Cavaillon Provence-Beyond (Beyond the French Riviera) ® Vaucluse (84300) Population: 23,100 Altitude: 75 m Nearby: [ Arles 42 km | Avignon 23 | Carpentras 27 | Gordes | Fontaine-de-Vaucluse | l'Isle/Sorgue | Ménerbes | Orange 46 | Pernes-les-Fontaines 19 | Robion 6 | St. Rémy | le Thor 13 ] [ Alpilles | Luberon ] Photos: A closer view of the 1st-century Roman arches (24k) Below: [ History | Dates, Numbers | Gastronomy | Museums | Swimming | Cycling | Hiking | Lodging | Reader's Comments ] This is a town of over 23,000 people, not very picturesque at first view. If you're just passing through, you'll have a poor impression unless you stop and give the town a chance. The center of Cavaillon is west of the main road, towards the high cliffs that look down on the town. The Cours Bournissac that takes you to the center is wide, and bordered by nice looking buildings and shops. You're bound to find a large merry-go-round or other attraction in the middle of the "Cours", and the town people wandering here with the typical Provencal relaxation. At the end of the Cours Bournissac, below the cliffs, are the Roman Arches (photo above) and the Office de Tourisme. There are some pedestrian streets in the old part of town, along side the Cours Bournissac. If you walk up some of the streets going off the Cours Gambetta, such as the Rue Pomme d'Or, you can see the 12th-century Canal St Julien still carrying water through the center of the town. You can climb up to Mont St. Jacques, at the top of the cliffs, using the 16th-century steps carved out of the solid rock. At the top is the 11th-century Chapelle St. Jacques, the ruins of the ancient village, and a splendid view of the town below. Name Early Roman: Cabellion; Pagus Cavellicus 13th century: Cavallo History Prehistoric: cave dwellings in the Baume des Enfers and the large grotto of Vidauque. Celtic-Ligurian: artifacts of several Ligurian and Gaulois settlements, including the Celtic-Ligurian Cavares' oppidum at Mont St. Jacques. Roman: an established pre-Roman town, continued and expanded by the Romans. Some of the artifacts include statues and a small 1st-century Arc de Triomphe. The Roman road Domitienne Way (Voie Domitienne) passed through two arches that still stand. Medieval: Cavaillon belonged to the Kingdom of Arles and the Marquis de Provence. The town was ruled by bishops, including St. Veranus in the 6th century and Philippe de Cabassole in the 14th century. In the 12th century, Cavaillon was involved in the Albigeois crusades. Dates, Numbers Regional Market (marché forain): Monday Market day: daily Fête communale: 1st Monday Sept. Fête for Ascension and St. Gilles: Foire: 1st Sunday May, Sept. Autumn Foire: 10-13 Nov (St. Véran) Office de Tourisme - Office de Tourisme Tel: (33) 04 90 71 32 01; Fax: (33) 04 90 71 42 99 79, Rue Saunerie Gastronomy We tried a restaurant called a "Pizzeria", and were pleasantly surprised. In fact, this is one restaurant that's worth a visit to the town just to eat here. We just walked in (in March), but were lucky to get a table; it's best to reserve. They do have pizzas, and all their food is cooked on a wood fire, and is outstanding. The service is friendly and very fast (but they're not up to Anglo-Saxon standards of getting you the bill or taking your money). We took the 115 F menus, with seafood selections. (A Beyond reader also had a good experience here; see Reader's Comments below.) For a starter, the Timbale de Rouget sauce Crustacés was fabulous. A delicious rouget mousse was surrounded by samples of seafood. Too bad the place was too crowded and busy for us to comfortably take pictures. The Darne de Saumon Grillée Sauce à l'Huile d'Olive Vierge (grilled salmon with virgin-olive-oil sauce) was simply an excellent salmon with rice. The Panaché de Poisson en Papillote aux Epinards was a selection of fish, steam-cooked in foil on the wood fire, with spinach (epinards) and other vegetables. The white wines were a bit expensive, so we took the local Beaumes-de-Venise, a red wine that's excellent with fish. The Tiramisou is an regional Niçoise-Italian dessert, with the added touch of powdered chocolate sprinkled liberally across the top. Restaurant "Le Cours" 50, Cours Gambetta 84300 Cavaillon Tel-Fax: (33) 490 71 93 93 Museums The Judeo-Comtadin Museum is located next to a beautiful 18th-century synagogue. The museum, installed in what was the old bakery, contains relics of the original 14th-century synagogue. Open: all year The Archaeological Museum is in an old hospital building and chapel. Many of the items on display are 1st and 2nd-century objects from the ancient village on Mont St. Jacques. Musée de l'Hôtel Dieu La Porte d'Avignon Open: all year Swimming Pools (Piscines) Piscine Alphonse Roudier, covered (couvert) Open: all year Piscine de Plein Air (open air) Open: end May to mid Sept Transportation Bus (Autocar) Gare Routière Tel: (33) 490 78 32 39 Bus information is given the Travel-Bus page. Cycling The Luberon en Vélo cycling path runs 100 km between Cavaillon, Apt and Forcalquier. See also Cycling-Shops. Camping Rock Climbing Hiking Maps: IGN "bleue" (1:25,000) 3042 est "Noves" (west of Cavaillon) IGN "bleue" (1:25,000) 3142 OT "Cavaillon" (east of Cavaillon) IGN "verte" (1:100,000) #66 "Avignon, Montpellier" The GR6 (Grande Randonnée) passes through Robion, about 6 km east of Cavaillon, for some great hiking into the Luberon mountains. Lodging [The Beyond lodging list] There's an excellent 2-star hotel in the center of town, on the Place Tourel by the Office de Tourisme. It's quietly away from the main traffic streets, very nicely decorated, has good friendly service, and reasonable: our room was 250 F, with prices unvarying year-round, and they have a locked garage for your car (24 F) or bicycles. Hôtel du Parc 183, Place F. Tourel (Place du Clos) 84300 Cavaillon Tel: (33) 490 71 57 78; Fax: (33) 490 76 10 35 Reader's Comments These comments were contributed by Candace Andrews, 12 Mar 1999: ... my mother and I "discovered" Cavaillon last June. We enjoyed three nights at the delightful Hotel du Parc and a delicious meal at Le Club (the pizzeria you recommend). We found other charming eateries...and recommend Cote Jardin. We travel on limited budgets so this was a bit of a splurge for us. The Cavaillon melons are THE best anywhere! Other Provencal favorites: the Roman ruins at Glanum and Atelier des Cendres at Oppede Le Vieux (probably the next Les Baux!).