As iconic to France as the baguette and beret, Nationale Sept is akin to American’s Route 66 – a well-travelled road by locals with historical roots dating back to the Romans. The Romans are said to have created a route between Paris and Rome via Lyon, which was then the capital of the Gauls, running along the Mediterranean coast. Aptly named Route des Vacances, the road is iconic simply because it offers a weekend escape for Parisians to the South of France, and to this day is the main road taken by city-dwellers looking for sun and sand on weekends.
There is nothing more French than jumping into your car and heading straight for the South of France. While jetsetters will head directly for coastal towns like Antibes, travellers looking for understated luxury will stop in Provence.
Provence needs no introduction and is frequented by tourists who stream in by the busload, but for people who look for authentic travel experiences rather than jumping from cellar door to cellar door, there are pockets of surprises to be enjoyed – at your own pace. Like most of France, food and wine play a big part in the region’s overall experiences and so here are three destinations to visit for the ultimate gastronome experience in Provence and surrounding regions, without the gun-ho touristy vibe you find in Avignon.
Château Mont Redon
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from France’s Rhone Valley, has always been in the shadow of bigger names like Bordeaux and Burgundy, but if you have an affinity for seeking out fine wines, the premier wine region located in Provence is worth visiting for their aromas and flavours, reminiscent of a stroll in your favourite Provencal farmers’ market. There are 13 different grape varieties authorised in producing wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with Grenache noir the main grape variety and further balanced out with Syrah and Cinsault to produce a great red for every occasion. With more than 300 wine growers in the region, Chateau Mont-Redon is the one to visit with their 100-year anniversary this year – celebrating history, legacy and longevity through great sips of wines on a family-run estate. The Fabre-Abeille family are a multi-generation wine-producing family with two cousins, Pierre and Aurelie, now leading the charge. Reds are their strong point with Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Plateau symbolising the very best caviar of grapes used to make Mont-Redons signature fine wines. Recent acquisitions by Mont Redon include Domaine de L’Oratoire St. Martian which has allowed Pierre to reimagine his family estate into a more sustainable and organic direction.
Chem. de Maucoil, 84230 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France
Nearby: Visit Courthezon mediaeval town which dates back to 6000BC and is one of the oldest peasant villages in Europe or take a short trip to Orange to view old-world Roman architectural beauties, with less crowds during the lead-up to the summer.