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The
Area
Other interesting villages within a 20 minute drive of Grambois include, Ansouis, La Tour d’Aigues and Lourmarin which have Renaissance Chateaux (all open for visits and which feature musical and theatrical performances during the summer), Cadenet which has interesting pottery, Lourmarin and Cucuron where you find art galleries, tempting shops and restaurants. Each village has its own “cave” where the local wine is produced - we particularly recommend the Grambois rose! - and there are several Chateaux vineyards where you can sample more sophisticated wines.
A little further afield is the area made famous by Peter Mayle in a “Year in Provence”
and subsequent books - Bonnieux, Menerbes, Gordes, Oppede, Roussillon. These can be reached in 40 - 50 minutes. You might also include a visit to Isle sur la Sorgue
- the antiques capital of southern France – a delightful town with waterways and water wheels. The elegant university town of Aix-en-Provence (with museums, restaurants, cinemas, exclusive shops and a well-preserved old town) is a 35 minute drive to the south, as is the Montagne St. Victoire (many walking and rambling possibilities) which features in so many of Cezanne’s paintings.
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Of course one
of the best things about Provence is its markets with fresh
local produce and craft work. There is a market every day at
a different village or town. Some are modest affairs
catering to the local community (such as our nearest market
at La Tour d’Aigues on Tuesday mornings) and others are of a
more opulent variety such as that of Lourmarin on Friday
mornings.
Spice stall - Aix-en-Provence market
Mushrooms - Aix-en-Provence market |
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An hour to the
south will see you at the Mediterranean - visiting the busy,
cosmopolitan and exciting city of Marseilles perhaps or
taking in some of the small fishing ports which dot the
coastline, such as Cassis. Or take a trip to visit the
“calanques” – a series of mini fjords, most of which are
accessible only by boat or on foot, and which make the
coastline between Marseille and Cassis so visually
spectacular.
Calanque (mini fjord) near Marseille |
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From May to July you can visit the lavender fields to the North and North East
- some within 10 minutes drive, others such as those at Valensole,
about an hour away. By June the sight of the purple fields
stretching before you and the scent of lavender in the air
is truly something to experience.
Lavender field in Valensole
Lavender field in the Luberon |
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The area is excellent for those interested in walking and rambling and several designated nature walks start from Grambois. There are also cycling tracks and tours for the really energetic.
Tennis, golf and horse riding are available locally and information on
these and other activities can be found in the House Book which we have
prepared. Various cookery courses are available locally, please ask for
more information.
Site updated November 2008
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