Domaine de l'enclos Location

Nowhere in France does a region enchant as much as Provence.  Long desired for its ability to rouse the senses, what is most interesting is its past.  Steeped in history, human occupancy in Provence can be chronicled from prehistoric times to present day.   Most notable, though, are its principal forces of change, some of which have left an historical mark, for it has undergone Roman occupation, endured incursions by Saracen, Norman and Germanic tribes, encountered several dynasties, and housed the Roman Catholic Papacy for a stretch, until it fell under the domain of French royal rule.   For a small, rural locality, that’s quite a journey.

Still, it’s the pastoral landscape and authenticity that draws visitors near and far.  While cherished for its bucolic setting and village charm, Provence harbors quite a diverse topography, mottled by alpine peaks, plateaus, river plains, pine and cork oak forests, and arid soil.  The land enables the cultivation of wine vineyards, olive groves, almond orchards, fields of lavender and sunflowers, and a floriculture that largely supports the world’s perfume industry.  The majority of the region is delimited by water or alpine terrain, with the Rhone resting on its western edge, the Mediterranean sitting on its coastal southern and eastern borders, and the central Alps residing to the northeast by the Italian boundary.  It’s a most interesting locality in a country which reveres this region as their own playground, due to its diversity of activity, geography, and points of interest.

Provence is subdivided into five departments; Vaucluse—being that in which Le Prieuré resides—occupies the notable areas of Avignon, Orange, and Gordes, to name a few.  Avignon, the closest town, is a World Heritage Site, and it harbors numerous well-preserved, historical structures, including striking cathedrals and the famed papal palaces.  Situated by the Rhône, Avignon’s narrow, winding streets, lively atmosphere, and culinary enticements make it one seductive attraction.

Orange, which is a large town, is famous for its monuments:  the Triumphal Arch, which stands at the northern entrance to the city, and the magnificent Roman Theater.  With many small squares, museums and cafes, among others, there is much to see and do in Orange.  Resting in between Avignon and Orange lie the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, an appellation celebrated for its superior wines.

Gordes, in Luberon, which benefits from a privileged position in Vaucluse, is celebrated in part for the countless artists who once lived or worked within.  A scenic hilltop town, Gordes embodies a rich architectural history, as seen in the Romanesque, Renaissance and medieval sites throughout town.  Houses of white and gray stone rise above the plateau of Vaucluse, where streets that taper amidst this formation converge into one another, climbing ever higher toward a peak that yields a remarkable view.  Commemorated in Peter Mayle’s book, A Year in Provence, Gordes is, without a doubt, worth seeing.

Just below the hilly stretch of Gordes lies the Luberon Valley, a destination graced by French high society, as well as scores of moneyed European and American travelers.  Due to its many cultural and historical associations, and the pleasantness of its picturesque towns and villages, Luberon, notably, has received, and continues to welcome, countless visitors.

A bit further away are the lovely towns of Aix en Provence and Marseilles, a bustling urban center offering a host of activities.  Those who wish to set their sights even higher can head for the rocky coastline of the glamorous Côte d'Azur.    Très bien!