Summary
Located on an eastern spur of the Luberon Range, Cavaillon is a moderately sized Provençal town enveloped in picturesque countryside.
The fertile grounds surrounding the town produce a variety of fresh fruits, notably the acclaimed Cavaillon melon.
Many individuals in France recognize the town primarily through this fruit, which is celebrated with a festival every July.
For centuries, Cavaillon was part of the Comtat Venaissin papal enclave, a region distinguished by its acceptance of Jewish people during medieval times.
The Cavaillon Synagogue, situated in the former Carrière ghetto, holds the title of the oldest synagogue in France.
Visitors will find a manageable selection of attractions in Cavaillon before venturing into the Luberon, known for its stunning river gorges, lavender fields, ochre quarries, and charming perched villages.
Let us examine the most notable attractions in Cavaillon:
1. Cavaillon Synagogue
In medieval times, Jewish individuals expelled from various parts of France by Louis IX and Philip the Fair found refuge in this Papal Enclave.
The Cavaillon Synagogue, dating back to the 1400s, stands as the oldest in France.
The exterior is relatively understated, while the interior features exquisite rococo style elements from the 1700s.
Upstairs, visitors can appreciate delicate gilded plasterwork and wrought iron banisters.
The lower level contains a designated space for women, featuring ovens for baking matzo bread for Passover.
A small museum displays Jewish liturgical items, including scrolls and prayer books.
2. Cavaillon Cathedral
This cathedral was constructed in the 1100s and features a blend of architectural styles due to Cavaillon’s tumultuous history, particularly following its damage during the French Wars of Religion.
The variations are most apparent in the choir, nave, and side chapels, which underwent an elaborate renovation in the 1600s, introducing multicolored marble and gilded woodwork.
The southern cloister is particularly attractive, showcasing construction from various time periods: the west gallery, dating to the 1100s, the north and south galleries from the 1200s, and a uniquely styled south side that was rebuilt after the cathedral was attacked by Protestant forces in 1562.
3. Musée Archéologique de l’Hôtel Dieu
The historic hospital in Cavaillon dates back to 1750 and has served as the town’s archaeological museum since the 1940s.
The museum is operated by the Fondation Calvet, based in Avignon, which manages several museums and historical buildings throughout the region.
It features prehistoric artifacts marking the onset of human habitation, alongside a significant collection of Roman artifacts dating predominantly from 5 BC onwards.
Among these are ceramic oil lamps, marble busts, various epitaphs, a Corinthian column, and Roman glassware.
4. Hôtel d’Agar
Similar to most civic monuments in central Cavaillon, this mansion was constructed atop Roman ruins during the medieval period.
Although the current structure predominantly reflects Baroque influences, a Gothic medieval tower is visible on Passage Vidau.
The mansion reached its zenith in the 17th century under the ownership of Jean d’Agar, a counselor to the Aix Parliament.
Presently, it operates as a showcase, adorned with period art, antique furniture, and an impressive collection of 150 Provençal nativity figurines.
The walled garden enhances its charm, integrating pieces of a Roman aqueduct and 16th-century irrigation channels.
A rich historical narrative unfolds here, highlighted by the discovery in 2010 of 300 Roman silver coins, referred to as the Treasure of Cavaillon.
5. Colline Saint-Jacques
Another appealing aspect of Cavaillon is its proximity to the idyllic Provence countryside, allowing for scenic walking excursions directly from the town center.
The premier local hike involves ascending the steep slopes of this hill, a detached outcrop of the Luberon Massif located to the west of the city.
Generations of Cavaillon’s residents have undertaken this journey to visit the Chapelle Saint-Jacques, where a chapel has stood for over a millennium.
An enchanting garden and an orientation table highlight landmarks throughout the fertile plain below and the Petit Luberon to the east.
6. Via Ferrata de Cavaillon
This climbing course is also accessible from the center of Cavaillon, located on Colline Saint-Jacques.
For those unfamiliar with Via Ferratas, they consist of horizontal climbing routes secured to a cliff face.
Participants traverse the route utilizing rope bridges, ladders, monkey bridges, Tibetan bridges, gangways, and beams.
It features two courses: Via Natura, designed to be family-friendly, offers a scenic traverse along the cliff, while Via Souterrata presents a more challenging experience leading into the cave network of Colline Saint-Jacques.
7. Roman Arch
The purpose of the Roman arch located at Place du Clos remains uncertain.
Nonetheless, it is known that it did not originally occupy this particular location.
In the 19th century, the arch was relocated piece by piece and was previously integrated into Cavaillon’s episcopal palace, which was ultimately sold and demolished following the Revolution.
Regardless of its intended purpose, this arch warrants close inspection to appreciate the intricate carvings adorning nearly every surface.
Assorted rosettes and acanthus leaves embellish the structure, and faint outlines of winged deities can be discerned.
8. Cycling
For those in suitable physical condition, exploring Provence via the “Luberon à Vélo” cycling trail, which stretches over 100 kilometers from Cavaillon to Forcalquier, presents an excellent opportunity.
This route may not suit everyone; however, cyclists can opt to traverse sections or ride to the halfway point in Apt, avoiding main road traffic.
Regardless of the distance traveled, participants will experience the picturesque landscapes of Provence, characterized by garrigue scrub, cedar forests, limestone gorges, ochre ridges, olive groves, and charming perched villages ideal for meals and breaks.
9. Gorges de Régalon
Situated a mere 10 kilometers from Cavaillon, an enchanting canyon lies hidden within the rugged garrigue landscape.
The gorge features steep limestone walls that converge to the point of blocking sunlight, necessitating careful navigation in some areas.
Elsewhere, falling rocks have created suspended formations above the canyon floor, resulting in natural archways.
This humbling natural phenomenon is breathtaking, though it may pose risks during or following heavy rainfall, resulting in occasional closures during inclement weather.
10. Ménerbes
Provence is renowned for its charming hilltop villages, with many accessible from Cavaillon.
Ménerbes, located 15 kilometers away, is
widely regarded as one of the most beautiful villages, not only in this region but throughout France.
Renowned author Marcel Pagnol often featured Ménerbes in his works, and even Pablo Picasso owned a residence here.
The village comprises a few streets and alleys squeezed onto a narrow hilltop, embodying wonderfully rustic stone architecture and remnants of a citadel from the 1500s.
Wandering through Ménerbes, one may be surprised by captivating views of cherry orchards and vineyards.
11. Sentier des Ocres
For an unforgettable excursion into the Luberon, venture toward the ancient ochre quarries near the perched village of Roussillon.
The geology of this striking landscape is over hundreds of millions of years old, with iron oxide imparting vivid pigments to the rocks that were historically mined for paints.
This pigment produces a spectrum of colors, from dark purple to reddish-yellow, creating a breathtaking natural backdrop for walking.
There are two marked trails: one takes approximately 30 minutes and the other an hour, both of which feature information boards detailing the geology and flora of this remarkable setting.
12. Avignon
Located a mere half-hour away, Avignon merits at least a full-day visit.
The city’s significance is amplified by its historical connection to Cavaillon as the seat of medieval popes and antipopes.
The 14th-century Palais des Papes served as the residence and administrative center for these popes, and for nearly 80 years was the heart of Western Christianity.
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is widely recognized as one of the most exquisite Gothic structures globally.
Moreover, do not overlook the Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d’Avignon), an iconic bridge that once spanned the Rhône but was abandoned in the 1600s, leaving behind four arches, a chapel, and two gatehouses.
13. Local Food
The soil in Cavaillon’s countryside is rich and well-irrigated, fostering an abundance of market gardens.
Summer yields surpluses of cherries, pears, and apples.
However, it is the melons that have decisively elevated Cavaillon’s reputation.
This cantaloupe, originally from Armenia, journeyed through Italy and Africa in the medieval period.
In season from June to September, purchasing one at the market is highly recommended.
Vendors generously provide tips on selecting the finest specimens (the heavier, the better!). Melon is frequently featured in local restaurant dishes during this time, served as a starter with cured Bayonne ham, in salads, in tarts, and even as gazpacho.
14. Fête du Melon
Cavaillon’s melon festival, celebrated on the second weekend of July, has now reached its fifth year.
On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, a market showcases producers and artisans from the surrounding region, including numerous esteemed melon cultivators.
As Saturday progresses, the festivities intensify, featuring a melon-themed parade, culinary contests, and open-air stalls manned by most of the local bars, accompanied by live music until the early hours.
The festival reaches a highlight at 22:00, when 100 white Camargue horses are released to gallop through the streets of the city.
15. Lavender
Another key element of Provence’s identity is lavender, which thrives in the vicinity of Cavaillon.
The optimal time to witness this stunning spectacle is around July when the colors are most vibrant, just prior to the lavender harvest in early August.
Simply take a drive eastward and bring your camera.
One of the most enchanting and iconic sights is the Sénanque Abbey in Gordes, approximately 15 kilometers northeast of Cavaillon, where lavender contrasts strikingly with the stark gray walls of this Romanesque medieval church.
