Provence - Driving Route Question

Old Jul 25th, 2006, 07:58 AM
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Provence - Driving Route Question

Hopefully my last question on Provence ...

My goal for one of our days (Monday 8/14) in Provence is to drive from St. Remy to Sault for the lavender festival. We then are going to take part of Stu Dudley's lavender route (backwards I believe) and visit some of the area. I will just follow via michelin's directions for the St. Remy-Sault part ... but I'd like to make sure that I have Stu's directions (backwards) correct.

-Sault (lavender festival)
take D943 south
D60A/D60 (past Joucas)
D102
D2 to Gordes
D177 north towards Senanque
D4 to Venasque if we are ambitious

Is this a good 'direction' to go and do I have it correct?

Tuesday we are going to do L'Isle ... antique fair, Roussillon, Menerbes and Peter Mayle country.

Thank you!!


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Old Jul 26th, 2006, 12:25 PM
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ttt
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Old Jul 26th, 2006, 01:25 PM
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That route is fine for getting to Gordes from Sault.

I would try to hit Senanque first thing in the morening, however - when the sun is in a better position to shine on the Abbey and the lavender fields in front of the Abbey. Also (and this is a big ALSO) that road from Gordes to Senanque is only 1 car wide for the section that goes above the gorge that the Abbey is situated in. If you encounter a car coming from the opposite direction, one of you will have to pull out into one of the "garages" so the other can pass. There are fewer cars in the morning, so you may not run into this situation as much then. Also, you will want to get out of your car along this drive to take a picture of the Abbey down below - and the sun will also be better in the AM, since the Abbey is west of the road.

On your "lavender" seeking, don't forget to drive northeast of Sault to see Montbrun and the lavender fields high above & east of Aurel around Ferrassieres. Also, the D245 on the Michelin Map (it's actually the D244 - Michelin has it mis-marked) is a scenic drive that usually has some nice lavender fields.

Actually, I don't know why you are doing the route in reverse. Probably the fastest & most direct route to Sault is via Gordes, Joucas, Lioux, D943, etc. Leave St Remy & head to Gordes, visit Senanque first (fewer crowds then also), then head to Sault. Return from the Sault area by taking the D942 which goes through the lovely Gorges de la Nesque.

Stu Dudley
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Old Jul 27th, 2006, 03:59 AM
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Thank you jenniel6 for topping

Thank you Stu for your feedback. I found D942 on the map and I think we may take that route. The only reason we thought we would hit Sault first is because we wanted to stop in Gordes and walk around ... but wanted to make sure to not miss the lavender festival in Sault. Hence, Sault first for leavender festival and then Gordes ... to park, walk around and shop if anything is open. I could be possible that we will take D942 to Sault but at the same time will have to factor in the 1 lane road from Gordes to Senanque.
Thanks again!
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Old Jul 27th, 2006, 07:15 AM
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>>then Gordes ... to park, walk around and shop if anything is open<<

Gordes is one of those "tourist" towns where the shops are open every day. Many stay open during the lunch period also.

The Lavender Route in my itinerary starts & ends in Gordes - so you if you follow the route, you have a chance for a visit in he AM & the afternoon. I suggest that you jut drive up there in the morning, stop at the "lookout" (you can't miss it), take a few photos & then off to Sault. When you return later in the day, the sun on the village from the lookout will make the village look a little different, so take another photo.

I don't go to a whole lot of festivals, but the ones I've attended usually have a lot more stuff happening in the afternoon than in the morning. See if you can contact the tourist office in Sault & find out the "schedule of events" - you may want to hit Sault in the afternoon.

Stu Dudley

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Old Jul 31st, 2006, 02:10 PM
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Hi Katzen! Getting excited? Maybe we'll pass on the lavendar route. Thanks for getting the specific questions answered. I may be doing the same thing.
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Old Jul 31st, 2006, 02:39 PM
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I don't want to be a killjoy, but this year's lavender harvest is more like a disaster... because of the heat and drought, much of the lavender and lavandin (what there is of it) is already being harvested. So I'm not sure what you'll see in the fields by mid-August.

Here in the Alpilles area most of the lavender has been finished for about two weeks.

Patricia
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