Sault

Sault is a tiny, sun-bleached village perched on the edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse in Provence. It's famous for its lavender fields that roll across the landscape in waves of purple, and for being the gateway to the dramatic Gorges de la Nesque. This is a place where time slows down, the air smells of honey and herbs, and the only soundtrack is the drone of cicadas.

Highlights & What to See

• Lavender Fields: From mid-June to mid-July, the hills around Sault explode into colour. The plateau is a patchwork of lavender, wheat and sunflowers – a photographer’s dream. Drive the D943 towards Mont Ventoux for the best views.
• Plateau de Sault: This high-altitude plateau is cooler than the lowlands, meaning the lavender blooms later. It's crisscrossed with walking and cycling trails that offer sweeping panoramas of the surrounding countryside.
• Gorges de la Nesque: A dramatic limestone canyon carved by the Nesque River. The D942 road snakes along the rim, with vertiginous viewpoints like Belvédère de la Nesque. Stop for a picnic amid the oak forests.
• Mont Ventoux: The iconic “Giant of Provence” looms to the west. Cyclists flock here to tackle its legendary slopes, but even if you drive, the summit offers staggering views from the Alps to the Mediterranean.
• Sault Market: Held every Wednesday morning, this is a true Provençal market with local lavender honey, nougat, olives and cheeses. It’s small but authentic, and the perfect place to stock up for a picnic.

Suggested Time to Spend

Base yourself in Sault for at least two nights. Use one full day to explore the lavender fields and plateau on foot or by bike, and another to drive the Gorges de la Nesque and ascend Mont Ventoux. If you’re short on time, a long day trip from Avignon or Carpentras can cover the highlights, but you’ll wish you had more time to soak up the calm.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Vaison-la-Romaine: A historic town with impressive Roman ruins and a medieval hilltop quarter, about 40 minutes west.
• Gordes & the Luberon: Picture-perfect hilltop villages and the ochre cliffs of Roussillon, one hour south.
• Orange & Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Roman theatre and world-class wine country, about an hour west.
• Nyons & the Baronnies: Olive groves and the dramatic Gorges de l’Eygues, 30 minutes north.
• Banon & the Haute-Provence Observatory: The village of Banon is famous for its goat cheese, and the observatory offers stargazing, 45 minutes east.

Please check official sources for current details.