I like to spend time away from Paris. Last trip was the Perigord, with a base in Beynac. I was looking further east for my next trip and I love the look of L'Ise-sur-la-Sorgue, and Gordes. Rick S seems rather dismissive of the two of them. Anyone out there have good relatable experiences in that area?
Nina
Hi Nina,
You'll probably get many responses to this query. We've only been to that area a few times, but never to the former. It apparently has a killer market plus a river that runs through town. But its popularity means large crowds. Gordes attracts plenty of tourists for its quintessential 'lovely setting'.
We've rented in Apt (large and with good market) and Lourmarin. The latter is pretty, popular and has what we feel is the best local weekly farmers market--world-class cherry tomatoes and best-ever lemon pie just for starters.
Cucuron and also the obvious Roussillon make great daytrips. The former has an unmissable ancient water tank surrounded by cafes while the latter's rare tones are exceptional. Great place to experience a wedding at the old church. Bonnieux is another.
Pro tip regarding food & vin: Cavaillon's melons are hands-down the best on the planet and when cubed into say Beaumes des Venise white dessert wine are a foodic treat for the ages.
I am done. the end
My husband and I spent a week in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue back in 2013 and enjoyed it. We made several day trips from there. The one thing I can predict is that it will have gotten a whole lot crowded since then! Haven't been to Gordes, though.
Janet, where did you go on the day trips from L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue? We're going there next month, and we won't have a car. I know there are buses and trains we can take, but I'd love to hear what you did. Thanks.
Just spent time in that area in April/May of this year….based ourselves in Gordes and St. Remy de Provence……we loved it. The markets are amazing. Spend a Sunday In L’Isle sur la Sorgue and see all that the antique shops and market has to offer there. Use your rental car to drive to Rousillon and Loumarin, 2 of our favorite towns in the Luberon. Gordes is nice to wander through and see its Tuesday market as well. The abbey just outside of Gordes is always featured in photos when their lavender fields surrounding it are pictured. We also took a tour through the olive oil farms just outside of St. Remy and sent a few bottles home. You will thoroughly enjoy it!
ISLS was a dream location for us. We stayed in a gite about 10 minutes outside of town, with a pool and patio under the cypress trees, full of cicadas. We had a car and did day trips to Avignon, Nimes/Pont du Gard, St Remy/Les Baux, and the Luberon. We also floated down a tube from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse down to ISLS - THAT was fun. You'll need a car but I absolutely loved it.
PS: Surprised to hear RS is dismissive of ISLS now. He is where I got the idea to go in the first place.
