In fine-tuning our itinerary for Sept-Oct., I am intrigued by stopping in to see (have a meal or snack?) Isle-sur-la Sorgue en route by car from Avignon to Roussillon.
Our itinerary is in place as follows: Taking train (3 hours) from Carcassone late morning on Wed. 9/27 to Arles/Avignon and renting car in Avignon. Driving on to Roussillon...
Current plan is to drive to Roussillon, stay for 2 nights as a base to see some Luberon villages. En route, I see that Isle-sur-la Sorgue would be a possible place to stop and see along the way to Roussillon. Worth a stop? People seem to love it as it is known as the "Venice of Provence" with the river and meandering streams throughout. Might be a nice contrast.
Right now, we leave Roussillon on Sat. Sept. 30 drive to Vaison-la-Romaine. I have 48 hours to decide whether to keep the Airbnb I just booked in Roussillon for 2 nights, where we hope to do a loop to see Gordes, Joucas, Menerbes, Lacoste., on Friday.
Question 1: Should we be staying in Isle-sur-la Sorgue instead of Roussillon, and if so, are those villages I just mentioned doable from there?
2: If Roussillon is a better place to stay for access to those villages (looks like it is), is it worth stopping in Isle-sur-la Sorgue on our way there from Avignon, or should we skip it? With train from Carcassone, renting car in Avignon, and driving on to Roussillon--too much for the stop? We can't check into the place I have booked in Roussillon until 5:00 pm, so there is time in that respect.
Our next destination when we leave Roussillon is Vaison-la-Romaine area and the Cotes du Rhone villages....we were going to take the recommended eastern route around Mt. Ventoux rather than going through Carpentras route (not as recommended b/c of traffic, confusing, not as nice), but that western route would also be an opportunity to stop in Isle-sur-la Sorgue en route to the Cotes du Rhone area instead. I'm torn. Appreciate any thoughts on this....!
Posted by
Washington DC
27096 posts
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue has major markets on Thursday and Sunday. Sunday is by far the larger. On those days (especially Sunday), it's difficult to fully appreciate the charm of the town because the market kiosks seem to be everywhere. There are also traffic and parking issues, though they may abate as the day wears on--I don't know. Choose your day wisely, based on how interested you are in being there for market day.
Posted by
OP
Minneapolis
186 posts
Thank you for your prompt reply-- we would not be there in time for the Thursday market in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and would be leaving (if we stayed there) before the Sunday market... our itinerary thus far is enough "fixed" that those days will not likely change. So markets wouldn't impede. It's just a matter of whether to stop there en route, or change plans to stay there for 2 nights instead of Roussillon...
Posted by
OP
Minneapolis
186 posts
We also have a day in Aix-en Provence (earlier in the itinerary) that will probably serve our market day needs, as they seem to have markets to varying degrees almost every day of the week. Not an important factor for us...we have been in this area before but a long time ago :)
Posted by
Paris
6888 posts
You could stop in l'Isle sur la Sorgue for a couple of hours, it is quite charming along the river channels (less so once away from the river) and parking is very easy outside market days (plenty of signposted parking lots). As always, make sure nothing is visible inside the parked car. If things are visible, stop before the parking lot to hide them away. L'Isle sur la Sorgue is not a car theft hub as far as I know (the issue is more prevalent in isolated locations, like trailheads), but still, better safe than sorry.
Another option would be to stop in Ménerbes: it is almost on the way to Roussillon.
Posted by
USA
367 posts
I'd skip the stop at Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. While it is lovely, you wouldn't be missing out on anything spectacular, IMO. Take your time, stop for a few groceries if you need to, then head on to your accommodations in Roussillon.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1033 posts
ISLS is the jewel of the Luberon, and not to be missed. The main thing that sets ISLS apart is, as you note, the water. Provence is so hot and dry, it is lovely to be around flowing, gurgling water. There are many canalside restaurants. There is a watermill. We loved floating down the Sorgue on inner tubes from the source (Fontaine de Vaucluse) to the town (the company picks you up from there takes you back to your car.
To answer your specific questions:
1. Roussillon and the rest of the Luberon villages are easily doable in a single day trip from ISLS. If you stay in ISLS and have a car, then I recommend finding a villa or gite (B&B) in the outskirts of town as (a previous poster noted), parking can be an issue in central ISLS.
2. If you do stay in Roussillon, ISLS is right on your way from Avignon, and well worth a stop for lunch. There is parking on the south (train station) side of the river.
Posted by
755 posts
Definitely stop. As others have said, it’s a lovely town and would be a good place to stop for lunch on your way.
Posted by
OP
Minneapolis
186 posts
Thank you all for the input! It sounds like a good idea to maybe stop for lunch in ISLS, if timing is right!
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, United States
138 posts
I agree, definitely stop. We have been there several times. And as for distances, I'd have to look at a map but we have gone to most of the villages you have mentioned.....in general, quite close. The Mayle trail - wonderful!
Posted by
Fairfax, VA
763 posts
What worked best for us was basing in Roussillon and day tripping to the Sunday market, but it sounds like you might be too far ahead in your planning to make a significant change. While it is pleasant enough, especially riverside, I think the “Venice” comparison is a bit of a stretch. I don’t think the stop en route would be worth it. Day trips from ISLS would be a traffic project, as it is a much bigger city. Again, maybe too late, but I think visiting Gordes, Joucas, Menerbes and Lacoste in one day is a lot. The distances between each, or maybe just the time it took us to drive it, we’re longer than we expected. Are you planning to stop for lunch anywhere? That alone will take 1.5 hours. I’d suggest you prioritize them and see how far you can get in the day.