Location
We are located close to the major attractions of the Provence:
- Southern Côtes du Rhône wine region: 0 min.
- Orange: 15 min.
- Vaison la Romaine: 15 min.
- l'Isle sur la Sorgue: 25 min.
- Avignon: 30 min.
- Pont du Gard: 35 min.
- Ardèche Gorges: 35 min.
- Nimes: 45 min.
- St.Remy de Provence: 45 min.
- Luberon: 45 min.
- Aix en Provence: 60 min.
- Arles: 60 min.
- Marseille: 90 min.
The Village:
Cairanne is located halfway between Orange and Vaison la Romaine in the Northern Provence. It consists of two distinct parts, the "Vieux Village", the old village (pop. 80) on top of the hill and the village proper below (pop. 850). It is located at the Southern Côte du Rhône wine route.
Strolling through the streets in the Western part of Cairanne you'll walk past the village square, the Mairie and the many village houses. Up the hill on the North side of Cairanne, you will marvel as you discover the old village. Most of the buildings here are from the 18th century except the old ramparts which date back to the 12th century when first the Knights of Templar and then the Knights Hospitalers lived here. For more on Cairanne and its history click here.
There are a number of village stores (bakery, grocery, butcher, stationary store), post office, two cafes and one restaurant within 5 minutes walking distance from the property. More extensive shopping is available in Ste.Cécile les Vignes 3,5 km from Cairanne. Vaison la Romaine has large supermarkets and an array of specialty stores. And don't forget the numerous wineries in and around Cairanne. We are close to three of the best Provençal markets, Vaison la Romaine (15min.), Carpentras (15min.) and l'Isle sur la Sorgue (25min.). We have lots of information about shops, markets, restaurants and wineries in our visitor's folder.
The Region:
The region has many cultural attractions, from the well known summer festivals of Avignon, Vaison la Romaine, Orange and Aix en Provence to the bullfights in the Roman arenas of Arles and Nimes. We are only 30 minutes from the famous Pont du Gard and the Ard&egarve;che Gorges. But there are also many lesser known yet very charming goings on in the smaller historic towns and villages. Have you ever heard of Liszt en Provence; a concert series in a winery 15 minutes from Cairanne? Jazz festivals, choir festivals, writers' symposiums...... the Provence is truly one of Europe's premier vacation and cultural regions, spring, summer and autumn. But you will always find a quiet spot to rest and reflect. For more information on the region click here.
How to get to Cairanne:
Closest airports are Marseille, Nimes, Nice (2 1/2 hours) and Lyon (2 hours). From the US British Airways with a change of planes in London is always a good bet in terms of availability and price. Check Marseille, Nice and Lyon for best BA prices and availability. From within Europe check the discount airlines Ryanair, EasyJet and Brussels Airlines for flights to Marseille, Nimes, Montpelier and Nice. Flybe offers low cost flights from Exeter and Southampton to Avignon from March/April to October.
TGV high speed trains stop in Avignon. They take roughly 2 1/2 hours from Paris and about 5 1/2 hours from London. Worth the experience, wonderful!
The A7 "Autoroute du Soleil" runs 15 min. West of us from Lyon to Marseille.
We will e-mail you detailed directions to the house 3 weeks before arrival date.