2 Properties for sale in Vaucluse, Occitanie (formerly Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon), France

Vaucluse

Home to prestigious wines, fragrant lavender fields, a rich architectural heritage and a legendary stage of the Tour de France, not to mention spectacular scenery and six of France's Plus Beaux Villages, the department of Vaucluse undeniably has many strings to its bow. Of course, it is also home to author Peter Mayle, who chronicled his first year here in the 1989 book A Year in Provence, and who has been a household name as a result ever since.

CAPITAL: AVIGNON - Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Avignon was the seat of the papacy in the 14th century and the Palais des Papes is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe.

Average property prices

Avignon: €180,000

Vaucluse department: €215,100

Access from UK

By air: Avignon

By train: Eurostar to Avignon

By road: Avignon is 986km from Calais

Climate

Average annual temperature: (Carpentras): 8.1ºC/20.6ºC

Average annual rainfall: 648.2mm

Average annual sunshine hours: 2,811

Highlights

Known as the ‘Venice of Provence', the picturesque town of L'Isle-sur-la Sorgue is popular with art lovers and collectors and has become one of the largest European centres for antiques. From browsing antique shops to activities altogether more energetic, there are endless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, from hiking and cycling to canoeing and horse-riding. Mountains occupy a large proportion of the eastern half of Vaucluse, with Mont Ventoux dominating the landscape. Towering over the lavender fields at a height of 1,912m, the ‘Giant of Provence' has been challenging cyclists taking part in the Tour de France since 1951.