Aurel

Towns and Villages - by Provence Beyond

Villages > Aurel      

Nearby:  | Bédoin 39 km | Javon Chateau 20 km | Malaucène 40 km | Monieux 10 km | Montbrun-les-Bains 8 km | Saint Christol 16 km | Saint Jean-de-Sault 11 km | Sault 5 km | Ventoux Mountain 30 km | Villes-sur-Auzon 27 km |

Below: | Commerce | Dining, Lodging | History | Sports | Hiking | Lodging Hotels |

The village sits in an area of wide valleys full of lavender fields and grain, and low forested hills, with a backdrop of the white-topped Mont Ventoux in the distance. The roads around here are great for scenic driving, and the village is definitely worth a visit.

It's small enough that wandering the village streets doesn't take more than an hour or two, but some of the streets are steep enough to discourage anyone not comfortable walking.

You can walk around the 13th-century chateau and the 12th-century church [Photo-11] at the top of the village, but these ancient sites are privately owned and not open for visits.

There are abundant fountains in the village for thirsty hikers and cyclists. The main one is in the center [Photo-07], beneath a shady tree.

Commerce

Really minimal commerce is available in Aurel, with only one small general store in the center of the village [Photo-08].

Dining, Lodging

One centrally-located Hotel-Bar-Restaurant, the Relais du Mt Ventoux is quite nice, and very popular with cyclists. The shady terrace across the street from the front door is a pleasant place to relax in the afternoon heat.

History

Name
First record, 1178 Castrum Aurelii

Founded in the 11th century by the Knights Hospitalers who built a hospice here. At the end of the 16th century, Aurel was captured by the Baron de Vins, allied with the Count of Sault.

Prehistoric: Prehistoric shelters were found in the nearby rocks.

Sports

Cycling

Mont Ventoux Climb

Aurel is a very popular village for cyclists. The Relais du Mt Ventou café-hotel has a blackboard where local cyclists record their times for the Mont Ventoux climb.

Tour de France

On the route of the 2009 Tour de France, stage 20, Montélimar to Mont Ventoux, via Aurel and Sault.

Hiking

Maps:

IGN (1/25,000) #3240 OT "Bannon, Sault"

Didier Richard (1/50,000) #27 "Ventoux"

There are a fair number of hiking trails through and near Aurel. Most pass through some woodlands, but are largely through open fields, including lavender fields, grain and vineyards. The lavender fields are especially beautiful from the end of June to August, although afternoon hiking is pretty warm then.

It's about a 1-hour hike between Aurel and the north end of Sault on the GR91C (Grande Randonnée), and there's a magnificent view of the perched village when arriving along this trail from the south. [In June 2009 the GR markings were very faded, but the trail is obvious.]

The Aurel - Sault hike can be a loop, by using for the return trip one of two trails southwest of Aurel or the longer loop southeast of Aurel, via the village of Saint Trinit.

Lodging - Hotels

Hotels in Towns Nearby to Aurel

• 16 km — Saint Christol hotels

• 39 km — Bedoin hotels