Lapalud Weekly Market
The weekly market in Lapalud takes place every Tuesday on the Cours des Platanes. Fresh and local products await you near the Town Hall!
Plizio Visual Lab
Bollène
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Bollène
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The best time to visit the Barry troglodyte village is early morning to beat the heat.
- Pre-book tours for the Donzère-Mondragon hydroelectric plant well in advance.
- Free parking can usually be found near the Lez river banks.
- Market day is typically Tuesday morning in the town center.
- Wear sturdy shoes if hiking up to the ruined castle overlooking the town.
🍽 Food
🍽
Tricastin Truffles
Look for restaurants serving seasonal dishes with local truffles from the nearby Tricastin region.
🍽
Côtes du Rhône Wine
Order a glass of local red at a café on the main square.
🍽
Fougasse
Grab this traditional flatbread from a local bakery for a quick snack.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Tuesday Market
Head to the town center on Tuesday mornings for fresh Provençal produce and cheeses.
🛍
Local Wine Shops
Visit a 'cave' near the town limits to buy authentic Côtes du Rhône bottles directly.
🧘
Barry Troglodyte Village
Wander among these ancient homes carved into the rock for a peaceful, historic experience.
🧘
Banks of the Lez
Enjoy a quiet stroll or a picnic along the shaded riverside path.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
6
100 Years of La Suzienne Cellar
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of La Suzienne with a festive meal and an evening of dancing. Enjoy a convivial atmosphere with on-site food trucks.
49th Antique Market
A must-visit antique market in Drôme Provençale with over 1 km of stalls and nearly 4,000 visitors every year. Perfect for treasure hunters!
Guided Tour "Journey through the Ages"
Stroll through the alleys of a village worth the detour! At the top, a sumptuous panorama opens over the plain and the majestic silhouette of Mont Ventoux.
Les Musicales en Tricastin: Piano Night
Piano Night is the must-see evening of this festival. Be amazed by a program featuring Sophie Charmasson, Haiou Zhang, and the duo Carles & Sofia.
Guided Tour "Medieval Suze-la-Rousse"
Discover the hidden treasures of Suze-la-Rousse, a picturesque village nestled at the foot of an impressive medieval and Renaissance fortress.
Bollène is a historic city in the northern Vaucluse department, strategically positioned in the Rhône Valley. Its location has made it a crossroad of civilizations since ancient times, a fact evident in its medieval old town perched on a hill. One of the most fascinating sites nearby is the Barry troglodyte village, a sprawling complex of rock-cut dwellings that were inhabited from prehistoric times until the early 20th century. In the mid-1900s, Bollène's landscape and economy were transformed by a massive public works project: the construction of the Donzère-Mondragon canal and the André Blondel hydroelectric power station. At its inauguration in 1952, it was the largest of its kind in Europe and remains a registered historical monument for its innovative industrial design. Today, Bollène serves as a gateway to Provence, blending its technical heritage with the agricultural richness of the surrounding Côtes du Rhône vineyards. Its direct access to the A7 motorway ('Highway of the Sun') ensures its continued role as a major logistical hub while maintaining a cultural calendar filled with traditional Provencal festivals and contemporary arts.
- Location: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
- Top sights: Troglodyte Village of Barry · Hôtel d'Alauzier · Alauzier Gate
- Nearby: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux (8 km)
- Population: ~14.024
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 3 |
| Rain mm | 62 | 50 | 57 | 74 | 77 | 53 | 45 | 48 | 75 | 113 | 116 | 68 |
Geography
Facts
- Home to the André Blondel hydroelectric plant, a 1952 engineering marvel.
- The Barry troglodyte village is one of France's most significant rock-dwelling sites.
- The town is a key entry point to the Provence region.
- The canal lock at Bollène is one of the highest in France (23m).
- Features the historic Collégiale Saint-Martin church.
- A7 motorway provides direct access to Orange and Lyon.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Bollène (6)
Frequently asked questions
What is the Barry village near Bollène?
It is an abandoned archaeological site featuring cave dwellings carved into the rock (troglodytes) that were inhabited until the 19th century.
When does the weekly market take place in Bollène?
The traditional Provençal market takes place every Saturday morning in the city center at Place du 18 Juin.
How far is Bollène from Avignon?
Bollène is about 50 km north of Avignon and can be reached via the A7 motorway in approximately 45 minutes.
What culinary specialty should you try in the region?
Try the truffles from Tricastin and the Côtes du Rhône wines, as Bollène borders this famous wine-growing region.
Are there nature activities nearby?
Yes, the Ardèche Gorges (Gorges de l'Ardèche) are only 20 km away, good for canoeing and hiking.
Bollène: where is it located?
Bollène is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Bollène: what is there to see?
Highlights include Troglodyte Village of Barry, Hôtel d'Alauzier, Alauzier Gate.
Bollène: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Bollène: why is it worth visiting?
Bollène is a historic city in the northern Vaucluse department, strategically positioned in the Rhône Valley.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in France →
Nearby cities
Marseille
Marseille is the second-largest city in France and a vibrant hub on the Mediterranean Sea.
Toulon
Toulon is an important Mediterranean port and a maritime city with a strong link to the French Navy.
Nîmes-Nord
Nîmes-Nord is an area for modern infrastructure in the north of the city.
Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is an elegant city known for its plane tree-lined boulevard, Cours Mirabeau, its fountains, and as the birthplace of the …
Avignon-Nord
This area of Avignon offers infrastructure and living space outside the historic walls.
Avignon
Avignon is famous for the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), where the Popes resided in the 14th century.
La Seyne-sur-Mer
La Seyne-sur-Mer is a port city on the French Riviera, known for its industrial shipbuilding history and beautiful seaside beaches.
Arles
Arles is a historic city in Provence, southern France, renowned for its remarkably preserved Roman monuments and its artistic connection …
Martigues
Martigues, also known as the 'Venice of Provence,' is a picturesque city on the shores of the Etang de Berre, featuring canals and colorf…
Aubagne
Aubagne is a charming Provencal city known for its pottery tradition, as the birthplace of Marcel Pagnol, and as the headquarters of the …
Istres
A southern French city nestled between the Étang de Berre and the Crau plain, famous for its major air force base.
Gap
The highest prefecture in France, nestled in the Southern Alps and renowned for its pure air and mountain sports.
Salon-de-Provence
A sunny Provencal city, famous as the home of Nostradamus and a center for traditional olive oil soap making.
Vitrolles
A dynamic city near Marseille, situated on the shores of the Étang de Berre and known for its iconic red rock.
Draguignan
A charming Provençal city at the foot of the Alps, known for its military history and the legend of the dragon.