Nestled in the Durance Valley, Cavaillon is a small town within the picturesque landscapes of Parc Natural Regional du Luberon. It has been in existence since at least the Gallo-Roman period, with archaeological findings including a 1st-century triumphal arch. From the 4th century until the 18th-century French Revolution, it served as the seat of the bishops of Cavaillon.
Things to do in Cavaillon
History buffs can visit the Musee Archeologique de l'Hôtel Dieu, which occupies the chapel of an 18th-century hospital. It showcases archaeological discoveries from Cavaillon and the surrounding region that date from prehistory to the Middle Ages. Get up close to Gallo-Greek stelae, funerary chests and 16th-century wall paintings from the Hôtel Dupuy-Montbrun.
Nearby is the Synagogue de Cavaillon, which was built in the 15th century by a group of Comtadin Jews and has been transformed into a museum. Only the turret remains from its original structure, with the synagogue rebuilt in the 1770s. Marvel at the Rococo-style bimah and visit the synagogue’s bakery with its marble kneading table.
On the opposite side of the Durance River is L'Arche de Meo, which is home to around 450 animals from across the globe. At the zoo, you can come face-to-face with colourful macaws, wallabies and alpacas, as well as camels, zebras and peacocks. Kids can let loose in the sprawling playground before refuelling at the on-site snack bar.
Getting around Cavaillon
Cavaillon is around 30 minutes’ drive from Avignon and one hour from Marseille. Marseille Provence Airport is 40 minutes away and has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular trains connect to the Cavaillon railway station and buses travel through the town. The centre of Cavaillon can easily be explored on foot.