Provence
 

I've got my holiday all sorted for this year in the Dordogne thanks to all the advice I received through Fodors. Now friends I am booking for next year. People in England are advance registering properties so far ahead I have had to do the same. I will be going to Provence. I have booked a farmhouse in a place called Caromb ( Carpentras is 7Km away). The picture of the farmhouse shows Mont Ventoux in the background. We will be going for 3 weeks in August. What can anyone tell me about the immediate area around the property? I'm not looking for specific information just anything that others would like to share with me about their experiences. <BR> <BR>Don't you just love France? <BR> <BR>Thanks Brenda

Brenda, <BR> <BR>My wife and I are going to Sarlat in October for three days. Then we will be heading to Avignon for 8 days, then Beaune for two, Colmar for three and to Paris for three. <BR> <BR>We hope to cover as much of Provence, particualrly Vaucluse as possible. If you would like, and you remind me by e-mail afetr October 20, I will e-mail and let you know what I find out. <BR> <BR>I would imagine htat we will be in or near Carpentras sometime during that week. Particlarluy if they have Cotes du Rhone or Chateuaneuf du Pape!

Hi Brenda, <BR> <BR>You have chosen onwe of the loveliest regions in the whole of Europe. <BR> <BR>Do not miss: Orange, Vaison-la-Romaine, Carpentras, Avignon, le Pont du Gard (Roman aqueduct), Bagnol, St Remy, Les Baux, Tarascon, Arles. These are not all exactly within walking distance of your farmhouse, but really not be missed because they reveal most clearly the Roman substratum to the whole area, which, as the name suggests, was a province of Rome, the first to be established beyond the Alps in fact. <BR> <BR>Mont Ventoux itself is bald and windy but affords good views to the south.

Like you, I have had to book way ahead, for the summer of 2001, and am staying with some friends in a small town near Orange, not far from where you are. <BR>Harzer offered good suggestions. A car is a plus to get to the many places in the area,and especially scenic drives, which there are around Mt. Ventoux. I would add Nimes and the Camargue area to the list, and even then, there is much more.

Check out our website for some views of Vaucluse. The focus of the site is our house in Beaumes de Venise but Caromb is only a short distance - try the muscat de Beaumes de Venise from Domaine Durban ot the village co-op. There is a link on the site to www.beyond.fr which is one of the best sites on provence in my opinion. Have a great trip! <BR>Greg

Maybe putting the address in would make the site easier to find!http://www.ozramp.net.au/~gyeaman

For those who are interested in this area: we just stayed in a gorgeous B&B called Le Honas which we can't recommend highly enough. It's in an isolated location behind Mt Ventoux, with stunning views. It's held by a young couple who've totally redone this old farm.Even the food is good (meals are optional). If you want more info, feel free to contact me. Otherwise, you can see more about this place at the following web site: http://www.guideweb.com/provence/cha...otes/la-honas/