Sablet Today

Sablet Village is located approximately 9 Kilometers south of Vaison la Romaine in the heart of the Cote du Rhone Wine Growing Appellation. Winery visits and wine tasting are right at your doorstep – from the the many Sablet Wineries to its well known neighbors such as Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, Vacquyras and Beaumes de Venise with its Muscat – a truly local specialty – and wonderful aperitif or desert wine!

Concerts, theater and film festivals are frequent in Vaison la Romaine, Avignon and Orange – all within a few minutes of Sablet. Antiques shopping (or window shopping) at Isle sur la Sorgue is a special treat in this world famous Antiques center.

Cooking Schools and Cooking classes with Chefs of the caliber of Patricia Wells are only a few minutes away, as are the fragrant and colorful lavender fields which perfume the whole region during the summer months. Within a short distance of SabletHome(s) are towns such as St. Remy de Provence (where Van Gogh spent his last years), Aix en Provence (also known as the Paris of the South), Salon de Provence (home to Nostradamus), Les Baux de Provence (dramatic fortress village), Cassis (beautiful beach town) and Marseilles.

Today, Sablet village has expanded beyond its  “Remparts” and has an active group of “commercants” who provide for the day to day needs of Sabletains, and the residents of the neighboring village of Seguret as well as the many vintners in the area. It has two (wonderful) Boulangeries, one (very helpful) butcher, two grocery stores,  a drug store (Pharmacie), a small Medical Center with resident Doctors and Dentists for emergencies, a bank (with ATM), a Tabac/gift store, and  “press” (where one can buy the local and Parisian daily newspapers, along with the International Herald Tribune). The Cafe des Sprots  makes the best cafe au lait in the world(!),  and there are  two casual dining restaurants and Pizza “to go” in the main square, while a short walk along the “Route de Vaison” takes you to Restaurant Les Abeilles while a few minutes drive (near the main turn off to Sablet), is Restaurant Les Genets. Both Les Abeilles and Les Genets feature indoor and terrace dining, with excellent seasonal menus.  In the village square, the “Bureau du Tourisme” not only has great information about the village, but also the surrounding area as well as samples from all the wineries in Sablet, available for tasting.

Every Thursday morning, the village has a small fresh fish market in the square.  On Friday mornings, Sablet Village now has its own Provencal Market. The major “fete” each year is the book fair or “Journee du Livre” which is held in July. Well known authors from all over France and literary enthusiasts come to the village for this two day event – celebrated in the center of the village with the festivities spreading to many of the wineries where special events are held including music and entertainment. Various other events such as an Antiques Markets, art expositions and a Boules tournament also take place during the spring and summer months.

While off the beaten path, Sablet Village is located within very close proximity to the larger towns of Vaison la Romaine to the north, Carpentras to the south and Orange to the west, with the much larger regional center of Avignon 30mins away. All of these towns have excellent weekly markets, shopping and all facilities, including large supermarkets and many, many excellent restaurants. The summer months also bring many concerts, theatrical events and festivities into these larger towns, set amongst a backdrop of the old Papal Palace in Avignon, the Roman Amphitheatre in Orange or the ancient Roman ruins of Vaison la Romaine. One could easily spend several summers in this region, taking in the sites and activities.