Malaucène, Provence

Neolithic flints have been found in the area dating back to around 3,000 BC, when it's believed the area was a centre for flint production.

In its early history the town saw the arrival of Celtic invaders, and after that came the Romans from the 2nd - 4th centuries BC. Roman artefacts from the area are rare, but the proximity of Vaison la Romaine and its importance to the Roman empire suggests an important Gallo-Roman presence in the overall area. Traces of a viaduct can be found here but not a lot else.

Malaucène is the source of the Groseau river and you can visit the spring to drink from its fresh waters.

The church of St Michel, which was the previous summer home of Pope Clement V, has a rather unusually fortified appearance for a religious building and is definitely a place to visit while you're here - tours can be arranged via the tourist office in town.

While wandering around the old town, look out for the "passage de l'ane" or passage of the donkey - a quirky looking, narrow route through the buildings.

The chapel of Notre-Dame du Groseau can also be found a few kilometres from the centre of the town.

There is a weekly Wednesday market where you can find an abundance of locally produced cherries and other farm produce for sale.

Malaucène is a great base for cyclists taking on the challenge of climbing Mont Ventoux, and there are also a number of hiking trails, mountain bike trails and horse riding trails that set out from the town.

You can also visit a number of surrounding villages from here, including Le Barroux with its medieval castle and monastery.

From budget eateries to the more refined restaurant, Malaucène has a fair selection of places to eat.

There are a small handful of B&B's and hotels in and around the village, some of which are a few kilometres from the centre.

Located 9km south of Vaison-la-Romaine and 18km north of Carpentras, Malaucène is less than 50km from the TGV station and Avignon airport and 30km from the A7 motorway.