Sault & Banon route

Lavender near Banon

Here is a village fastened to the Albion plateau between Montagne de Lure and Mont Ventoux, Banon has kept its historic character and remained natural. Bounded by lavender fields (still green here in the spring), wheat fields and hills, it is faintly aromatic of local aromatic herbs. The village has many bright colors.

 

Paëlla at Banon market

This is a fifteenth century fortified medieval site of old streets lined with sixteenth century residences, ancient doorways, sculptured lintels and gateways.

Of course, there is a market every week, and every village market has Paëlla.

 

Goats near Simiane-la-Rotonde

Many of the entities well remembered in Provence always seem to have a historical link that starts “since Roman times.” So it is with Banon à la feuille (leaf), an unpasteurized cheese made mostly from goat’s milk near Banon village. In size, it is circular and approximately 7 centimeters in diameter and 2½ centimeters high. This cheese is pungent, uncooked, unpressed and consists of a fine soft white pâte. The affinage (roughly, refining) period lasts for two weeks, following which it is dipped in eau de vie (brandy) and wrapped in chestnut leaves that have been softened and sterilized by boiling the leaves in a mixture of water and vinegar. Prior to shipping, the leaf-wrapped rounds are tied with raffia. Banon is at its best when made between spring and autumn (this excludes winter, and cycling isn’t good then either).

 

Simiane-la-Rotonde

The remains of a twelfth century rotunda is all that may be seen today of the château which once belonged to the noble Simiane-Agoult family. Overlooking the village from the top of its hill, this rotunda is like a large round keep with a large arched ceiling. The rotunda has been recently restored and a traditional music festival is held here every summer.

Simiane-la-Rotonde was a prosperous village in the past, and some grand residences can still be seen today. With the sixteenth century covered market place, stalls and boutiques, it is easy to visualize the lively trading that used to go on of this village.

For many years, Simiane was the regional capital of lavender and today remains an important production center.

 

Route map, profile and details of passing interest are in the Sault & Banon route as part of “Provence Luberon & Lavender – a Bicycle Your France guidebook”, May 2011. Dreaming of a cycling vacation/holiday in France? I hope so. Even if you are not planning a trip to France, you may know someone who is, either cycling or motoring. Amazon and iTunes has seven guides of different areas that I crafted.

Provence: Luberon & Lavender: A Bicycle Your France Guidebook – http://www.amazon.com/Provence-Luberon-Lavender-Bicycle-Guidebook/dp/1468096923/