La Fontaine de Saint-Gens
Hike through the narrow and wild valleys of the Saint Gens
Explore the valleys of Le Beaucet situated between the Mountains of Vaucluse and the Luberon Valley.
What to bring
This hike can be found on IGN map 3142 OT Cavaillon
What to see
Sights in Provence
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Baptistry, Venasque
Located 2.8 km away
Once connected to the cathedral by a semicircular vaulted corridor, the baptistery is a beautiful building situated in the narrow streets of Venasque.
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Musee d’Histoire 39-45, Fontaine de Vaucluse
Located 6.8 km away
This museum exhibits photos, records and videos of life during the occupation of France, the resistance movement in the Vaucluse and pieces by poets, writers and artists.
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Saint Veran / Sainte Marie Church, Fontaine de Vaucluse
Located 7.0 km away
This old Romanesque style church dates back to the 10th century and was modified in the 12th century. Its austere exterior matches very plain interior decor, very typical to the Romanesque style of the old ages.
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Abbaye Notre Dame de Senanque, near Gordes
Located 8.2 km away
This 12th century Cistercian monastery is an iconic scene of Provence. With fields of rows of lavender in an isolated valley leading to a beautifully solumn sanctuary, the Abbey Notre Dame de Senanque provides a glimpse back in time - if you can ignore the crowds of tourists that invariably will share the moment with you.
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La Collegiale Notre Dame des Anges, Isle sur la Sorgue
Located 8.8 km away
Originally built in 1222 this church was renovated and extended in the Italian Baroque style in the 17th century and was consecrated in 1672 by the Bishop of Cavaillon.
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Campredon Centre d'Art, Isle sur la Sorgue
Located 9.0 km away
The building itself has been protected as a historic monument since 1979 and is worth the journey just for that, let alone the art works inside.
Where to lunch
Restaurants in Provence
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L'Autruche Restaurant
Small restaurant where you will never eat the same thing twice. Their menu is solely based on what good fresh ingredients the local market has to offer in the mornings.
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La Cour d'Honneur Restaurant
Located in Avignon
Located right in the centre of Avignon on a well known shopping street is La Cour d'Honneur.
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La Vache a Carreaux Restaurant
Located in Avignon
This small restaurant is on the Rue Peyrollerie, a winding alley just off the Place St Pierre. It is a great option for vegetarians, offering a wide variety of cheese dishes and salads but there are also fish dishes available.
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Le Temp de Vivre Restaurant, Uchaux
Le Temps de Vivre is situated in the little hamlet of Les Farjons just down the road from Uchaux.
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L'Epice & Love Restaurant
Located in Avignon
This is a popular place with both locals and travellers. It has a small cosy interior so if you want to dine there, best to get there earlier rather than later.
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La Chassagnette Restaurant
This organic Michelin starred restaurant is situated just 12km outside Arles on the road to Sambuc and is run by the chef Armand Arnal.
What to do
Things To Do in Provence
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Aqualand Waterpark, Frejus
With numerous slides, including the King Cobra - unique is western Europe - this is the largest waterpark on the Cote d'Azur! Inludes a rest area, show area, clockroom, fast food, grill and pizzeria, ice creams, drinks, and shop.
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Aqualand Waterpark, Sainte Maxime
This is probably the most family orientated waterpark on the Cote d'Azur. With several friendly slides, a fun pool, food and drinks, ice creams, and shopping all at hand.
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Domaine Le Sagittaire Waterpark, Nyons
In the depths of the Drôme countryside in the French Provence, this 5 Star Residential Campsite comes complete with an entirely heated Aquatic Complex, which is open to the public.
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Aqualand Waterpark, St Cyr Sur Mer
Aqualand in St Cyr Sur Mer offer you 11 wicked slides in a great park environment with drinks, food, and shops for you to enjoy.
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Nyonsoleiado Waterpark, Nyons
Waterpark complex that contains a lagoon, 25m pool, whirlpool basin, waterslides for children and adults, cascades of water, rivers, paddling pools and much more.
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Wave Island Waterpark, Monteux
This huge waterpark covers an area of 4.7 hectares and includes a surf simulator, waterslides and a river feature called river land.
Where to stay
Hotels in Provence
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Lou Cardalines B&B, near Bedoin
Set in a traditional Provencal building, and carefully renovated, Lou Cardalines offers two guest houses with direct garden or terrace access.
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Domaine de Pierravon B&B, Bedoin
This fortified farmhouse has been converted into a lovely B&B not far from Bedoin village centre.
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Hotel des Pins, Bedoin
Hotel des Pins has 25 rooms and suites, a restaurant, a terrace, and a garden.
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La Bastide des Bourguets B&B, Sault
Perched on a small cliff, this B&B enjoys great views of the village of Sault below.
Price: €1,855
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Mon Ventoux B&B, near Sault
This charming B&B has four individually decorated bedrooms, free WiFi and indoor storage for bikes.
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L'Escapade Hotel, Bedoin
Located in a charming small village, with free parking and bike storage.
Directions
Once in the village of Le Beaucet follow signs towards Saint Gens Hermitage and park here. From the Hermitage go up the road some 250m and reach the Combe de la Fontaine. Take the left up the dirt path to the Lou Planesteu intersection (421m). Continue on the right and go down a small Clapeyrouse road (which means 'strewn with stones'). At the farm take the trail to the left which avoids a big curve and reach the Carroufra intersection (means broken rock).
Take the small road on the right, below the Lauzes until the La Vachere farm. Start down the trail to your left the turn right to head back up the Mayaud valley on the left. reach the plateau where you will see the cross at 631m. Take the logging road to the right. At La Plaine take the logging path to the right and reach the Trois-Luisants intersection, take the right path which narrows then swings right, goes down hill then crosses a pebbly scree and reaches the Saint Gens spring and Oratory. Behind the oratory a ridge path leads to a cross with a good view, 20 minute return trip. Continue down and reach Combe de la Fontaine, follow the road to Saint Gens and the start.