Le journal des Gîtes de Bel-Air · Vaucluse N° 44 — 1 March 2024 – 31 March 2024

L’Écho de Bel-Air

Édito

Winter is still here, and so is the snow, and that's just as well for the ski resorts. We are preparing for the arrival of holidaymakers at the end of March.
In 2024, spring will begin on Wednesday 20 March with the spring equinox and will end on Thursday 2 June with the summer solstice. The equinox is the time of year when the sun is at its zenith at the Earth’s equator; the Earth is then at a right angle to the sun’s rays.
Day and night then have the same duration.

CONTINUATION OF THE EDITORIAL – PRINCIPLES OF THE SOLSTICES

The solstice is the time of year when the sun’s rays strike the Earth at the steepest angle. The summer solstice marks 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 increasing sunshine. According to data from Météo-France, the average temperature between 1 March and 31 May is 11.6°C and the average rainfall is 230 mm.

A favourite tourist spot

SAINT-MICHEL ABBEY IN FRIGOLET

The place takes its name from the thyme («ferigoulo» in Provençal) that grows in abundance on the surrounding hills. As early as 1133, Le Frigolet – which was then still regarded as 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 the White Canons because of the colour of their religious habit. Come and discover this abbey, nestled in the heart of Provence and listed as a historic monument in France.

The painted and gilded chancel of Frigolet Abbey Church

Illustrated map of Saint-Michel Abbey in Frigolet

Vintage poster for Frigolet liqueur, Father Gaucher’s elixir

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 making liqueurs. The first of these was the ‘Norbertine’, developed by Brother Callixte Gastinel. It was launched in 1860.
This is the very elixir made famous by Alphonse Daudet’s short story, written in 1866. It is the abbey’s oldest liqueur, developed during the abbacy of Father Edmond Boulbon, founder of the Premonstratensians at Frigolet. An initial expulsion in 1880 forced the monks to sell the licence to the Inisan distillery in Châteaurenard, which has been responsible for its production and marketing since 1883. This liqueur has an alcohol content of 40° and 600 hectolitres are produced each year.

THE BEST DEAL 2024 – DEPARTING FROM THE BEL-AIR HOLIDAY COTTAGES

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.

An orange electric bike parked outside the Gîtes de Bel-Air

A couple of walkers with walking sticks on a path through the vineyards

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 explore the villages of TAILLADES, SAUMANE DE VAUCLUSE, OPPEDE LE VIEUX, GOULT / LUMIERS, MAUBEC, GORDES and CABRIERES D’AVIGNON, I recommend the website Terra Rando: walks and discoveries.
In our holiday cottages, you’ll find a printed copy to help guide you, or a digital version with a QR code for the tech-savvy!
Beware of the white zones in the Luberon, and regulated access from 1 July to 15 September.