food, as it is the one in Roussillon and Isle sur la Sorgue (on Thurs) . The one in Saignon on Thursday has some other items.
I presume you know how small Saignon is, so that will be a relaxing day to walk around it. Of course Sivergues is even smaller.
I think the restaurant you are asking about is the Ferme Auberge le Castelas. Haven't been there, are you sure it's open? Yelp France says it is closed and the last review on French TA was about a year ago.
Your bike ride will be a challenge, that's at least 30 km, I think, roundtrip, as well as the hill issues (eg, Menerbes is on a hill). Well, I guess all those towns are on hills? So that will be a good long day for the bike ride, sounds like fun.
So I think your plan is good for what you want, a slow pace. I'd just think about the market day thing and look into that restaurant issue. I don't think Saignon has hardly any restaurants, of course, it is a small village. I think there are a couple.
Are you aware there is a market in Roussillon on Thursdays, also? But if you go after lunch, it should be closed up by then, anyway. But there isn't that much parking in the small lots right in town, so I'd avoid the market if you want to park close. Usually those close up around 1 pm. It's market day in Saignon, also, on Thursday, actually. If you are actually staying in Saignon, it might make more sense to visit that market on Thursday early (opens usually around 8), then leave for the day. It's just kind of odd that you are choosing your last day to go to a market, not the first or second. Do you intend to buy any food? If you aren't staying in your own gite or whatever, not much point in that, anyway, even if you pick up a few minor sweets or whatever. Usually there are some artisinal items, also, however, I think the one you are choosing to go to, more or less (Bonnieux) is only food, as it is the one in Roussillon and Isle sur la Sorgue (on Thurs) . The one in Saignon on Thursday has some other items.
I presume you know how small Saignon is, so that will be a relaxing day to walk around it. Of course Sivergues is even smaller.
I think the restaurant you are asking about is the Ferme Auberge le Castelas. Haven't been there, are you sure it's open? Yelp France says it is closed and the last review on French TA was about a year ago.
Your bike ride will be a challenge, that's at least 30 km, I think, roundtrip, as well as the hill issues (eg, Menerbes is on a hill). Well, I guess all those towns are on hills? So that will be a good long day for the bike ride, sounds like fun.
So I think your plan is good for what you want, a slow pace. I'd just think about the market day thing and look into that restaurant issue. I don't think Saignon has hardly any restaurants, of course, it is a small village. I think there are a couple.
Jun 22nd, 2017, 02:50 AM
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Thank you Christina for such thoughtful and practical advice
Regarding restaurants: We chose Saignon hoping that it is small but lovely with at least 2 restaurants for dinner. The other 2 nights we would either cook simple food or after a large lunch relax with cheese, biscuits, some fruit and wine.
Here is our thoughts for revised plan. We didn’t realise Saignon had a Thursday market so that is ideal for us. We have removed Sivergues and swapped the bike riding and village visiting days around to avoid town congestion.
Wednesday: Slow start and walk in Saignon. Roussillon for lunch and stop in Apt on way back to Saignon to stock up on supplies.
Thursday: Saignon market in morning. Hire bikes in Bonnieux for ride. (Will read up more reviews on how difficult the Bonnieux, Menerbes, Lacoste and Oppede loop is and maybe modify this.)
Friday: Visit Goult and L’Isle Sur La Sorgue. (Could fit one more in here…maybe Fontaine de Vaucluse?) We would like a scenic walk somewhere on this day and don’t want to spend too much time in the car as it is an early start and full day’s drive to Talloires on the next day.
A better plan?
Regarding restaurants: We chose Saignon hoping that it is small but lovely with at least 2 restaurants for dinner. The other 2 nights we would either cook simple food or after a large lunch relax with cheese, biscuits, some fruit and wine.
Here is our thoughts for revised plan. We didn’t realise Saignon had a Thursday market so that is ideal for us. We have removed Sivergues and swapped the bike riding and village visiting days around to avoid town congestion.
Wednesday: Slow start and walk in Saignon. Roussillon for lunch and stop in Apt on way back to Saignon to stock up on supplies.
Thursday: Saignon market in morning. Hire bikes in Bonnieux for ride. (Will read up more reviews on how difficult the Bonnieux, Menerbes, Lacoste and Oppede loop is and maybe modify this.)
Friday: Visit Goult and L’Isle Sur La Sorgue. (Could fit one more in here…maybe Fontaine de Vaucluse?) We would like a scenic walk somewhere on this day and don’t want to spend too much time in the car as it is an early start and full day’s drive to Talloires on the next day.
A better plan?
Jun 22nd, 2017, 05:40 AM
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That sounds good. There really isn't much to Goult, you know, it's a very small village, about the size of Saignon.
I haven't been to Fontaine de Vaucluse, but it appears to appeal to tourists apparently due to that fountain source. Says very crowded in summer
http://www.beyond.fr/villages/fontvaucluse.html
It's on the way, though. I'm surprised you don't mention Gordes as it is so wellknown and would be another option. It's crowded, also.
As an alternative, I'll throw out a village where I stay when in that area, as it is pleasant to walk around and has a few sights of interest but isn't that wellknown to tourists and not that crowded, Pernes-les-Fontaines. It's just about 10 km north of Isle sur la Sorgue on a main route, D938, an easy drive.
http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/vaucluse...n/pernefon.htm
If you stop at the tourist office, you can get a map and info there, it's just to the left a bit as you enter the town.
http://www.tourisme-pernes.fr/fr/dec...ir/les-visites
IN fact, you can download the town map from the above link.
Of course that will make it a bit longer drive back to Saignon. About 50 km total, and you can go the northern route so not doing that main route down there twice (the D900). IN fact, the northern route (going up D1 to D4 to go SE) goes through Venasque, which is a lovely small village, also. http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/vaucluse...e/venasque.htm
Maybe that's more than you want to do as there are things to see in Pernes (more than in l'Isle sur la Sorgue IMO, which doesn't have anything of interest that I know of other than the canals and the Sunday market, there are some antique stores I guess but doubt if you are into antique shopping on a vacation). I think Pernes is more interesting than Goult, which doesn't have anything in it either that I know of, but it cute enough. this is my favorite restaurant in Pernes if you can fit it in
http://www.dameloie.fr/
I haven't been to Fontaine de Vaucluse, but it appears to appeal to tourists apparently due to that fountain source. Says very crowded in summer
http://www.beyond.fr/villages/fontvaucluse.html
It's on the way, though. I'm surprised you don't mention Gordes as it is so wellknown and would be another option. It's crowded, also.
As an alternative, I'll throw out a village where I stay when in that area, as it is pleasant to walk around and has a few sights of interest but isn't that wellknown to tourists and not that crowded, Pernes-les-Fontaines. It's just about 10 km north of Isle sur la Sorgue on a main route, D938, an easy drive.
http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/vaucluse...n/pernefon.htm
If you stop at the tourist office, you can get a map and info there, it's just to the left a bit as you enter the town.
http://www.tourisme-pernes.fr/fr/dec...ir/les-visites
IN fact, you can download the town map from the above link.
Of course that will make it a bit longer drive back to Saignon. About 50 km total, and you can go the northern route so not doing that main route down there twice (the D900). IN fact, the northern route (going up D1 to D4 to go SE) goes through Venasque, which is a lovely small village, also. http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/vaucluse...e/venasque.htm
Maybe that's more than you want to do as there are things to see in Pernes (more than in l'Isle sur la Sorgue IMO, which doesn't have anything of interest that I know of other than the canals and the Sunday market, there are some antique stores I guess but doubt if you are into antique shopping on a vacation). I think Pernes is more interesting than Goult, which doesn't have anything in it either that I know of, but it cute enough. this is my favorite restaurant in Pernes if you can fit it in
http://www.dameloie.fr/
Jun 23rd, 2017, 05:58 AM
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We also liked the look of Saint Saturnin but it just didn’t seem to fit in the planned loop and now you have put the idea of Pernes- Les- Fontaines in our mind which looks really interesting….... So many choices!
We hadn't mentioned Gordes because we wouldn’t get there either early or late in the day so would hit peak crowds. We chose L’Isle Sur La Sorgue because the canals gave it a point of difference and we thought it would make for a nice walk through town along the water. (We are heading to Annecy later though so will see a ‘canal town’ there.)
We have read guidebooks, googled town images and followed forums to try and ‘picture’ the essence of the towns but they obviously all have their charms and people's favourites vary. We will just have to make a decision based on how we feel on the day and then enjoy wherever we choose!
Thanks again Christina for replying and for the links.
We hadn't mentioned Gordes because we wouldn’t get there either early or late in the day so would hit peak crowds. We chose L’Isle Sur La Sorgue because the canals gave it a point of difference and we thought it would make for a nice walk through town along the water. (We are heading to Annecy later though so will see a ‘canal town’ there.)
We have read guidebooks, googled town images and followed forums to try and ‘picture’ the essence of the towns but they obviously all have their charms and people's favourites vary. We will just have to make a decision based on how we feel on the day and then enjoy wherever we choose!
Thanks again Christina for replying and for the links.
Jun 23rd, 2017, 06:39 AM
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We spent a week in Bonnieux in 2015 and loved the area! Saignon is really small...won't take long to walk around it.
Even if you don't go into Gordes, you may want to drive to it to take some lovely photos.
You can see our pics here, they are labelled so you can see what towns they are:
https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]
Enjoy your trip!
Even if you don't go into Gordes, you may want to drive to it to take some lovely photos.
You can see our pics here, they are labelled so you can see what towns they are:
https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]
Enjoy your trip!
Jun 24th, 2017, 07:18 PM
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Those photos are wonderful Jamikins...makes me look forward to our holiday even more!
That's a good point about Gordes, we'll keep it in mind especially as we plan to be in that area.
It didn't look like you visited L’Isle Sur La Sorgue but Casaneuve looked lovely and I hadn't heard of that before. No wonder it is hard to choose a plan that is not too overcrowded when we only have a few days.
That's a good point about Gordes, we'll keep it in mind especially as we plan to be in that area.
It didn't look like you visited L’Isle Sur La Sorgue but Casaneuve looked lovely and I hadn't heard of that before. No wonder it is hard to choose a plan that is not too overcrowded when we only have a few days.
Jun 25th, 2017, 08:17 AM
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Your photos are beautiful Jamikins, some of those lavender shots could be sold for postcards (the ones on July 6th are really beautiful), they are better than some you see. Also, the sunset at Bonnieux is gorgeous.
I had trouble finding the towns, didn't see any from Gordes but I must have missed that. I saw Apt, Bonnieux and Arles.
I had trouble finding the towns, didn't see any from Gordes but I must have missed that. I saw Apt, Bonnieux and Arles.
