SUNDAY : COUSTELLET - ISLE SUR LA SORGUE - FONTAINE DE VAUCLUSEThe morning is dedicated to two important markets, one in Coustellet (only from april to october) wich is a farmer's market and the other one in Isle sur la Sorgue mainly for antique lovers.
Coustellet is a small village located at the cross roads of important communication ways between Cavaillon and Apt, at the bottom of the Luberon mountain, in the heart of a great vegetable producing area. Every local products are to be found in Coustellet : meat, fish, bread, olives, tapenade, honey and conserves, herbs and spices, cheese, goat cheese, flowers, oils and wines, ready-to-eat rotisserie chickens, Provencal fabrics and housewares; clothes, the perfect straw hat or straw basket to take to the markets, and much else besides.
L'Isle sur la Sorgue is one of those places in Provence that one has to see.
Its colors are nature's green and the bright reflection of the water shining from the several canals running through its center. The river Sorgue surrounds the city as if to hug it. Walking along the canals you will notice how they run between the narrow ancient streets. There are little bridges to cross and great wheels to look at with mossy blades turning in the river. Long ago, the silk and paper industries used those great wheels in the river for manufacturing their local products.
The town worse a visit for itself and antique lovers and art collectors will be gratified by the nearly 300 permanent antique dealers and second hand shops here. l'Isle sur la Sorgue is actually the capital of antique shops in the south of France.On Sunday there is full brocante (knick-knack) market along the shores of the Sorgue with a festive ambience. This day, more antique shops are open and other antique dealers coming from elsewhere display their objects all over the city.
Free lunch on the spot.
Fontaine de Vaucluse
It is a medieval village tucked in a "closed valley" (= vaucluse) at the southwestern corner of the mountainous Plateau de Vaucluse. The key feature of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is the truly amazing and unique sight of the high and steep cliff where the river Sorgue used to gush up out of the ground (not these last years). (15 min. walk)
But a few meters down, the river takes it sources from many springs. Then, the river settles down to a wide expanse in front of dams and waterwheels, passing under the bridge at the center of the village. The banks of the river are lined with overhanging trees, parks, houses with lovely gardens.Between the sites, your driver-guide will explain you many things about the history, the tradition, the natural environment...
You will be able to stop as much as you want to take pictures, to taste local products or just to breath the fabulous scents of the provençal plants...