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| In the vicinity |
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| Medieval Carthusian monastery of Valbonne |
Provence literally abounds in beautiful villages, historic sites and spectacular scenery. Of course you should see all the "big" sites - Avignon, Nimes, Arles, the Pont du Gard, etc - but there are also innumerable sites and towns, monuments and drives, well worth a day's visit.
A pretty 20-minute drive from Saint Victor la Coste is the Chartreuse de Valbonne, a spectacular medieval monastery where Cotes du Rhone wines are now produced. |
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| Swimmers in the river Ceze at the foot of the medieval village of Montclus |
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 Just as near is the Ceze river valley, a very little touristed area where a series of villages, and the river gorges themselves, make an excellent day's outing. Each of the villages offers its typical Provence architecture and character. In many you can also find special local products, such as the homemade jams in the village of Cornillon (right). |
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Henri Matisse
"Open window in Nice" |
Mediterranean Pottery museum |
Little-known museums in towns near Saint Victor la Coste offer many treasures to discover. For example, in Bagnols sur Ceze, a small art museum boasts a surprising collection of paintings (offered to the museum many years ago by Albert André, friend of Bonnard, Matisse, and others).
In Saint Quentin la Poterie, small village near Uzes, a dozen potters have recreated the activity that gave the village its name. A pottery museum completes the discovery of Mediterranean and world-wide techniques. |
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| Fortified entrance to the Fort Saint André, from which there is a spectacular view of Avignon |
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One of the cloisters in
the medieval monastery |
The Town of Villeneuve-les-Avignon, right across the Rhone from the much more famous Avignon, is much less touristy but offers a taste of genuine Provence atmosphere. What's more, there's lots to see: there is the fort at the top of the hill (left), a medieval monastery that has now become a cultural center (right), a charming museum, some very nice gardens in an old abbey, and pretty streets to wander. |
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The Ardeche river gorges
The village of Aiguèze,
above the gorges |
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North of Saint Victor la Coste is the Ardeche river gorge, where you can drive from one lookout to the next, or take a hike or a canoe or kayak trip down the gorge itself.
In the entire region, every village is worth a stop, for thier scenery and their winding streets. |
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| An olive grove |
The gardens of Saint André |
All around the region, there are hikes to take, scenery to enjoy, gardens to visit, ruins to wander. The region is famous for its light (that attracted so many painters in the early 20th century: Picasso, Van Gogh, Gaugin, etc). You should also be sure to check out the local products - the wine of course, but also olive oils, goat cheeses, Provence soaps and fabrics, and more. |
A few links :
The region is described fully at : www.gard-provencal.com
The Valbonne monastery : www.chartreusedevalbonne.com
Laudun, 5 minutes from St Victor la Coste : www.ville-laudun.fr
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