📍 France

VAUCLUSE: PAPAL SPLENDOR AND PROVENÇAL WINE VILLAGES

Papal stones echo centuries past. Ochre cliffs glow gold at sunset. Lavender fields pulse purple. Provence's soul breathes, fully customizable.

≈ 10
Days
133
Km
10
Stops
📖 6 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Visit Avignon's Papal Palace, Luberon villages: Gordes, Roussillon and its ochres, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and its antique shops, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Vaucluse, Provence of popes and perched villages.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Avignon

papal palace cardinal walls

Avignon - Photo 1Avignon - Photo 2Avignon - Photo 3Avignon - Photo 4Avignon - Photo 5Avignon - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Palace of the Popes (UNESCO).
2
Saint-Bénézet Bridge.
3
Fort Saint-André.
🎯

Activities

→
Petit Palais Museum.
→
Rocher des Doms.
→
Festival (July).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 2.7 km
Travel time: 5min
2
Day

Villeneuve Les Avignon

papal fortress tower gate

Villeneuve Les Avignon - Photo 1Villeneuve Les Avignon - Photo 2Villeneuve Les Avignon - Photo 3Villeneuve Les Avignon - Photo 4Villeneuve Les Avignon - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Chartreuse.
2
Philippe-le-Bel Tower.
3
Ancient theater (UNESCO).
🎯

Activities

→
Panorama over Avignon.
→
Abbey gardens.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 24.6 km
Travel time: 49min
3
Day

Orange

roman theater amphitheater stone

Orange - Photo 1Orange - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Roman triumphal arch.
2
Archaeological sites (Puymin).
3
Villasse).
🎯

Activities

→
Chorégies d'Orange (summer opera).
→
Medieval upper town.
→
Provençal market (Tuesday).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 31.5 km
Travel time: 1h03
4
Day

Vaison La Romaine

roman street medieval crown

Vaison La Romaine - Photo 1Vaison La Romaine - Photo 2Vaison La Romaine - Photo 3Vaison La Romaine - Photo 4Vaison La Romaine - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Perched village (Most Beautiful Villages).
2
Dentelles.
3
Saint-Siffrein Cathedral.
4
Synagogue (oldest active one in France).
🎯

Activities

→
Côtes-du-Rhône vineyards.
→
Berlingots.
→
Sunday market.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 5.8 km
Travel time: 12min
5
Day

Seguret

hilltop village stone perch

Seguret - Photo 1Seguret - Photo 2Seguret - Photo 3Seguret - Photo 4Seguret - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Roman arch.
2
Paddle wheels.
3
Antique dealers.
4
Source of the Sorgue (resurgence).
🎯

Activities

→
"Comtadine Venice".
→
Petrarch Museum.
→
Gouffre Ecomuseum.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 22.9 km
Travel time: 46min
6
Day

Carpentras

market truffle tradition square

Carpentras - Photo 1Carpentras - Photo 2Carpentras - Photo 3Carpentras - Photo 4Carpentras - Photo 5Carpentras - Photo 6Carpentras - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Paper mill.
2
Bories.
3
Sénanque Abbey.
🎯

Activities

→
Bories Trail.
→
Pol Mara Museum.
→
Lavender (July).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 19.7 km
Travel time: 39min
7
Day

L Isle Sur La Sorgue

canal reflection water village

L Isle Sur La Sorgue - Photo 1L Isle Sur La Sorgue - Photo 2L Isle Sur La Sorgue - Photo 3L Isle Sur La Sorgue - Photo 4L Isle Sur La Sorgue - Photo 5L Isle Sur La Sorgue - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Ochre village (Most Beautiful Villages).
2
Ochre Trail.
3
Conservatory.
4
Canals.
🎯

Activities

→
Luberon Panorama.
→
Provençal Colorado.
→
Former quarries.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 8.2 km
Travel time: 16min
8
Day

Fontaine De Vaucluse

spring source underground mystery

Fontaine De Vaucluse - Photo 1Fontaine De Vaucluse - Photo 2Fontaine De Vaucluse - Photo 3Fontaine De Vaucluse - Photo 4Fontaine De Vaucluse - Photo 5Fontaine De Vaucluse - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Source of the Sorgue (resurgence).
2
Paper mill.
3
Castle.
🎯

Activities

→
Petrarch Museum.
→
Gouffre Ecomuseum.
→
Bories Trail.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 7.6 km
Travel time: 15min
9
Day

Gordes

plateau village renaissance beauty

Gordes - Photo 1Gordes - Photo 2Gordes - Photo 3Gordes - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Perched village (Most Beautiful Villages).
2
Castle.
3
Bories.
4
Sénanque Abbey.
🎯

Activities

→
Pol Mara Museum.
→
Lavender (July).
→
Luberon Panorama.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 9.7 km
Travel time: 19min
10
Day

Roussillon

ochre earth rust glow

Roussillon - Photo 1Roussillon - Photo 2Roussillon - Photo 3Roussillon - Photo 4Roussillon - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Ochre village (Most Beautiful Villages).
2
Ochre Trail.
3
Conservatory.
🎯

Activities

→
Provençal Colorado.
→
Art galleries.
→
Former quarries.

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 8 and 12 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.