22 - through the Comtat

This itinerary leads you through the County Plain and its varied agricultural landscapes: strawberries, asparagus, vines… Not forgetting a short visit to the historic cities of the Venaissin County, Pernes-les-Fontaines and Carpentras, where cyclists can discover some historical monuments which should not be missed in this area : synagogue, doors, chapels, private mansions …
Leave the “Porte d’Orange” car park and, near the main hall, turn right and go along the bike path which leads you around the town of Carpentras. At the “Hôtel Dieu” and the “Maison de Pays”, near the centre of Carpentras, follow the direction of Saint Didier. At the roundabout, turn left, then turn right at the second roundabout. You will pass by the Carpentras Canal. At the crossroads, go straight on to the "Chemin creux” (Bumpy Path) which lives up to its name! At the crossroads, turn right, alongside the olive trees. Then take the first path on the left.
After the greenhouses, turn right. Then turn left, cross the bridge on the « Chemin de Banay ». Then turn onto the “Chemin Piquey” which climbs slightly into the woods on the left. At the crossroads, go straight on. You will arrive in Mazan. Under the alley of trees, turn right. You will go along the Auzon riverbanks. You can see the former palace of the Marquis de Sade on your left. Cross the bridge on your right which leads you over the Auzon River. At the roundabout, follow the direction of Malemort du Comtat on the main road D163. Keep to your right, onto the "Chemin de Saint Didier." At the ‘Give Way’ sign, on the main road, keep to your left on the « Chemin du Contras ». At the ‘STOP’ sign, turn left onto the “Chemin de Faverand ». At the next crossroads, take the dirt track on the right before going slightly downhill. When you reach the main D5, turn left. Go downhill and turn right onto the "Chemin de Félis” surrounded by oak trees. Then, take the first left and then immediately turn right. At the end of the stony path, which leads past cherry orchards, turn right onto the main D77. You will discover Venasque sitting on the top of its rocky peak. Going downhill, before you reach the ‘STOP’ sign in the distance, take the first right onto the "Chemin des Garrigues". At the ‘STOP’ sign, go across the main D4 road, onto the « Chemin Belle-Croix », and then take the first on your right. You are on the «Chemin Caille-Manet». You will come across a magnificent oak tree, where you continue straight ahead. Near the speed bumps, you can admire one of many painted oratories in Saint Didier. At the ‘STOP’ sign, turn left onto the "Allée de la Gardette". At the next ‘STOP’ sign, on the avenue of trees, turn left. At the washtub and the cross, take the "Chemin du Moulin Vieux". (If you want to wander through Saint Didier, continue straight ahead). After the bridge, take the 2nd path on the right, "Chemin des Terres Mortes". Continue straight ahead. Turn left at the small chapel and the big oak tree on your right. Cross the main D28 road and take the « Chemin des Traversiers ». After the stone wall, take right onto the « Chemin de Landra ». At the bottom of the hill, turn right. At the ‘STOP’ sign, on the main road, turn left. You will arrive in Pernes-les-Fontaines. At the roundabout, go down the avenue of trees on the right. After the fountain, take the first on the left before the bridge, near the Auzon River. At the hall, turn right and cross the famous bridge in the town and continue towards the Place Notre-Dame. Go straight ahead at the traffic lights. Near the signpost at the edge of the town, turn right onto the "Chemin des Bourjules". You pass near the Carpentras Canal, which feeds the many strawberries plantations around you. For the next three following crossroads, turn left. After crossing the Carpentras Canal, turn right onto the « Chemin la Roque-sur-Pernes ». Go straight ahead in the direction of Carpentras. At the ‘Give Way’ sign, turn right. Go around the roundabout to go back to the avenue of trees below the “Maison de Pays”. This car park hosts the famous market every Friday morning. A bike path takes you under the trees towards the traffic lights. From here, you can go back around the town centre and to the car park which you left from.
Connection : Mazan - Mormoiron
In Mazan, from the car park opposite the tourist office, take the path on the left beside the pharmacy. Continue straight ahead until you reach the Chapel Notre-Dame. Turn right onto the "Chemin de la Genestière”. At the ‘STOP’ sign, turn left, then continue straight ahead until you reach Mormoiron.

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