VillaFleury · Montbrun-les-Bains

Surroundings

There are many lovely villages around Mont Ventoux. One of the most beautifully situated is Montbrun-les-Bains, on a hilltop on the east side of the bare mountain.

Within walking distance

Montbrun-les-Bains

Besides its little streets and Provençal houses, the village's trump card is the panoramic view of the rugged landscape. Montbrun is sheltered from the mistral by the surrounding mountains, and at six hundred metres it suffers less from heat waves than villages further south. The village is surrounded by fields, forests and lavender.

Its 400 or so inhabitants are well provided for: a supermarket with an excellent butcher, a bakery, a post office, the tourist office, a bank, a pharmacy, a medical centre and the thermal baths.

In bloom mid-June to late July

Along the lavender fields

A trip along the lavender fields around Montbrun-les-Bains takes you through the rolling hills of the Drôme Provençale and the Plateau d’Albion.

See the lavender route

In the village

Les Thermes

Montbrun-les-Bains has been known as a spa village for centuries. Les Thermes offers two kinds of treatment: for rheumatism and for the airways. The sulphur-rich water comes from the Gipières catchment.

From the door

Mont Ventoux: cycling and views

Whatever the weather, whatever the season, you will meet cyclists on and around Mont Ventoux. From VillaFleury there are countless routes, and you can take on the mountain from every side. Do not miss the Toulourenc valley and the Gorges de la Nesque either.

If you need it, we offer a pick-up and drop-off service for a reasonable charge per kilometre. No bike with you? Good bikes can be hired nearby.

See the 27 cycling routes

27 cycling routes from Montbrun (PDF, 9 MB)

Drop-off and pick-up

Walking through lavender and the Toulourenc valley

Walking among the lavender fields, the scent of a lavender distillery in season, and villages along the way. We highly recommend the walks in the Toulourenc valley, named after the river that is either a torrent or a gentle stream: “toul ou renc”, all or nothing. Such a walk can end in Brantes, higher up.

We can take you to the start of your day's walk and, for a reasonable charge, pick you up again.

See the 10 walks

10 walks around Montbrun-les-Bains (PDF in Dutch, 5 MB)

Almost daily

Provençal markets

Almost every day, usually in the morning, there is a market somewhere in Provence. You will find Provençal products such as tablecloths, honey, vinaigrettes and sausages, and the herbs and vegetables are often displayed like works of art. In high season it is wise to go early.

The Provençal markets… We come here to walk, to stroll, to fill our fridge with healthy and organic produce: fruit and vegetables from the south, olives and olive oil, cheeses and above all Picodon, honey, garlic… What a joy to wander among the colourful stalls and the sweet scents of Provence! Don’t miss this essential part of your holiday!

More about the markets

Market calendar for the Drôme Provençale

Our own tips

Restaurants we know

Provence is renowned for its excellent cuisine. We can speak from personal experience about these restaurants: in Montbrun, La Tentation for a pizza; L’O des Sources at the Château des Gipières; Des Voyageurs, which is cosy and serves good food; and La Clavelière in Saint-Auban-sur-Ouvèze, with its beautiful views; Les Lavandes, with a lovely terrace under the plane trees in Monieux; and in Entrechaux-Saint-Hubert, which has a lovely menu and good food.

Our own weather station

The weather at VillaFleury

VillaFleury has its own weather station. Its readings are online at Weather Underground.

VillaFleury weather station

Avignon TGV 80 km

Getting to VillaFleury

By car on the Route du Soleil (A6, A7). Leave at exit 19 Bollène and drive via Vaison-la-Romaine, Entrechaux and the Toulourenc valley to Montbrun-les-Bains. From Lyon it is about 350 km.

By train: the TGV station in Avignon, 80 km away. By air: Marseille or Nice.

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