Population: 499,695, Area: 3,450 km².
Discover the wonders of Vaucluse
The department of Vaucluse is located inland, without opening to the sea. For many it is here that the heart of Provence beats.
A Provence sculpted in the mountains (Mont Ventoux 1912 m, Dentelles de Montmirail, Monts de Vaucluse and Montagne du Luberon) which at the same time offers immense wild plains and green hills where illustrious vineyards flourish.
A unique case in France, 4 villages belonging to the Haut Vaucluse are enclosed in the department of Drome and thus form the enclave of the Popes above Vaison la Romaine, next to Bollene. The southern half of Vaucluse is occupied by the famous Luberon country, which stretches from Cavaillon to Pertuis, along the course of the Durance and from Rustrel to Grambois along the Alpes de Haute Provence.
The villages are charming, old and most of them perched high on the rocky chain of the Luberon in the middle of superb nature ... of course.
The Luberon
This is a land of castles, perched villages and craggy landscape. The Luberon is a place much sought after. Even before Peter Mayle and his bestseller "A year in Provence", famous people both in politics and show business came here to escape the curious crowds.
Right in the heart of Provence, Luberon offers such historical and cultural sites as the Abbey of Senanque and the typical villages of Gordes, Ménerbes, Lourmarin. In the midst of this rough countryside of deep crevices and terrassed slopes the Luberon inhabitants have made a living out of wine making and the cultivation of lavender native to this soil.
Avignon, Sorgues, Comtat Venaissin and Mount Ventoux
From the beautiful and festive Avignon in the far West to the wild country of Sault in the East, this large part of the department is available in contrasting decor : oasis of freshness in Sorgues area (l'Isle sur la Sorgue, Fontaine de Vaucluse), orchards and vineyards of Comtat Venaissin (Carpentras, Le Beaucet, Pernes les Fontaines), wheat and lavender from Sault area, Mont Ventoux with Bedoin at his feet, watches like a sentry posted in the middle of the plains and plateaus.
This vast plain is at the head of the national production of many fruits and vegetables. It is also the terroir of the Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Ventoux, the majority are classified in AOC. You will discover the vintages which contribute to the prestige of our gastronomy: the Châteauneuf du Pape, the famous Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes de Venise, Séguret or Rasteau... to name a few.
Viticulture is a centuries-old tradition, it is the terroir of wines from Cotes du Rhone, Cotes du Ventoux and Côtes du Luberon. The Chateauneuf du Pape cru contributes to the reputation of the region with the famous Gigondas, Vacqueyras and other Rasteau.
The Upper Vaucluse or the “Provence of Popes”
It is a preserved Provence, steeped in history with the towns of Orange and Vaison la Romaine and surrounded by dense vegetation, forests of oaks and pines.
it is a land that smells of truffles, lavender, honey and good wine. Nature is strong and authentic, it is respected by the locals. The Dentelles de Montmirail lend their high peaks, finely chiseled by erosion, to varape and climbing enthusiasts. At the bottom of the Popes' enclave, it is a land that smells of truffles (Valreas, Richerenches), lavender, honey and good wine. Nature is strong and authentic, it is respected by the locals.
This is the Provence made from the love of hard work and the knowledge that has been transmitted from generation to generation!