Le
Moulin d'Aure has the good fortune to be located in the heart of
some of the nicest sites in Provence: The Valley of Les Baux de
Provence, Avignon, Arles and St.Remy. The Luberon mountains and
its perched villages, the Alpilles and the Camargue are all within
a short driving distance from the hotel. t your leisure, you can
discover a region full of history, traditions, artisans and craftsman. You can discover this land where men and women live their lives
in rhythm with the seasons of the sun.
The Camargue
Between
the two branches of the Rhone River, the Camargue is
a large plain between marshes and the Mediterranean
Sea. The
flora and fauna are unique to this region. It is a wild
land of the French cowboy and the inhabitants who depend
on the mystery and wildness of this unique landscape.
Discover the natural area by biking around the main
pond of Vaccares or horseback riding to admire wild
bulls or pink flamingos in their natural environment.
Fishing and rice cultivation are important in the lives
of the Camarguese. This is an area heavily influenced
by the Spanish and Gypsy cultures.
Arles
is the gateway to the Camargue. The beautiful Arlaten
Museum recalls the traditons of Arles and the Camargue
of the past with great exhibitions of costumes, embroideries
and artifacts of daily life. The
Museum of Antique Arles provides the visitor with a
very complete retrospective of the Roman influences
in Arles. Along with the Roman theatre, neither museum
should be missed by the visitor to Provence. The most
well known resident of Arles was the painter Van Gogh.
Here
he
lived and painted some of his most famous works. But
it is in St. Remy that you will find the most influences
of Van Gogh.
The
Alpilles hills
This
chain of mountains with its wind beaten, steep reliefs
is an exceptional place to visit. The famous citadel
of Les Baux de Provence sits atop this chain like a
crown jewel.
Standing
in this citadel, you will have unobstructed views of
the Luberon and the Mediterranean.
All
around the mountains you will discover small villages
where the rhythm of life begins with the morning market
and the seasonal offerings of fragrances, tastes and
and products of Provence. The countryside smells of
thyme, rosemary, savory . We recommend that you make
a picnic among the olive groves and orchards . Or take
a long walk among the golden wheat fields, the lavender
fields and the vineyards. Then you will begin to experience
the rhythm of life in the real Provence.
This
is a region to discover slowly by following the
sun. The sun which gives the life giving energy to the
plants and trees. And the sunlight which has challenged
painters to capture on canvas for centuries.
The Luberon
The
mountains of the Luberon , 25 kilometers from the Alpilles,
are home to the jewel box collection of perched villages:
Gordes, Menerbes, Oppede le Vieux or Bonnieux. They
offer unique architecture, extraordinary panoramic vistas
and an ambience that is unforgettable. The soil is
a natural palette of colors from deepest red to the
palest yellow which originate in the nearby ochre quarries. You
will discover art galleries and artists' studios tucked
away in almost secret places on the narrow , stoned
paved streets.
Avignon
Avignon
is at the crossroads of history,of Provence and the
Languedoc, and between Spain and Italy. You will discover
a walled Medieval city with the Pope's Palace and its
spectacular architecture at its' center. It
is a town of performing arts and the entire month of
July is dedicated to the international theatre festival. The
shopping area of town , within the ramparts, allows
you a shopping experience on a very human scale. You
will find the finest of contemporary and designer clothes,
along with traditional ceramics, santons and pottery.
Their are many fine restaurants . A speciality candy
is "LA Papaline". It is a sweet candy made
of chocolate and oregano liquer. This shopping area
is completely accessible by walking.
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