Wines and sweets of the Vaucluse |
Provence Holidays : discover small villages
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The country of candied fruit and Côtes du Ventoux wines |
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A few kilometres from there, in Gargas, several settling tanks - some still being used - visible from the road, testify to the ochre industry past of the village. The ruins of a treatment plant still exist, but only the Guigou company still extracts yellow ochre here. On top of the Perréal hillside, your eye will embrace one of the most warmly coloured paintings that can be seen under the southern sun. You will also undoubtedly notice the vineyards : here, Côtes du Ventoux wines are produced, wines of the appellation contrôlée. Wandering through the heart of the village, it's difficult to resist the mouthwatering shop windows of the traditional confectioner's shops. Gargas perpetuates the custom of preparing candied fruits in the traditional way, with, for example, the Confiserie Saint Denis with its incomparable candied fruits, and the Maison Fernandez, which has received the award of "Best Preserves Maker in France". Finally, for a refined and peaceful meal, you must go to Bernard Mathys' restaurant: on the menu, loin of suckling lamb from the Luberon with an herb crust or roasted pigeon and small artichokes.
Luberon - Le Chêne Gargas, restaurant Chez Bernard Mathys, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Tel : 04 90 04 84 64
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Candied fruit : Gargas, a region of fruit and traditional techniques
Denis Cececom, Restaurant Bernard Mathys, Moulin à huile Saint Saturnin d'Apt |
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A bit farther away, on the southern slope of the Monts de Vaucluse, across from the Luberon, St Saturnin lès Apt is made up of the former market town and several hamlets, situated between 300 and 1000 metres altitude. Spreading over 7500 hectares, Saint Saturnin is covered in 4500 hectares of forest. Grapes, cherries, olives and lavender are the main production of this big "village". The olive oil from the Moulin Jullien mill is, by the way, one of the best in the region. Built against a rock on which two 17th century windmills and the ruins of a medieval château mount guard, the centre of Saint Saturnin has many beautiful old houses, sculpted porches and finely worked doors and window frames.
Farther east, between Rustrel and the hamlet of Gignac, on the banks of the Dôa river, « la rivière des ocriers », many walking trails lead to an incredible succession of rust-coloured rocks, golden cliffs and red earth pillars, which rise up majestically from the vegetation. |
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A Food-lover's Excursion on the Ochre Trail
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