Five Evenings for Wine, Gardens and Pagnol

Every Tuesday evening in July, the splendid winery Chateau Val Joanis in Pertuis is showing Pagnol films outdoors. The evening begins at 7:30 with a glass of rosé and a garden tour. The films, in French with English subtitles, begin at 9:30 pm and the evening wraps with a tombola (raffle). Dates are July 3: Jean de Florette. July 10: Manon des Sources. July 17: La Gloire de Mon Pere. July 24: La Chateau de ma Mere. July 31: La Fille du Puisatier. Tickets are 10€ for adults; 6€ for kids under 16. For info or reservations, see contact info below.

The terraced gardens at Val Joanis were inspired by the 17th-century Provencal manor which stands on the site. They’re classifed by the French Ministry of Culture among the Notable Gardens of France. On separate terraces you’ll find a a kitchen garden and flower garden, lots of varieties of tomatoes, extensive herbs, pyramids of ivy, roses galore, fruit trees (particularly old varieties of apples and pears) and a collection of asters and ornamental boxwoods. Meanwhile, the chateau itself is built on the site of an ancient Roman villa, some of whose stones decorate the garden today. In July and August, Val Joanis offers a guided visit of the winery and gardens, with a wine and olive oil tasting, for 6.50€ per person on Thursdays at 4 pm. Otherwise they're open for visits seven days a week: from 10 to 1 and 2 to 7 in April, May, June and September;  from 10 to 7 straight through in July and August; and from 10 to 1 and 2 to 6 in October. To visit the gardens on your own is 4.50€. For info click here, or call +33(0)4 90 79 20 77 or email:  info@val-joanis.com.