Go to These Local Towns and Take An Alternative Route in The South of France

Bonnieux is often called Benniu Village, and has become famous because of the British writer Peter Meyer, who repeatedly mentioned it in his book “A Year in Provence”. There are not many tourists there, and you can stand on the heights of the hills and overlook the beautiful valleys and plains of Luberon. It is also one of the most affluent towns in Provence. It's recommended that you eat at the nice Michelin restaurant there. Bonnieux is close to Roussillon and Gordes. Traveling by car is recommended. Looking at Bonnieux in the distance, the tip of the old church at the top is particularly eye-catching. It is recommended that you come to the town to eat at the 2-star Michelin restaurant (Edouard Loubet), and then leave by car as the sun sets so that you can enjoy the most beautiful scenery that the town has to offer.

L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a small town in the south of France, and is a half-hour drive from Avignon. It is called "Little Venice" in Provence, as there are bridges and clear springs everywhere. You can also see ancient waterwheels that are still in use. The town has a grand antique market every Sunday which ends at noon. Remember to leave early in Avignon. The town has 7 “large antique markets” and more than 250 antique shops. If you like shopping in small shops, you may find that you can’t complete your tour in just one day. In addition to the markets and antique shops, there are also many jam shops, candy shops, and tea shops. You can go shopping and pick up some souvenirs there.

Orange is located 20 km north of Avignon. The Roman theaters and the Arc de Triomphe are listed on the World Heritage List. The most eye-catching place is the Théatre Antique. which was built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus and is one of the best preserved relics of the Roman Empire in France. The theater is still a place where operas and concerts are performed. The Arc de Triomphe, located in the north of the city, was built to commemorate the ancient Roman general, Caesar, and was built in the 1st century BC. It was the gate that guarded Orange. There are exquisite reliefs on the Arc de Triomphe, depicting Caesar's battle with the Roman Legion.

Lebow is also known as Les Baux-de-Provence. It is located 30km south of Avignon and about 25km from Arles. It is an exquisite mountain town in the south of France. The town is listed as a three-star tourist attraction. It's most eye-catching feature is the Chateau des Baux on top of the hill. It had long served as a solid bastion in the Provence region against southern invaders. The entire town is made up of pedestrian walkways. Walking to the top of the mountain will bring you to the "Three Kingdoms" of the Middle Ages. There are giant weapons such as catapults left over from previous wars. The battlefield under the mountain has now become a green grape field. The history museum, Musée d'Histoire des Baux, is at the entrance to the town. There is a collection of historical items and artifacts from the castle's heyday there

The Moustier-Sainte-Marie is built on the uphill slopes of a limestone hill, a starting point for visiting the Verdon Gorge and the Holy Cross Lake. It is about 150km from Marseille and Avignon. It is known as "Jingde town in France". The local ceramic industry is very famous here, especially the local Faïence, which is a type of ceramic made with colored glaze. Here you can visit the pottery museum in the town or go shopping in a boutique full of products with novel designs. When you reach the foot of the mountain, you can see a golden star hanging between the cliffs on either side. This striking golden star is a symbol of the town, commemorating the soldiers who were involved in the Crusade.

Manosque is the birthplace of the L'Occitane brand, and is about 20km from the lavender field of Valentole. The L'Occitane Museum and factory store (Boutique Musée L'Occitane) next to the town's highway is well worth a visit. The factory store is the largest physical L'Occitane store in France, with all the brand's products and a 10% discount on all of them. If you have time, you can visit the factory here, but you need to book a time slot in advance. Inside, you can see how the products are made and how the raw materials are prepared.