Luberon market town synonymous with fragrant melons, Roman remains, and a historic Jewish quarter.
Cavaillon is a market town in the Luberon, and in France its name is virtually synonymous with one thing: melons. The sweet, perfumed Cavaillon melon has been celebrated here since at least the 16th century — Alexandre Dumas loved them so much he offered the town his complete works in exchange for a lifetime supply — and the Monday morning market remains one of the largest and most lively in Provence, piled high with produce from the surrounding plains.
Beyond the melons, Cavaillon has an old town worth an afternoon. The cathedral of Saint-Véran dates to the 12th century, and the Roman triumphal arch from the 1st century AD still stands at the town's edge. The synagogue and attached Jewish museum are among the most significant reminders of the Comtat Venaissin's Sephardic Jewish community, one of the oldest in France, which flourished here under papal protection for centuries. The Colline Saint-Jacques behind the old town gives the best panoramic views over the Luberon plain.
The surrounding countryside is classic Luberon: lavender fields, limestone outcrops, hilltop villages. The market town of Apt is close by, and the Luberon's famous perched villages — Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux — are all within easy reach.
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Getting There
Cavaillon has a train station with regular services to Avignon (about 20 minutes), from which high-speed TGV connections reach Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. The nearest major airports are Marseille Provence (about 55km south) and Avignon Caumont (about 25km north), though Avignon has limited international services.
By car, Cavaillon is on the A7 motorway corridor and easily reached from Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseille. Driving makes the most sense if you want to explore the surrounding Luberon villages, which are poorly served by public transport.
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When to Go
Cavaillon is best visited between May and October, when the Monday market is at full strength and the Luberon landscape is in its prime. The melon season runs from late June through September — this is when the town is most itself, the stalls piled high and the air carrying the sweet smell of ripe fruit.
July and August bring Provence's peak tourist season; Cavaillon itself is quieter than Gordes or Roussillon, but the roads and nearby villages are busy. September is the best compromise: still warm, less crowded, the harvest producing exceptional melons. Winter is mild by northern European standards but many restaurants and attractions keep reduced hours.
