We will be arriving in Lourmarin (Luberon) Sat night June 9th and staying until the following Sat. From what I understand, much is closed on Sun and Mon in Provence- so was wondering the best use of our first two days?? Other than Isle Sur La Sorgue on Sunday (don't think we'll be up for early rise and drive to market after just arriving) - suggestions for first two days sightseeing? What would be ideal for introduction to area (our first time)? We'll still have Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri to explore area - so thinking we should plan these days for towns that are most important for all to be open! Thanks for any and all input!

VeeBee, a couple of things come to mind:

- if you are interested in Romanesque architecture and Cistercian design in particular, the Abbaye de Silvacane is open seven days a week in the summer. It is a very short drive south of Lourmarin. It is a museum site that you can wander through at your own speed. (You can get additional information on the www.monuments-nationaux.fr website.)

- in a similar vein, the Abbaye de Sénanque (just north of Gordes) is open Sunday afternoons and Mondays at that time of year. It is working monastery with guided tours, so be sure to check the hours on their website (www.senanque.fr).

- the Luberon is a very beautiful area for a drive. Village cafés will be open for lunch or a drink even if most shops catering to tourists are closed. You could choose a route that includes a stop in Oppède-le-Vieux, for example, where you can park and walk through the restored parts of the village.

- another scenic drive would be around the Mourre Négre (east from Lourmarin through Curcuron, up to Céreste, east back to Apt via Saignon, then south back to Lourmarin via Fort de Boux. You can climb Mourre Négre, the highest peak in the Montagne du Luberon, but I haven't attempted that.

Hope this helps. You might also track down posts here by Stu Dudley. He has scenic driving itineraries for this area.

Anselm

A scenic drive through the Luberon (north of the mtns) would be a good thing to do. Also head up towards Sault & explore that area. Detailed descriptions of these drives are in my 20+ page Provence itinerary. E-mail me at [email protected] if you want a copy.

Shops in Gordes & Roussillon will be open on Sunday & Monday. Most shops in other villages will be closed - some opening Monday afternoon. Bedoin has a very nice market on Monday morning. Perhaps head there in the am and then head east to Sault & pick up the "Lavender Route" in my itinerary. My wife & I will probably be at the Bedoin market that Monday.

Stu Dudley

Thanks for all the ideas ... would be kind of fun to do an abbey tour on Sunday -- Stu: I do have your 20-pg itin guide for Provence and have been reading diligently - hence the question about Sun/Mon... We may just try the Bedoin market Mon am and the drive you suggested -- however, is it likely there will be any lavender blooming this early (June 12?) You mentioned you and your wife may be there that Mon -- when are you leaving for Provence and for how long this time? Our week in Provence is in the middle of a one month trip our family is planning (or rather I am planning and my family is going..). We are starting in paris - then to switzerland - before arriving in Provence. After we leave - we will spend time in Italy.

Bookmarking

Lavender will probably not be blooming on June 12, unless it is a very warm spring.

We will be in Provence from June 2 till June 30, and then to the Alps-de-Haute Provence for 1 week.

Stu Dudley

The best time to see the lavender fields is from late June to early August.
One year we were there late August early September, there were some faded fields but what was wonderful was that after the harvest, when some plants were spent, never to bloom again so they burned the stumps to replant. The fragrance in the air is something I will never forget.