Le journal des Gîtes de Bel-Air · Vaucluse N° 47 — 1 August 2024 – 31 August 2024
L’Écho de Bel-Air
L'Echo de Bel-Air n°47
Édito
The 2024 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, will take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024 in Paris, France. The city was officially awarded the Games at the 131st IOC Session in Lima, Peru, on 13 September 2017. EMMA and I went to watch the Olympic torch relay pass through L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. We wanted to make the most of this historic moment, which won’t happen again any time soon.
Well placed, we were able to witness a torch relay.
But before that, the group consisted of Stéphane, our eldest son; Alain LEPORI, our friend; Emma and Jean-Claude; and Jacky, who joined us once we were there...
PARIS 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES
The expedition set off from the Bel-Air gîtes and reached L'Isle sur la Sorgue by road bike. We couldn't pass up the chance to have a picnic on the banks of the Sorgue, particularly at the "partages des eaux".
This is a must-do tour with a choice of two extensions, route 10 or route 36, as part of your holiday, with your own bikes or our hire bikes.
Jean-Claude will be able to advise you on the best way to organise the day, from choosing bikes and restaurants to simply asking our regular bakers to make you a picnic.
A favourite tourist spot
ISLE SUR LA SORGUE
Every year (this year on 3 August) on the Caisse d'Épargne lake, come and watch the unique floating market at L'Isle sur la Sorgue. Aboard the «Nègo Chin», merchants dressed in their finest traditional garb glide from one bank to the other at the call of the public. They offer a farandole of colours and scents: fruit and vegetables, bouquets of flowers, cheese, wine, bread...
At around 1pm, when the floating market comes to an end, the traders gather in a line and sing the famous «Coupo Santo» celebrating Provence.
What is the Nego Chin? It's the traditional flat-bottomed boat used by the fishermen of the Sorgue; Nego Chin can be translated as ‘drowning dog». You need a lot of skill to manoeuvre them, which is why these races are so impressive!
Thursday 15 August
10.30am: Adult relay race
Departure Frédéric Mistral
Saturday 17 August
6pm: Mixed race
Sunday 25 August
10am: Children's race
Departure / Arrival at the Caisse d'épargne
11am: Adult races
Start / Finish at the Bassin (2 laps)
Where can I park?
Make sure you use the car parks on the outskirts of the city! Parking Grand Sud, Parking Muscadelle and Parking Palerme. It takes around 15 minutes to walk to the city centre.
THE BEST OF 2024 FROM THE GÎTES DE BEL-AIR
The Bel-Air gîtes enjoy an exceptional location. Located in the commune of TAILLADES, a small village of 2,000 inhabitants, it is 3 km from exit 25 of the A7 motorway. It is at the epicentre of 3 Regional Nature Parks.
THE LUBERON REGIONAL NATURE PARK
It covers 185,000 hectares, spread over 78 communes: 52 communes in Vaucluse and 26 communes in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
MONT VENTOUX REGIONAL NATURE PARK
37 municipalities and 5 intercommunal bodies whose territory is wholly or partly included in the Park:
- Ventoux Comtat Venaissin conurbation community
- Vaison Ventoux Community of Communes
- Community of communes Ventoux Sud
- Greater Avignon Conurbation Community
- Community of communes of Sorgues du Comtat
THE ALPILLES REGIONAL NATURE PARK
Located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, it is one of the most beautiful areas in France. This region comprises the Alpilles limestone massif, as well as the 16 municipalities that border it, including the charming town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and the village of Les Baux-de-Provence.