Domaine des Escaravailles is founded in 1953 and owned by Daniel and Giles Ferran. It's a great domaine of 65 acres spread over Rasteau, Cairanne, Roaix, Villedieu and Saint-Roman. The wine is made using traditional methods. Parker has given high marks to the wines. We have personally met the most sympathetic Giles. From our holiday home you see the domaine high against the hills. In our holiday home you will find their wine list.
Here you will find out own top 10 list of places you must see or things you must do. It could be your guide while staying in our holiday home.
You can climb the Mt Ventoux , by car, bicycle and by foot, of which you can see the mountain top wherever you go.
Visit Vaison la Romaine wit its Roman archaeological sites, its Provençal market and the old part of the Roman village.
Enjoy winetasting in one of the many wine estate in the surrounding villages like Gigondas, Rasteau, Beaumes-de-Venise, Châteauneuf du Pape etc.
Admire the villages of Séguret and Brantes which are both situated against the hills. They are seen as two of the most beautiful villages in France.
Enjoy the famous "French kitchen" while having lunch of dinner at tasty restaurants like "La Fleur Bleue" in Crestet or L'Oustalet in Gigondas.
Breathe in the perfumes of the famous Provençal lavender, oleander, thyme and rosemary.
Sample the atmosphere of one of the many Provençal markets.
Go to the refreshing rivers in the surroundings or go for a swim at Lac du Paty and the lake of Mormoiron.
Don't forget to visit Avignon for its culturel richness. You can discover "le Palais du Pape", the famous "Pont d'Avignon" , museums and the many tasty restaurants.
Go for a nice tour by car and don't forget to bring you picnic basket. On the way there are so many nice spots to spread out your picnic cloth and enjoy a nice "lunch with a view".
Around the Mont Ventoux you visit a Provencal market each day of the week. During high season it is wise to arrive before 10 am to be ahead of the biggest crowds. So skip breakfast at home about once and buy a delicious croissant on the market or from a local bakery ....
Jean David makes organic wines with a lot of devotion. He makes his wines in the traditional way with lots of handwork. He annually determines the composition of the wine depending on the circumstances. He makes red, white and rosé wines. Especially the latter we find personally very nice. His beautiful domaine is located just outside Seguret. You will find the colorful signs on the road between the roundabout near Roaix on the way to Séguret.
On his lovely French web site is located at the contact page, a route description. Quartier Le Jas 84110 Seguret 0033 4 90 46 95 02 www.domaine-jean-david.com
This documentary is about a four-yearly competition between the best pastry bakers in France. The winners get the title MOF. MOF stands for Meilleur Ouvrier de France. A presedentiêle recognition for exceptional craftsmanship. The documentary largely follows the preparation and participation of a French pastry baker who has a pastry school in Chicago. You will watch with great admiration the artistic creations of the participants.You can watch the documentary during your stay on the site because it is part of our own DVD library.
In Saumane-de-Vaucluse will find a very nice located and complete 18-hole golf course. A 9-hole fee is from 35 euros and a 18 hole fee from 55 euros (prices 2010). Within the complex are also tennis courts, a restaurant and a swimming pool. The visit can be combined with a visit to L'Isle sur la Sorgue at 3 km away. The golf course is 45 km away from our holiday home.
Visit the website for more info www.provencecountryclub.fr
9 and 18 Hole golf course 5 minutes away from Avignon. 9-Hole weekend green fee 35 euros 30 euros else. 18-Hole weekend green fee 42 euros 55 otherwise (prices 2010). See the website for more information in French. The golf course is 50 km away from our holiday home and is easily combined with a visit to Avignon.
Visit the website for more info www.golfchateaublanc.com
Le Grand Pre in Roaix received a Michelin star in 2006 and is run by Raoul and Flora Reichrath. You can have fabulous food in the restaurant and bistro. Chef Raoul was born in the Netherlands and has cooked at high levels in several countries. Flora is from Mexico and has studied at the wine University of Suze la Rousse.
The restaurant is on the edge of the road from Roaix in the direction of Vaison la Romaine.
The Mont Ventoux is 1912 meters high and visible from everywhere in the Vaucluse. The Latin translation is talking about the mountain where the wind prevails. It can be quit spooky on top of the Mont Ventoux as winds of 250 km per hour have been measured. The mountain is 70 million years ago during the ice age and has an asymmetrical shape. He has a very steep north and south elongated.
This documentary by Jonathan Nossiter is about the globalization of the wine. He takes you on a journey across continents to show how complex the battle for the best wine is. You will find this documentary in video library of our Holiday home Gite Tour du Monde.
We have visited our sympathetic villagers from Domaine les Auzières. They live high on a south slope full of vineyards and olive groves. They see themselves as artisnal that means they make wine the traditional way with a limited edition of 15,000 bottles per year on 6 acres. We believe the solid red organic wines are delicious. They sell a Cote du Rhone Village for 6.5 euros, the Cote du Rhone Roaix for 8 euros and 12 euros for the Reserve. You will find the directions to the domain is our holiday home.
Near our house is a variant of the GR4 (Grand Randonnee) trail. The total distance is over 26 km from Roaix to Cairanne. The route can be divided into a northern passage through the Saint Roman Malegarde and south passage through Rasteau. In our holiday home you will find a description of the trail.
Late August 2010 we became the owner of the farm "ferme a restaurer" just outside the village of Roaix with total area of 2700 m2 (0,67 acre) of which 1000 m2 (0,25 acre) vineyard. The house was already on sale for two years but the owner, had never, whose house was an inheritance, accepted a bid. The architecture is typical for a Provencal farmhouse. It consists of several adjoining areas and is built of stacked stones (en pierre). The most part of the stones are stacked by a mixture of sand and lime. The advantage of lime is that it lets the walls breath. During the creation of the holiday home we tried to preserve accentuate the original architecture as much as possible. Click Read More ... to read more about the renovation and to watch a slideshow.
Restaurant Chez Serge in Carpentras is well known. It is not far from the center parallel to the weekly vide grenier on Sunday. The restaurant is tastefully decorated and you can have lunch starting at 15 euro lunch (prices 2010). The offer a special truffle menu In high season it is wise to book in advance.
Hours 7 days a week from 12:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 90 rue Cottier 84200 Carpentras 04 90 63 21 24
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www.chez-serge.com
One of our favorite French singers is Francis Cabrel's. In 2010 we enjoyed his concert in the ancient theater in Vaison la Romaine. The album L'Essentiel 1977-2007 indicates that he has a long career behind him. The album can be purchased for example at the iTunes store. You will also find music of Francis Cabrel on the iPod in our holiday home.
Just outside of Orange you will find a 9 hole golf course. A green fee for one day costs 35 euros (prices 2010). Opening in the summer from 8:00 - 20:00 and in winter from 9:00 am - 18:00 pm. The golf course is 25 km away from our holiday home and is easily combined with a visit to Orange. For more information visit the website in French and English.
Golf Grand Avignon has 9 and 18 holes. The green fee for nine holes in low season is 35 euros and 35 euros in high season. In low season the 18-hole fee 55 euros in high season and 65 euro (prices 2010). The golf course is 50 km away from our holiday home and is easily combined with a visit to Avignon. For more information check the website in French and English.
Visit the website for more info www.hotelgolfgrandavignon.com
Once every three years (last in 2010) during August the festival Choralies takes place found. Choirs around the world come together here. It is very special to be part of the audience in the magnificent Theatre Antique. A very special experience. Until 2013!
Villedieu means city of god. It is a village 7 km from Vaison la Romaine is. It has an old rampart and a few nice streets. You will find a convenience store where they sell fresh bread every day. The village is famous for its charming terrace with a fountain under the plane trees and a typical French cafe. In the past it has been the residence of Templar. During summertime you can enjoy the atmosphere until late in the evening. The cafe offers simple tasty food, there is a pizzeria and a creperie (thin French pancakes) with surprising fillings. They all use the same terrace. During high season are different culinary theme nights.
In our holiday home you will find this wine course from the BBC DVD by Jancis Robinson. In a very entertaining way she takes you on a journey around the world of wine. She turns out ultimately to be a real fan of French wine.
