This is only a partial list of activities scheduled for the 
  Spring - Summer- Fall  "Season"
in towns near Maison des Pelerins and Sablet. 

Please note: Towns and villages nearby, but not “in the neighborhood” will have additional activities – look out for information on any particular town you wish to visit; and when you are in Provence, look for advertisements posted around the village about activities in neighboring villages.
Please Note 2:  Although this page started as the Top Ten Festivals, it was difficult to limit it to ten - All of the festivals and activities below are thoroghly enjoyable.

    In addition to the activities listed below, cooking classes are available throughout the season at Les Abeilles (www.abeilles-sablet.com)   and wine tours are available at Wine Uncovered ( http://www.wine-uncovered.com/ ) right in the village.   As you travel around the area you will see posters on sign posts and in shop windows advertising a variety of events also taking place during this time.

 
SPRING

AVIGNON MOTOR FESTIVAL  March/April  Avignon
www.avignon-motor-festival.com

 

PRINTEMPS BAROQUE
April in Vaison-la-Romaine
Theatrical and musical shows, Commedia dell’Arte, vocal and instrumental
concerts from, 17^th and 18^th century Italian Operas.
www.vaison-la-romaine.com

 

 

ANTIQUES MARKET
May 1^st Sablet
May 1^st is La Fete du Travail” or Labor Day in France.  It is also La Fete du Muguet when it is customary to give loved ones a bouquet of Muguets (Lily of the Valley) for good luck and to celebrate the beginning of Spring. The annual Antiques Market brings an atmosphere of spring festivity with the whole village taking part in hosting visitors.

 

  

MARCHE AUX FLEURS
May in Richeranches
Look for the advertisements for the annual Flower Market which takes place on a Sunday. The whole town is decorated with flowers, plant and flower stalls.

  

  

LES FLORAISONS MUSICALS (MUSICAL BLOOMING)
May and June – Chateauneuf du Pape, Venasque and Valreas

International music festival.
Chateauneuf du Pape Tourism Office
Tel. 33 (0)4 90 83 71 08

  

FESTIVAL DE JAZZ EN LUBERON
May in Sault, Goult, St. Saturnin les Apt,

Cavaillon, Roussillon, Saignon, Bonnieux

From 6pm until late in the evening, in streets, squares and cafes you can enjoy jazz.
 www.jazzluberon.net


LA VALSE DES AS
May in Valreas
This festival of waltz and dance has approx 50 free street performances.        www.ot-valreas.info

 

ANTIQUES MARKET – ISLE SUR LA SORGUE
Easter in Isle sur la Sorgue. 
This market boasts over 500 exhibitors spread across town.  After Easter it continues every Sunday on a smaller scale (approx 300 exhibitors).
www.oti-delasorgue.fr

 

SUMMER

 

FESTIVAL D’AVIGNON  (THEATRE AND FILM FESTIVAL)
July in Avignon
This is one of the oldest and most famous theatre festivals in the world, taking place every year since 1947 during three weeks in July.
www.festival-avignon.com

 

NAUTICAL PARADE
July in Isle sur la Sorgue
Held at night time, during the closing ceremonies to the Festival de la Sorgue, this nautical parade features a battle of flowers and decorated floats, lighting up the river.
www.oti-delasorgue.fr

  

THE ESTIVALS IN CARPENTRAS
July in Carpentras
This summer festival known as the “Estivals” features performances of music, dance and theatre.  This is a leading summer event in the Comtat Venaissin featuring well known artists.
www.ville-carpentras.fr

 

THE CHOREGIES D’ORANGE
July and August in Orange
Dating back to 1869, the famous Choral Festival takes place in the magnificent and impressive setting of Roman theatre in Orange.  Performances are given by famous names in opera and symphonic music and draw music lovers from far and wide.
www.choregies.asso.fr

  

FESTIVAL IN VAISON LA ROMAINE
July in Vaison la Romaine
This festival has been taking place for 70 years in the Roman theatre.  Recently, there has been an emphasis on dance with performances by many and varied companies.
www.vaison-festival.com


INTERNATIONAL STRING QUARTET FETIVAL
July to September – Fontaine de Vaucluse, Roussillon, Goult, Isle sur la Sorgue, Cabrieres d’Avignon
Throughout the summer, a series of wonderful concerts in beautiful venues.
 

 
MEDIEVAL MARKET
1^st Sunday in July – Mornas
On this day each year for the past 12years, Mornas has stepped back to a time when valiant warriors, knights, minstrels and troubadours, gentle ladies and maids take over the town.  The town is decorated – tents are raised – refreshments are served under the shade of plane trees.

   

THEATRE AND MUSIC IN THE PAPAL ENCLAVE
Late July – mid August – Valreas,  Richeranches, Grillon, Visan
Varied program featuring theatre, music and visual www.ot-valreas.info

    

SUMMER EVENINGS IN GORDES
First two weeks August – Gordes
Music and theatre in a special venue – great artists in beautiful surroundings. 

 

JOURNEES DU LIVRES (BOOK FESTIVAL)
Third weekend in July – Sablet
Twenty years old – this festival brings together over 100 writers to present their books.  Wine is a big part of the festivities and fun.

 

 MUSIC IN THE VINEYARDS
July – August    Ste Cecile les Vignes, Bollene, Cairanne, Jonquieres, Camaret, Vaison la Romaine, Seguret, Gigondas
High quality concerts and recitals during the long summer nights in a famous wine-making villages.  Wine tasting at the end of the performances.

 

FERIA OF THE FOUNTAINS
July – Pernes les Fontaines
Equestrian Gala and Spanish-Camargue Bullfight shows – this “Feria” features lots of activities and entertainment, abrivado, Sevillane and Flamenco dance, pena, bandas and a magnificent parade of horses on Sunday.
www.ville-pernes-les-fontaines.fr

 

THE NIGHT OF LEGENDS
August – Pernes les Fontaines
Starting at 9pm the audience is guided through the streets of the village by torchlight.  On a small square near  the old washing fountain, storytellers tell stories and legends, framed in the beautiful doorway of an old village mansion.  As midnight comes around, street performances continue the evening, after which everyone gathers on the bankds of the Nesque River for Pistou Soup.  Reservations required.
www.ville-pernes-les-fontaines.fr

 

TRETEAUX DE NYMPHEE
August – Vaison la Romaine
Shakespearian theatre festival.
www.vaison-la-romaine.com

THE GRAPE RIPENING FESTIVAL
August in Chateauneuf du Pape
The village goes back in time to the Middle Ages. In the evening, as night falls, a grand medieval banquet is served by candlelight under big tents embellished with the pontifical coat of arms.
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/ot-chato9-pape

 

FALL

PARCOURS DE L’ART
October in Avignon
An Art Show – exhibited throughout the entire city, showing works by contemporary artists (painting, sculpture, photo, video etc.)
Espace Gaillanne
www.parcoursdelart.com

 

INTERNATIONAL MIND GAMES TOURNAMENT
October – November in Avignon
Bridge, Scrabble, Chess, Go, Pyramid, Checkers and other board games. Fifteen hundred participants throughout Europe compete over several days.

  

CINAMBULE – FESTIVAL OF SHORT FILMS
November in Cabrieres d’Avignon

 

AUTUMN ORGAN FESTIVAL
November in Avignon
A series of concerts and recitals in the temples, chapels and churches of the City.

 

AMATEUR THEATRE FESTIVAL “LES DYONISIES”
November in Pertuis

  

FETE DU LIVRE DE LA BANDE DESSINEE
November in Pertuis
Festival of Cartoon books.
Here there are readings, literary cafes, conferences, signings and other events which bring the audience,  the works, and the authors together.
Maison de la Culture.