Rivers to protect

Three rivers nestle in the heart of Vaison Ventoux Provence, adding a touch of freshness and beauty to our landscapes: the Ouvèze, the Aygues and the Toulourenc. Each of these rivers offers a unique charm and an unforgettable experience for visitors and locals alike.

1. Ouvèze

The Ouvèze, a typically Mediterranean river, crosses the Roman bridge at Vaison-la-Romaine. A little further on is an ideal spot for fishing enthusiasts: a trout stream, especially at the start of the season!

A “catch and release” fishing trail stretches for almost a kilometer, starting at the Jardin des 9 Damoiselles. Open all year round, this course allows you to experience the pleasures of fishing, or to share it with your family.

Situated next to Espace Théos, with its picnic area, games and fitness trail, it’s ideally placed to spend some fun, educational time with the kids.

+ More information on the Vaucluse Fishing Federation

No-kill fishing

2. Toulourenc river

The Toulourenc, meaning “all or nothing” in Provençal, is a torrential river on the northern flank of Mont Ventoux, rising at the foot of the Château d’Aulan in the Drôme.

The Toulourenc is a fragile site, classified Natura 2000 and part of a European network dedicated to preserving its biodiversity. All year round, the site invites you to take part in the many walks offered in the heart of the valley. In order to preserve the site and its biodiversity, water-based hiking is not recommended. A manifesto has been signed by several mayors to ensure that our future generations can enjoy a preserved ecosystem.

The Toulourenc: a site to be preserved

3. The Aygues

This river has several spellings: Eygues, Aigues, Aigue or Aygues.

It flows through the Drôme, Hautes-Alpes and Vaucluse departments and is a tributary of the Rhône.

The Aygues passes through Nyons and continues its course along some of the communes of Vaison Ventoux Provence: Villedieu, Buisson, Saint-Roman-de-Malegarde and Cairanne.

The Aygues site has been classified as a Special Conservation Area under the “Habitat-Fauna-Flora” directive, due to its quality as a “Mediterranean braided” river and the specific habitats it shelters.

The site is 30 km long and covers a total area of 817 hectares. The Natura 2000 site encompasses the river’s minor bed, its mobility space, the riparian zone (or alluvial forest) and some adjacent farmland.

Hiking between the Aygues and Ouvèze rivers

Cooling off in Vaison Ventoux Provence

Beyond the rivers to protect, Vaison Ventoux Provence offers a wide range of refreshing activities: swimming in its pools, lakes and water park, climbing to new heights, walking along the water’s edge, tasting our flavours beside a fountain…