CONTINUED FROM EDITORIAL - PRINCIPLES OF SOLTICES
The solstice is the time of year when the sun's rays hit the Earth at their steepest angle. The summer solstice represents the longest day, and the winter solstice the shortest.
From a meteorological point of view, this season is characterised by rising temperatures, longer days and more sunshine. According to data from météo France, the average temperature between 1 March and 31 May is 11.6° Celsius and rainfall 230 mm.
TOURIST FAVOURITE - SAINT-MICHEL DE FRIGOLET ABBEY
The place owes its name to the thyme («ferigoulo» in Provençal) that grows in the surrounding hills. As early as 1133, Frigolet, which was still considered a simple priory, became home to the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, a Catholic order founded in the early 12th century. The members of this community are also known as Chanoines blancs (White Canons) because of the colour of their religious dress. Discover this abbey, nestled in the heart of Provence and listed as a French historic monument.
Authentique Liqueur Frigolet, the elixir of Reverend Father Gaucher from the Abbey of Saint Michel de Frigolet.
Shortly after 1858, the Premonstratensians of Frigolet began producing wine and liqueurs. The first was Norbertine, developed by Brother Callixte Gastinel. It was launched on the market in 1860.
This is the true elixir made famous by Alphonse Daudet's tale, written in 1866. It is the abbey's oldest liqueur, developed under the abbatiate of Father Edmond Boulbon, founder of the Premonstratensians at Frigolet. A first expulsion in 1880 forced the monks to sell their patent to the Inisan distillery in Châteaurenard, which has been producing and marketing it since 1883. The liqueur is 40° proof and 600 hectolitres are produced each year.
LE BON PLAN 2024 - DEPARTING FROM THE GITES DE BEL-AIR
Preparing your visit to the Bel-Air gîtes couldn't be easier. Whether by bike or on foot, Mireille and Jean-Claude will be happy to advise you.
By bike
Geovélo offers a tool for creating cycle routes on its site or on the Web. Having used it myself, I really liked the GPS version once I'd taken the time to set up the parameters properly. Carry a spare battery because the application needs power.
On foot
To discover the villages of TAILLADES, SAUMANE DE VAUCLUSE, OPPEDE LE VIEUX, GOULT /LUMIERS, MAUBEC, GORDES, CABRIERES D'AVIGNON, a site I recommend Terra Rando randonnées et découvertes.
You'll find the paper version in our gîtes to guide you, or the digital version with the QR Code for the trendy ones!
Beware of the white zones in the Luberon, and regulated access from 1 July to 15 September.