Activities

Accrobranching

Accrobranching is basically ‘Go Ape’ so if you don’t mind heights then this is a great outing for the family. The nearest one to Le Buisson is at Passerelles des Cimes which you will find just outside Fontaine de Vaucluse.  Check accrobranche-vaucluse.com for details.

Art & Wine

Chateau La Coste is 25 miles away near the village of Le Puy-Sainte-Reparade. (chateau-la-coste.com) For lovers of wine, art or both it is an absolute must see. It takes about an hour to get there and the journey itself is one of the most beautiful in the area. The Chateau specialises in outdoor installations and architecture by some of the greatest living artists. There are buildings by Renzo Piano and Frank Gehry and artwork by Andy Goldsworthy, AiWeiWei, Tadao Ando and Louise Bourgeios.

There is a smart restaurant in a spectacular entrance and a lovely outdoor cafe in the older part. A cheaper option would be to bring your own picnic especially if you have kids.  By the way our teenagers really enjoyed it!

If anyone cannot manage steep hills on the long walk around the art works ask for an electric buggy - if disabled or infirm this is free.

Beaches

We have been to La Calanque de Port d’Alon near St Cyr sur Mer which is in the direction of Toulon.  It was very crowded in August but absolutely stunning so worth the effort if you want to go to the beach. It will take up to 2 hours to get there.  There is a café on the small beach but better to bring a picnic and everything you need for the day with you.

We’ve also been told that La Calanque de Sormiou near Marseille is beautiful too.

Climbing

For seriously intrepid adventurers there is Via Ferrata de Cavaillon which looks scary but if you’re not afraid of heights then it may be for you.  It sounds like ‘Go Ape’ on steroids! It’s described as ‘fun solo climbing on a mix of rock and steel rungs with steel cables to clip for safety.’  Go to luberoncoeurdeprovence.com/bouger/la-via-ferrata-de-cavaillon for more details.

Cycling

There is also a nice cycle route from Coustellet (behind Super U) which is on a converted railway track.  It’s called the Calavon Greenway and you can hire bikes in Coustellet at either Absolute Bikes (00 33 (0)4 90 75 05 52) or the one opposite the super market (Super U) which is called Electric Move which has electric bikes for those who don’t fancy the traditional method!  We’ve used these bikes many times and they are great fun. The cycle route begins behind Super U and we’d suggest you try to make it to Pont Julian where you can stop for a picnic by the ancient Roman bridge before returning.  There are no cars to encounter on the route apart from at one quiet roundabout and at each of the cycle crossings where small roads bisect the cycle route. The cycle route also has ditches either side which riders need to be wary of falling into.  At Bonnieux Gare there is a nice little bar which is a great place to stop on the way back for a drink. They also do lunches there too.

Fine Dining at Le Buisson

Our next door neighbour is a fabulous cook and on occasions is able to prepare a meal for guests.  If you have a special occasion maybe and want to enjoy the fabulous setting without cooking yourself then this could be the solution.  We have enjoyed a number of meals that have been prepared for us at Christmas time over the last few years. If you are interested then we can arrange for you to discuss your requirements with her.  She speaks excellent English, French and German and some Italian too.

Football, tennis, boules, badminton, table tennis & volleyball

Half way between Goult and Lumiere is a football pitch and basketball court which we use regularly plus two quality tennis courts.  There are four racquets at the house plus tennis balls for anyone who is keen. If you like football you’ll always bump into others who will join in.

If you are interested in tennis you need to visit the town hall (Mairie) in Goult and purchase a key for the week.  

Meanwhile at Le Buisson you have the lovely pool, a boules court and a table tennis room.  There’s also a badminton net you can set up with racquets and shuttlecocks available. There are also water pistols in the green box behind the pool kitchen which are fun too particularly when it’s really hot.

Indoor Games

Apart from the table tennis room there is also an Xbox plus a games cupboard beside the fireplace stacked with old favourites such as Monopoly, Cluedo, Risk, Connect 4, Jenga, Chess, Draughts, Backgammon and cards.

Kayaking

Also highly recommended is Kayak Vert  (canoevaucluse.com) just outside Fontaine de Vaucluse near the beautiful aqueduct.  Just google them and book a session which is really good fun. Takes about 2 hours.  You’ll find them at Avenue Robert Garcin, 84800 Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, France and you can ring them on +33 4 90 20 35 44.  It’s about 30 to 40 mins away by car.

Farther away and on a grander scale is kayaking on the Gardon river at Pont du Gard.  It’s around an hour away to the west of Avignon and we used this company (canoe-collias.com) who were very good.  It was very busy when we were there in August but it was a great way to spend an afternoon and keep cool.  There are also plenty of little beaches along the river bank to stop and swim.

Ochre Mines

There is a really good undemanding walk around a quite magnificent Ochre mine in Rousillon which we would thoroughly recommend.  2.5 euros per person and takes about an hour. We also visited the Bruoux mines in Gargas which are really atmospheric and ideal when it’s really hot. Visit minesdebruoux.fr for details.