exploring in and around gordes, france

What a perfect area to stay in to explore and visit Provence. This past September, I enjoyed Roman Ruins, Abbeys and Monasteries, Basilicas, outdoor markets in a different town every day, and, of course, the food and wine. Get the Rick Steves' Provence tour book and start reading up on all that there is to see in the area. You can take day trips to Arles, Nimes, Avignon, Orange, Carcassonne, many Provence hilltowns--too much to list. Two of my absolute favorite small towns with a lot of photo opportunities was Saignon and Rousillon. Also enjoyed a walk through the Colorado Provencal on the outskirts of the town of Rustrel. What you might enjoy depends on your interests. Sounds like a great trip.

A month is a long time. You'll have plenty of time to explore Provence and have leisurely lunches and dinners. My wife and I spent 3 nights nearby in Lacoste this past spring. We did:

Lacoste - the Marquis de Sade occupied a chateau at the top of this wonderul Luberon village from time to time
Cucaron - Le bassin surrounded by trees would be fun on market day
Lourmarin - interesting village on the southern edge of the Luberon
Market in Gordes (Tuesday morning) - If I were there a month I'd go as many times as possible
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue - cool waterwheels but otherwise underwhelming
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence - enjoyed exploring Saint-Paul Asylum but we're Van Gogh fans
RS Cotes du Rhone Wine Road - excellent driving tour with vineyards, have lunch in Le Crestet with a view of Mont Ventoux
Domain De Mourchon - great winery tour in English Wed at 5pm (we included a tasting before the tour in the RS driving tour)
Roussillon - we only had dinner here but the setting is beautiful among the ochre deposits
Pont Julien - we only did a drive-by but I wish we'd stopped.

If you're into Roman ruins there's a great theatre in Orange, an awesome arena in Nimes, the Pont du Gard nearby, and ruins in Vaison la Romaine. Have fun!

With a month there I'm not sure I can add much for you. Our Tuesday market time in Gordes and a few hours in Roussillon the same day was a highlight of our trip. At the Gordes market we found these enormous Pate de Fruits to be amazing. And do stop by Boulangerie de Mamie Jane for a pine nut tarte , just spectacular with an espresso.

We really enjoyed the Carriere de Lumiere just below Les Baux, as well, a very unique venue, take your time and enjoy it.

Lucky you! A month in the Luberon sounds heavenly. You have been given good ideas already....though the village of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue was a favorite! San Remy's Market (on Wednesdays) is very colorful and fun....a delight for the senses. The St. Paul Monastery and Hospital where Van Gogh lived AND Carriere des Lumieres, a don't-miss experience, were highlights of our May 2013 trip to the area.

All the suggestions above are great, but don't forget to just spend some time driving around and exploring on your own. That is how I have found some wonderful little villages with not much more than a restaurant and a few French people to converse with... Also a visit to the Abbey de Senague (sp) .Beautiful.
You have plenty of time so you should take a drive to the Carmague... very unique and interesting.

Hello Nicholas,

You lucky people, that area is our favourite part of France, there is so much to see and do without travelling far. Take the time to just sit at a table in a square, sip on a pastis and watch the World go by – heaven on earth.

I love my food and one of our favourite pastimes was to visit the local markets, such variety and so fresh – Velleron was our favourite, the location was just a dusty car park on the edge of town but oh boy……

The information following is borrowed from an information sheet left at the house where we stayed in 2013.

Velleron
Unlike most markets, Velleron Market operates in the early evening. It's a true marché
paysan – with producers selling from the back of their vans and the quality is exemplary.
Shopping in the early evening seems much more satisfactory than going to a morning
market when, if you're on holidays, it's a rush to arrive early when the stalls are still full.
You also have a much better idea of what you feel like eating at night and you don't have to
cart food around in the height of the sun.
In winter, Velleron market opens from 4.30 pm on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and
from spring (mid April) to autumn (end of September) it is open from 6 pm every day except
Sundays and public holidays. The market is on the edge of the village but it's also worth
going into Velleron to visit Franck Bouvier boulangerie.
If you want an incredibly easy meal, buy one of the roasted chickens, straight from the
rotisserie as you leave the market. With that, some greens and some crusty bread you
have a perfect meal.

Larger markets that operate daily:

Les Halles market in Avignon and the Aix-en-Provence market are the two giants of the
region, which operate every day.

Markets by the day of the week:

Sunday;

On Sunday, all roads lead to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue both for the general market and the antiques market. There's also a farmer's market at nearby Coustellet (April-October) that's well worth a visit and a market at nearby Mormoiron.

Monday;

There is a market in Bédoin. Also nearby are Mazan and Saint-Didier.
Other options, which might fit in with your touring plans, include Cadenet, Cavaillon and
Goult.

Tuesday;

Try Caromb or Vaison la Romaine - one of Provence's best markets.
Other options include La Tour d'Aigues, Beaumes-de-Venise (summer), Fontaine-de-
Vaucluse, Gordes, Lacoste, and Cucuron.
There's also a farmer's market in Apt on Tuesdays (possibly not in winter).

Wednesday;

Markets operate in Malaucene, and Roussillon and Sault.
If you're planning to visit Saint Rémy de Provence, its market day is also Wednesday.

Thursday;

Markets include Orange, Cairanne and Aubignan. Further afield, there is a market in Ansouis.

Friday;

Carpentras has one of the most impressive markets in the area, especially in winter when
you can watch the professional truffle market.
Other nearby markets include Bonnieux, Lourmarin and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Friday markets that are further afield include the pretty village of Eygalières.

Saturday;

The Apt market is well worth a visit. Also, there is a market in Crillon-le-Brave and at
Pernes-Les-Fontaines. Saint-Rémy also operates on Saturday.
In winter, the truffle market at Richerenches is a must visit, just to look. There's also a
small market that's open to the public and, after the market you can have a truffle omelette
in the local hall.
There is also a farmer's market in Cadenet on Saturday.