Villa La Pergola

Villa La Pergola enjoys a serene location on the outskirts of a picturesque village within the Vaucluse region of Provence. Nearby Mont Ventoux provides an impressive backdrop while the Luberon range and Rhône Valley add to the striking scenery in this lovely part of south-east France.

Just 2km away, the local village can be reached on foot in around 25 minutes (via country lanes) or by car in just a few minutes. Hiring a bike and cycling the short distance into the village centre to fetch your morning paper or pick up some freshly baked croissants is a dreamy way to start the day. There are some nice cafés, restaurants and a well-stocked Provençal market which is held on Saturday mornings. August also sees the start of the village folk festival, with street performances and parades taking place throughout the month. 

Historic Carpentras is filled with medieval relics, including the Orange Gateway and ancient Saint Siffrein Cathedral, which dates back to the 15thcentury. Just 9km from the villa, be sure to visit on a Friday and witness the locals descend on the atmospheric flea market. Some 350 stalls snake their way through the town, stocking everything from black truffles to shoes!

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a pretty town built on a network of canals and also boasting a popular antiques market. Admire the beautiful architecture, flower-filled streets and old water wheels as you weave through the town on an idyllic boat trip. Picture-perfect and just 11km away, it’s a must-see.

From here the Luberon Regional National Park is within close proximity. The range is home to several stunning villages, referred to as The Most Beautiful Villages in France. Among these are Gordes and Roussillon, which are 25km and 36km away respectively. 

Other scenic towns in the region include Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, once home to famous painter Vincent Can Gogh, and Orange, with its celtic fortifications and Roman monuments. They make for fantastic days out and are under an hour’s drive from the villa.

The gorgeous city of Avignon is a 40-minute car journey away and is packed full of wonderful things to do. Enjoy wandering around the bohemian quarter next to the River Sorgue, where you can find live music, trendy bars and great restaurants, or soak up the city’s atmosphere as you sit in the central Place de l’Horloge. No visit to Avignon is complete without seeing its two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Saint Benezet Bridge and the Pope’s Palace. 

As well as charming towns and mesmerising cities, this region offers scenic countryside and outstanding natural beauty. Immerse yourself in the landscape by hiking through the valleys, ravines and forests of the Parc Naturel Regional des Alpilles and exploring the maginificent lavender fields of Sault. 

Or, roam the Provençal countryside by bike, cycling along quiet country lanes, discovering the Luberon massif or tackling the climb up Mont Ventoux. This steep ascent is known for its inclusion in the Tour De France. Reaching the summit is worth the effort for the epic views of the Rhône Valley below.

Read more about Avignon

Stay in and around the region of Avignon to discover picturesque villages, historic towns, Côtes du Rhône vineyards and beautiful landscapes of summer sunflowers, olive groves and rural countryside. This is a fantastic base for exploring much of Provence and beyond.

With its historic, gastronomic and cultural riches, the small city of Avignon stands proudly by the banks of the Rhône, home to vibrant markets, restaurants, wine-bars and impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites.

One of the most visited monuments of France, Le Palais des Papes is in the heart of the old city, next to the 12th century cathedral and leafy Jardin des Doms where you can admire gorgeous views of the river and Provençal countryside beyond. Soak up the rich history of Le Pont d’Avignon on a guided tour before heading over the river to capture photogenic shots of the city from île de la Barthelasse, France’s largest river island. Avignon’s little tourist road train is a great way to explore the historic city with young children.

Stock up on seasonal fruit, vegetables and regional delights at the beautiful covered market at Les Halles d’Avignon or wait for the main Saturday morning Provençal market near the 14th century Basilique Saint-Pierre. Embrace the city’s food scene across its many cafes and restaurants from the tourist haunts of Place de l’Horloge to hidden gems found on the charming side streets and shady squares of the old quarter. Avignon is also known for its Côtes du Rhône wineries and bars waiting to be discovered.

In July the 3-week long Festival d’Avignon takes over the city, a world-renowned event with contemporary performing arts, films and exhibitions taking place across theatres, cinemas and outdoor venues.

Beyond the city centre, hire bikes to cycle along part of the via Rhôna route or enjoy the landscapes of île de la Barthelasse passing farmland, orchards and vistas across the river towards Avignon’s city centre. Meanwhile, antique lovers won’t want to miss the Saturday morning brocante in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, one of Provence’s most famous flea markets, or venture further afield to the wonderful Sunday morning brocante in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Embrace the Provençal ambience across villages of the Vaucluse – one of our favourites is charming Pernes-les-Fontaines, loved for its many fountains and delightful market every Saturday morning and Wednesday evening in July and August. Velleron is famed for its early evening farmers’ market open throughout the year (six evenings a week from April to September) whilst Saint-Didier and Venasque are two other picture-perfect Provençal villages to discover.

Driving south instead, visit the art galleries and Wednesday morning market of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a bustling town on the edge of Les Alpilles where Vincent Van Gogh lived towards the end of his life. Enjoy lunch on a pavement terrace in the idyllic hilltop village of Eygalières (you may even spot a discreet A-list celebrity or two) or head south-west of Avignon to embrace the historic ambience of Tarascon and Beaucaire with their impressive castles overlooking the Rhône river.