The alpilles area

LE PARADOU is a charming and peaceful village in the heart of an area of outstanding beauty. Its narrow streets contain traditional stone-built houses with brightly painted shutters in typical Provencal style. Le Paradou is a glorious example of authentic Provence!

Situated 16 km north east of Arles and 30 km south of Avignon, it is on the southern side of the Alpilles, the rocky foothills of the Luberon mountain range, in an area recently designated a 'Parc Regional Naturel'. While the landscape is sometimes described as the 'Tuscany' of France because of its olive groves and cypresses, the area is in fact passionate about its Provencal traditions.

The colourful, Provencal culture is proudly celebrated in each village in the area, especially a devotion to 'abrivado', where Camargue horsemen (gardians) gallop bulls through the streets while some of the more reckless villagers might try to outrun them. Most villages have their own bull rings for 'courses camarguaises', where men compete to remove ribbons from bulls' horns (the bulls aren't harmed).

Ideally situated between Avignon and Arles, there are numerous places of historical and cultural interest that are worth a visit. AVIGNON was the seat of the Popes in the 14th Century and the impressive Palais des Papes sits beside the Rhone and its famous Pont d'Avignon. The famous festival takes place each August, with music, plays and street entertainment taking place all over the town. There are many excellent galleries. ARLES retains strong connections with Van Gogh, a splendid Roman arena and a charming old town of narrow streets. It is also the gateway to the Camargue.

ST REMY DE PROVENCE is 15 minutes away and is the perfect place to people watch from one of its many restaurants and cafes in its chic, tree-lined boulevards. It is a magnet for artists and there are numerous galleries and craft shops. On the outskirts is the archeological site of Glanum, once an important Roman town.

The fortified village of LES BAUX DE PROVENCE, classed as one of France's most beautiful villages, perches on the top of a rocky outcrop. Minutes from Le Paradou, it enjoys views as far as Marseille. The unusual Cathedrale des Images is an impressive spectacle, with music accompanying the projection of images on the immense walls of a cavern cut in the rocks at the time that Bauxite was mined there.

Neighbouring MAUSSANE-LES-ALPILLES, walking distance at only 2km away, is a lively village with many restaurants, bars and shops. It is renowned as the biggest olive growing area in France with a fine reputation for the olive oil produced in the area's olive mills. Local village markets are full of colour and interest and the large Saturday market in Arles is particularly worth a visit.