In May, do as you please: Top 5 most popular tourist sites nearby

In May, do as you please: Top 5 most popular tourist sites nearby

With its gentle sunny days, our lovely month of May offers ideal conditions to explore and enjoy the most famous sites in Provence without encountering the summer crowds! Follow your guides...

For a most enjoyable getaway in Provence, the month of May offers ideal conditions to visit the most iconic sites. Here's a selection that should satisfy your desire for a spring escape.


TOP 5 SITES
THE MOST POPULAR SITES IN PROVENCE
near our Guest House

THE ALPILLES 

A 30-minute drive from Gadagne
The authenticity of the Alpilles mountain range, classified as a Regional Natural Park, truly offers a beautiful setting for lovers of unspoiled nature... and everyone else!

Impressive limestone cliffs, numerous trails to explore, verdant olive groves (not to mention the excellent olive oil from the Vallée des Baux), and charming lively little villages...

In terms of outdoor activities, you can enjoy hiking, climbing, cycling, and horseback riding.
In terms of history and heritage, we recommend visiting two villages in particular: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Les Baux-de-Provence, which also provide the opportunity to discover or rediscover (the exhibition changes every year) the fantastic Carrières de Lumières.
Learn more about the Alpilles : https://www.parc-alpilles.fr


ARLES AND THE CAMARGUE

A 1-hour drive from our guest rooms

The Camargue... Do we really need to introduce it to you?
Wild, preserved, unique land... Largely classified as a Natural Park (both national and regional), known for its seaside (we love Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer), vast salt marshes, horses, bulls, and "of course," its pink flamingos.

Among others…

To discover all its assets and choose the ones that will entice you to venture there, we recommend visiting this site : Discover Camargue

When visiting the Camargue, a must-see stop is the old town of Arles, which, long before us, captivated many artists, starting with Van Gogh. Excuse our modesty!
A marked trail is dedicated to it: a guided route following in Van Gogh's footsteps in Arles.

Riverside of the Rhône, Roman ruins (arenas, ancient theater, baths, Alyscamps…), quality museums (the Musée de l'Arles Antique being undoubtedly the most exceptional), Romanesque cathedral, picturesque streets, great little restaurants, and shops of all kinds…
Whatever your reason for visiting Arles, you are sure to be pleased.

To convince you (if needed...), take a look at the website of this destination : Arles Tourism 


UZÈS & THE PONT DU GARD

A 1-hour drive from L’Oréliane

Why Uzès?
 First of all, visiting Uzès is a quick way to change regions and thus experience a different atmosphere (Provence, of course, but the Gard region in Languedoc-Roussillon). And to top it off, on the way, you’ll find Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Uzès is sometimes nicknamed "the Tuscany of France."
 A stroll through its old town and its cobblestone streets reveals why. It’s a charming little city that, in addition to its medieval character and architecture, offers a sense of Dolce Vita and a rare dynamism for a town of its size, with numerous events of all kinds throughout the year.

The walk is very pleasant, with plenty of shops, artisans, and places to visit. Our special mentions go to the medieval garden and its beautiful exhibitions, the Vallée de l'Eure (a magnificent natural space adjacent to the center), and the Provençal market (Wednesdays and Saturdays) for the quality of local products and the lively atmosphere.

Additional argument: the proximity of the Pont du Gard, an exceptional site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A masterpiece of Roman architecture, it is very well preserved and offers "3 in 1" possibilities: cultural discovery, a swimming area (it spans the Gardon River, where you can also go canoeing), and walking trails in the surrounding scrubland. A must-see, of course.

Find all the information you need by visiting: the Uzès and surrounding area tourist office website.


THE BLUE COAST

A 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Châteauneuf de Gadagne, our village.


Between Marseille and Martigues, the Côte Bleue is a well-preserved coastline... and above all, the closest to us and, in our eyes, the most beautiful. Convenient, isn’t it?

With steep cliffs, wild coves, and charming, authentic villages...
Relaxation, swimming, hiking on the many coastal trails, water sports, sardine and sea urchin festivals—there are plenty of reasons to visit!
An intense blue on the sea side (our beautiful Mediterranean) and a vibrant green on the land side (mainly scrubland and umbrella pines)...

Do you see the picture?
 
To perfect the setting, add the laid-back lifestyle of the area, the Provençal sun, the little fishing boats, games of pétanque, and of course, the Marseille accent.
There you are! Or almost: experiencing it is even more exhilarating than imagining it.

To do so, trust the travel guide: The Blue Coast by Le Routard.


LES GORGES DU VERDON

A 2-hour drive from L’Oréliane, our Guest House.

Although this site is a bit further from us than the previous ones, the presence of the "French Grand Canyon" in our "top" list was, in our opinion, unavoidable given how exceptional it is.

Vertiginous cliffs, turquoise waters of the Verdon and its lakes, spectacular landscapes, remarkable biodiversity, unique spots, and a plethora of leisure activities... Everything here justifies the trip!

Starting with:
  • - Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a perched medieval village classified among the most beautiful villages in France, known for its artisanal pottery.
  • - Lake Sainte-Croix and its turquoise waters (the departure point for many boat excursions in the Verdon Gorges).
  • - The Belvédère de l’Escalès, for a sunset you will remember for a long time!
  • - The Point Sublime, which offers a viewpoint… How can I put it? Sublime!

To learn more about the Verdon Gorges, feel free to visit: Discover the Verdon Gorges.



This is just our selection for today, subjective and of course not exhaustive...
 We will point out other sites in Provence, not far from our Guest House, which is located in the heart of the PACA region, in Vaucluse.

So, what are you waiting for to
"do in May what pleases you"?

We look forward to welcoming you for a lovely spring stay!
Christine and Dominique

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