A gathering for international contemporary live performance July in Avignon. Living literature in dialogue with other forms of creativity September in Manosque. L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue International Fair. One of the biggest European marketplaces for antiques and secondhand goods April in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The international photography festival From 29 june to 20 september in Arles. A popular bullfighting-oriented event that draws thousands of spectators each year March in Arles. A legendary race for motorbike fans September in Le Castellet.

From August 9 to 24, 2019


Events in Ménerbes
An idyllic piece of rural landscape, the Luberon is a wonderfully off-the-beaten-path area of Provence. The area's enchanting small towns and gorgeous unspoiled countryside are some of the top attractions of Provence. Exploring this picturesque area requires a car, but a driving itinerary is easy to do since many of the region's best places to visit are only about 10 to 30 kilometers apart. Its nearly inaccessible location protected against invasions during the Middle Ages. This 12th-century Cistercian abbey is encircled by a peaceful environment of lavender fields and rolling hills. The abbey is still a working monastery, but tourists are welcome to attend the religious services in the chapel and explore the grounds. Visitors can also see the abbey on a guided tour. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Gordes.
1. Gordes: A Picture-Perfect Hilltop Village
Abbaye de Senanque — 12th century Cistercian abbey near Gordes open to visitors. Honey, lavender essence, and liqueurs are available for purchase. Gordes —the immensely popular hilltop village is crowned by the church of St. Roussillon —the ocre-red hilltop village. Isle sur la Sorgue —this medieval town, built on the islands of five branches of the Sorgue river, is known for its waterwheels and antiquities markets. Pernes-les-Fontaines —a medieval fortified town, with walls dating back to the 16th century. As the name suggests this is a village with many ancient fountains; there is a walking tour that passes most of the almost forty charming fountains. The programme ranges from ballet to jazz to flamenco. Devoted mainly to opera, it also includes concerts of orchestral, chamber, vocal and solo instrumental music.
The colour, the texture, and the scent of a lavender field encapsulate for many the essence of Provence. You can enjoy the lavender fields by car, by bike or on foot. The map indicates where around the Luberon you will find concentrations of lavender fields: on the high plateaux around Sault, at the foot of the Mont Ventoux, and around Apt and Gordes. The lavender in the Luberon blooms from around the last week of June to the beginning of August when it is harvested. It is usually at its peak in early July, but this depends on the rainfall in the year. If you want to see sunflowers and lavender together, sunflowers are in full colour in July-August. You may also find lavender fields that contain a stone borie, which makes a more interesting photo than just the lavender. On the way to Sault you will pass the village of Simiane la Rotonde, which is a picture-perfect, perched village with fields of lavender at its base — an ideal spot to dabble in photographing the swathes of blue and purple. Perhaps the most famous lavender shot in Provence is of the field in front of Senanque Abbey near Gordes.