a week in Vaison-la-Romaine - best day trips?

I spent a couple of days in Vaison-la-Romaine in 2024 and loved it so much. Between the medieval upper town and the Roman ruins (which we basically had to ourselves), it was such a lovely place to be. I strongly recommend Le Moulin a Huile for dinner......we had a fabulous meal, served by such friendly folks.

As for day trips, if you haven't been to Orange, I wouldn't miss it. The Roman Theatre is stunning and one of the best preserved in the world. The stage wall itself is quite fantastic. We had a beautiful meal at Au Petit Patio.
Have a wonderful trip!

I don't know if these are best, but these are a couple we've done and liked. Nyons, Mt. Ventoux, villages at the base of Mt. Ventoux, Malaucène.

You are going to my absolute favorite part of Provence, where I’ve spent a number of weeks. So here are some of my favorites:

Visit the lovely towns just south of Vaison, especially Gigondas, and have lunch or at least un verre at the café Du Verre à l’Assiette, on the main square. I truly believe that lunching on a simple salade composée and a glass of Gigondas in this supremely beautiful setting is one of the highlights of my life, not to gush too much.

We’ve stayed several times in the unvisited village of Sablet, just up the road. Just because it’s not touristy, it’s worth a look. Also the small but gorgeous Seguret, Beaumes de Venise, Le Barroux (especially if you’re like me and love doors and windows - I photographed zillions), and Le Crestet, just up the road from Vaison.

In tiny Puymeras, also just up the road, there’s a great restaurant, Le Girocedre, with a lovely spacious garden in back for dining.

More ideas: take the beautiful drive along the D40 across from Mont Ventoux to Brantes. Great scenery and a beautiful tiny village. Also drive through thé Dentelles de Montmirail fo more lush scenery.

Go north to the relatively unvisited Drome Provençale. You’re getting toward the toenails of the Alps, and the countryside is hillier and visually stunning. You can visit the tiny village of Le Poet Laval, where you will see no one. Perhaps you might enjoy lunch there on the terrace of Les Hospitaliers, a gastronomic restaurant with fabulous food. If you’re still vertical after that, head to Grignan and visit the beautiful (I need a bigger vocabulary) chateau of Mme de Sevignee. There’s a statue of her in the main square in the village.

Coming back, you can buy olives at the source, in Nyons.

Don’t know if you’d be up for this, but you can do a one-night outing to Villard de Lans, in the Vercors, driving up through Dieulefit and Crest. It’s an alpine village in a beautiful area, and close to Pont en Royans with its famous houses hanging over the river.

I’ve got a lot more ideas, but you’ll come up with plenty on your own.

I’m so jealous of you! I’d give anything to be able to do these trips again, but we’re most likely more mature (ahem) than you are! The area around Vaison is much less crowded than the Luberon and for my money more beautiful. I loved every second of the weeks we spent there and would go back in a flash if it were possible.

Bon voyage and happy planning. Sorry this is so long.

I agree with the other suggestions and have one to add! South of Mt Ventoux is the Gorges de la Nesque. You can drive a loop around it. A lovely drive and beautiful vistas.

https://provence-alpes-cotedazur.com/en/get-inspired/natural-areas/gorges-de-la-nesque/

What wonderful suggestions! I'll list them all and I suspect the only problem will be fitting them into the one week we have - this time.
Thank you to all of you!

If you're there for a week you'll be there for weekly market day which is a real treat. When I stayed there it was one of my favorite markets because while St Remy has great food vendors more rural markets like Vaison have esoteric stuff like antique pocket knives, keys and farm tools the guy refurbishes. And unexpected stuff like lavender in a huge cardboard box that you can by for a couple of euros for huge scoop. If you have a car be sure you're not parked in the wrong place for market day morning!

And don't miss little details in town like the drainage for large public areas in town are still the original Roman ones in places.

Enjoy!
=Tod

We do love the markets - we rent places with kitchens so we can buy local produce and cook it ourselves... Nice to hear Vaison is a more authentic one. St Remy was great too but felt like it was catering for visitors and tourists a bit. Any other local ones to recommend?
What part of town is the market held in - so we can prepare our parking?

Not in this area since I have spent more time in more southern Provence. I've been to market days in St Remy, Bonnieux, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (huge) but oddly never in Arles but that one is supposed to be good too. I agree the St Remy market is great but it is more upscale to match the town. Since Arles is more blue collar I'd expect it maybe to be more general. There is a standing Les Halles in Avignon which is worth visiting if you're there.

Checking it looks like the big market is Tuesday morning but there is also specifically fruit and veg markets on Saturday as well.
https://provence-alpes-cotedazur.com/en/get-inspired/towns/vaucluse/vaison-la-romaine/markets/

A second on the Theater in Orange being worth it BTW.

Enjoy,
=Tod

The market in Vaison is awesome! It takes over basically the entirety of the new town. All kinds of goods there. I bought some great art and table linens, and all kinds of food of course including fresh paella and other to-go stuff. In May, strawberries will be in season and are ridiculously good. I’d check with your accommodations about parking, you’ll just want to be well situated the day before.

Also highly recommend the Roman Theater in Orange.

We had a nice meal at this restaurant: Restaurant Les Miracles. It’s at the top of the col du suzette.