Cities and villages in the Vaucluse

Vaucluse

Cities and villages

Avignon

Beaumes de Venise

Bedoin

Blauvac

Caromb

Carpentras

Mazan

Mormoiron

Orange

Pernes les Fontaines

Sablet

Séguret

St. Didier

Capital city of the Vaucluse, Avignon is in itself a 14th century monument, the city centre is surrounded by a high fortified wall with a total length of 4,3km, towering out above of which, in all it’s glory is the Palace des Papes. This building is the most important Gothic palace in the world, and was the brainchild of the Popes Benoît XII and Clemens V. With a total floor space of 15000m² it is also one of the largest of it’s kind. Open to the public during the day, during the summer season the Papal Chambers are also open for visitors in the evenings.

Do not forget your dance on the St. Benzet Bridge, the Pont d’Avignon. The original bridge was built in eight years (1177- 1185) and was in 1226 partially destroyed by flood, to be rebuilt thereafter. In 1674 the bridge finally acquired it’s present form.

In Avignon one can still view a van Gogh original, together with works by Manét, Cézanne and Picasso. These can be seen hanging in the Museum Angladon in the Rue Labourier, close to the Office du Tourism.

The old Cardinal’s Palace Livré Ceccano is now in use as a ‘media library’. As one walks through the narrow medieval streets one will pass many splendid buildings with unmistakable Italian facades.

In July Avignon holds an annual theatre festival, with events as well as in the open air, as in many of the major buildings in the town, with the Palais en d’Horloge as a middle-point for the festivities. This festival is known the world over, and has a powerful effect upon it’s visitors and it’s patrons alike. In 2004 the festival director was in tears when the festivities were cancelled by strikes. On the fourteenth of July there is also a spectacular firework display.

For those less mobile than others there is a small train running which makes a tour of the city centre, leaving from the Office du Tourisme.

When approaching from Aubignan, the town of Beaumes de Venise gives the impression of being ‘glued’ to the hillside (!). This lively and sociable town located at the foot of the Plateau du Correns takes it’s name from the many caves (grottes or beaumes) which over the ages have been cut into the hillside. The town is protected from the sometimes bitter ‘mistral’ by the Dentelles de Montmirail.

In the town centre, on the square ‘Jean Jauris’ stands the large parish church, built in the 16th century and brought up to it’s present state during the 19th century. Directly adjacent stands a gate opening via the Rue de la Republique onto the myriad narrow streets and alleys among which stands a handsome 18th century Moorish fountain.

Ascending through these streets one will reach the town’s highest point where the remnants of a 12th century feudal castle stand. The chapel ‘Notre Dame d’Aubane’ with a jewel of a clock from the 19th century, lies a short distance from the town. From here a footpath leads one up the hill to the Grotten d’Ambrosi and the Rocalinaud, dating from pre-historic times. In the town itself is much more for one to discover.

A visit to the Mouliin à huile d’olie de la Balméenne is highly recommended, one can view the processes involved in the production the olive oil and also see many of the historic machines used at the mill in foregone times. The shop here stocks a wide range of locally produced delectable and local products.

Make a note to pay a visit the Caveau du Vin de Muscadet and taste the most famed Muscat de Beaume de Venise.

This shaded town is situated at the foot of the Mount Ventoux and from a distance appears to be ‘glued’ to the mountain. From far one can see Saint Antonin’s church, situated high in the town and surrounded by colourful houses with a typical Spanish character. This church was built by Jesuits en dates from 1702.

Arriving in the town centre, one is met by a number of inviting terraces shaded by the sycamores where one can take a rest, also there are a number of restaurants.

Bedoin is also a preferred rest-point for those wanting to conquer Mount Ventoux. Due to the micro-climate prevalent where the ‘Giant of Provence’ rises, many rare animals and plant sorts can be found. Lamas have been brought to the area in order to help preserve the local balance of nature.

A short distance from Bedoin is one of the world’s largest ‘natural’ camping sites, Bélezy

On Monday mornings a large market is held, where one can imagine oneself in the Tower of Babel.

Tennis, horse riding, walking, mountain-biking, cycling, fishing, mini-golf, skiing.

Situated in a pass 400m. above sea level, and built around the castle which dominates the town, Blauvac is first mentioned during the 9th century.

The strategic positioning of the castle offers views of almost all of the surrounding landscape; the Plateau du Vaucluse, the Gorges de la Nesque, the Carpentras levels, the Rhône-valley and the area to the South of Mont Ventoux.

The castle itself was first controlled by the Knights of Saint Siége, and was demolished and rebuilt a number of times during the many Saracen raids on the area, until it fell into the hands of the French Popes who then sold it on to the Knights of Methamis. The present castle was built in 1250. A number of various living spaces were built into the fortifications, which during the 18th century were ravaged. Still, in a number of houses the fort walls can be seen. The castle is now privately owned.

The adjacent church has also been ravaged and rebuilt a number of times between the 11th and the 14th centuries, Blauvac has always been a small town, with in it’s centre just 80 citizens.

Caromb is first mentioned in 980 and around 1021 the first written record of the name Caumbum is to be found. Around the end of the 13th century Betrand des Baux Esquire instigated the installation of what would become the contemporary town council.

In the 14th Century the city walls were raised and Caromb developed over the following centuries into a lively bustling town. From 1580 onward and particularly in the prosperous 17th century a number of cloisters were built in and around the town. The plague epidemic took it’s toll on Caromb.

In 1761 the town was granted a city charter and work was begun on the dam ‘le Paty’ in order to provide enough water for the irrigation of the extensive arable land surrounding the city. Now the ‘Lac du Pathy’ has become a favourite spot for cooling off during the hot summer months. Swimming in the lake is at one’s own risk!

After the French Revolution the city walls were demolished and the young city grew into the surrounding countryside. The majority of the present population are employed in and around the local vineyards. The city also boasts a working ‘moulin d’olive’, which was recently comprehensively modernised.

Another attraction is the Saint Maurice Church, built in 1420 and now a historic monument.

As early as the 6th century Carpentras, which was the capital of the Comtat du Venaissin was already known as the place to buy wheat and honey. The tradition continues today, and on a much large scale. Carpentras was and still is an important vibrant town, also famed for its locally grown strawberries and its specialities, the ‘Berlingots”. Every Friday morning there is a large market stretching across the whole town centre up to and including the Parking “des Platanes”.

The old town centre is marked by a ring of streets which lead the traffic in all directions away from the town centre itselfs. Within the old town centre one can find an abundance of historic buildings like the St. Pierre and St. Siffrein Cathedral, build in 1404 on the initiative of Pope Benidictus XIII. The Roman period gave us not only the Arc du Triomphe, but also large squares with cosy terraces. The Jewish Synagogue was built in 1367 and is the largest

synagogue in France. It is extremely well preserved and some sections, like the ritual baths fed by water from a source and the old heating and pump techniques (which are still in working order) are unique in the world. You can see also a traditional bread factory with ovens still in perfect condition and a enormous large stone worktable. The old Jewish church court testifies to the richness of the Jewish society, which also experienced a very difficult period around 1450 when a Jewish ghetto was established in Carpentras. The Jewish cemetery is located just outside the town. Next to the town hall, is the Palais du Justice. A large beautiful fountain and a long shopping street totally covered by a fantastic high class-domed roof. You will also find the ‘Porte d’Orange’’ and the ‘Bibliotheque Inguimbertine’ where approximately 220,000 books and 100,000 very rare manuscripts are kept. Just beside the large parking you will find the Hôtel-Dieu, the Office du Tourisme and an 18^th century pharmacy with a beautiful collection of pottery. Adjacent to this building, near and around the small bars, every Friday morning from late November to late February you can observe and participate in the mysterious truffle trading market. But be sure to buy a good one! You can also visit the Jouvaud shop (a copy of which has been established in Tokyo!) or drink there a tea.

On Sunday’s from noon there is a large antique market at the parking area in the Allées des Platanes.

The first historical records of Mazan, or more precisely Madazono, date from 982 B.C., but archaeological finds from as early as 40 B.C. have been found in the local vicinity. Mazan is a small village that maintains its authenticity even during the busy months, a highly cherished fact among the approximately 5000 inhabitants..

The historic centre lies within the village ramparts. Several original, old village gates give entrance to the narrow little streets with their fountains, a Romanesque style church whose 12th century bell-tower rises loftily over the village, to the Chapel Notre-Dame de Paraloupe and to a castle left by the famous Compte de Sade.

It was the Compte de Sade who organised the first festival in Provence, paving the way for the region’s numerous magnificent festivals of which the Avignon’s three week affair in July is by far the biggest.

The museum at the Chapel of the White Penitents provides some interesting historic information about the village and the surrounding area. The Romo-Gallics left a number of historical monuments such as the 64 monolithic sarcophagi from the 6th century in the cemetery just outside Mazan.

Once every ten years, Mazan hosts the massive Carri festival - the last event in 2000 was attended by 40,000 visitors.

The vast vineyards around Mazan, destroyed by the phylloxéra aphid in 1880, have since recovered and one can visit a number of small and large caves to sample the local wines.

The Castle de Sade was recently renovated and now houses the hotel-restaurant Château de Mazan.

A large cooperative wine cave, a number of smaller caves such as: Domaine le Grand Jacquet.

la Cachette, Belle Vue, l’Atélier, Vadim, Anouk, Marie, Josette, Majopika, le Pigeonier, Claude, Sonia

Lying in the plateau Mont Limon between Mont Ventoux and the Plateau du Vaucluse, on the road from Carpentras to Sault, this restful Provençal town boasts a museum which will bring visitors back centuries into the history of the locality. In two large vaulted chambers one will find a handsome collection of fossils from past centuries, flint tools and ceramic articles found in the area around Mormoiron.

During a tour of the town’s narrow streets and alleys one will come across numerous gates and fountains along with majestic views of the surrounding open country. The Notre Dame des Anges Chapel, standing on one of the hills toward Blauvac dates from the 16th century and is built on top of the remains of an old Romo-Gallic temple, once dedicated to the God Mercury.

To the East of Mormoiron lies the ‘Plan d’eau’, a lake with a beach-like promenade, truly a delightful location during the summer months.

Clos des Pins, le Portail Rouge, le Cabanon de Notre Dames, Jennifer, Xaviera, la Ribière.

This magnificent fortified city with a myriad of monumental buildings was granted in 35 BC a Roman city charter. The world famous Théâtre Anthique and the Arc de Triomphe, erected to celebrate the triumphs of Julius Céaser are listed among the Unesco monuments. A rendition in the Théâtre is highly recommended, it can send

shivers up the spine! It is the only Roman open-air theatre still in use as such. There are a great many attractions here, the small opera house, the old cathedral, the ruins of the Saint Eutrope castle (in 1632 built by Maurice van Nassau) to mention just a few. Indeed, the Royal Dutch House of Orange has it’s roots here, William of Orange set down here in 1530 and the Nassau’s stayed until 1702. For the observant visitor there are a number of buildings and place-names referring to this period.

Orange is a city given to wandering through the streets and alley-ways, to come across the small opera house, the sometimes monumental mansions, the open squares with their inviting terraces under the centuries-old sycamores. It is also a culinary delight, with numerous high quality restaurants

A lively town, founded in the Middle ages- Pernes les Fontaines was until 1320 the capital of the Comtat Venaissin – possesses, as the name suggests, within it’s imposing city walls almost 40 fountains, of which 10 are listed as historical monument. The source, located to the East of Pernes-les-Fontaines, is the Font de Bouvrey.

The most famous of the fountains are; la Fontaine Rebout (1475), la Fontaine Gigot (1757), la Fontaine l’Hôpital (1760) andd la Fontaine Cormaron (1761).

Thereby are around 100 more fountains, all of which privately owned and sadly not publicly accessible.

The city walls are impressive and well conserved, with the entry ports Port Villeneuve, Porte Notre Dame and Porte Saint Gilles.

In the Tour Ferrande (12th c.) are very well preserved frescos on view, l’ Eglise des Augistins and La Tour de l’ Horloge, with their for this area typical campanile.

Also, there are several small museums in the locality such as, la Musée de la Vielle Ecole aux les Valayans, la Musée de la Costume Comtadin and la Musée des Traditions Provençales.

The local Office du Tourisme offers a choice of five separate routes by which the town can be discovered.

On presentation of your Carte d’Amis, a free tour (including guide) is available from the Office de Tourisme.

At present the Pernes les Fontaines Town Council is particularly involved with a colourful pallet of activities offered for tourists, especially during the high-season.

Every four years during the Fête du Patrimoine, the town re-enacts the 19th century, recreating the traditional skills and fashions of the period.

Féria des Fontaines, Fête du Melon, Fête du Jeux and Journée des Livres Anciens are among the annually returning manifestos.

click here for an overview of all guided tours in and around Pernes les Fontaines..

Perched upon the top of a hill between the villages of Séguret and Gigondas, Sablet rises imperiously out above the renowned vineyards which surround the village in its completeness. A beautiful Romanesque bell-tower stands proudly on the summit of the hill, with narrow concentric streets, tunnelled archways and ancient fortifications encircling it.

The village provides stunning views of the valley and the Dentelles de Montmirail hills and is the starting point for dozens of enchanting walks and cycle trails into the lavender and vine

clad hills.

The cultivation of the, which bearvthe fruit fir it's world-renowned wines, is the main preoccupation of the village. Sablet was a papal possession during the French papal period of the 14th and 15th centuries and was producing wine on a steady basis by the 16th century. The village became an intregal part of the wine map in the late nineteenth century when François-Frédéric Leydier of Sablet invented a machine that grafted phylloxéra-resistant American rootstocks onto French vines. The machine helped to arrest the spread of the phylloxéra aphid which destroyed virtually all of Europe’s vineyards.

The name Sablet derives from the predominantly sandy soils that are found in and around the village. With its proximity to the other famous wine villages of Gigondas, Vaqueras, Rasteau and Séguret, the village of Sablet is a wonderful base from which to discover the wines of the region.

In July, the village plays host to one of the most important book festivals in France. Wine, culture, food and history are inextricably linked in this beautiful corner of Provence.

Two little supermarkets, a pharmacy, two bakeries, two butchers, a post office and a newsagent stocking foreign newspapers.

Wine tasting, and for those looking for more information about terroir, vineyards and winemaking there are half-day guided wine visits with our Carte d’Amis partner, Wine Uncovered (www.wine-uncovered.com).

This dreamy and picturesque village is situated between Perns les Fontaines and Venasque. A number of terraces offer welcoming hospitality.

The Eastern side of Saint Didier is marked by the Thézan Château, which is presently in use as a private clinic. On the other three sides of the village are vineyards interchanged with cherry tree orchards. Further to the South lies Le Beaucet where the magnificent forests offer a wonderful invitation for walkers.

A unique museum is to be found here, Les Appeaux Raymond, founded in 1868. Already the fourth generation of Raymonds are employed here constructing bird calls.

The old centre of this beautiful medieval village was actually inhabited centuries earlier.

Neolithic remains have been found here and a pre-Roman Ligurian oppidum here once contained a statue of a Gaulois god: now in the museum in Avignon.

Séguret is perched on the edge off a hill, dominated by the ruins of the feudal castle above it. The village centre is virtually car-free, and visitors are requested to park their cars at the parking places at the foot of the village. A short path leads you through a 14^th century gate into the centre of the old village. The narrow streets paved with cobblestones and the beautiful house fronts give you the impression that you have arrived in the M

iddle Ages! On the village square one will find the 10^th century Church Saint-Denis, the marvellous fountain “des Mascarrons” and the magnificent bell tower with its 17^th century belfry and an original hand made clock. There are several boutiques and a Salon du Thé serving wonderful homemade cakes and ice-cream, and don’t forgot to visit the Santon’s workshop! You will also find a small square under the shadow of a platane tree which offers one of the most impressive views of the Dentelles hills, the Rhone valley and its vineyards.

There are plenty of restaurants in and around Séguret and, not surprisingly, plenty of wine domains.

What to do: Seguret is the starting point of many walking and cycling routes into the Dentelles de Montmarail Hills. Wine tasting at local domains and, for those looking for more information about terroir, vineyards and winemaking there are half-day guided wine visits to two top domains in Séguret with our Friendship Card partner, Wine Uncovered (www.wine-uncovered.com).

This guided tour takes about 2 hours and brings you by way of the narrow streets past the most important monuments of this small medieval village. You will be astonished by the large impressive gates, the chapels, the ramparts and the old covered town-hall. On the top of the Tour d’Horloge you can enjoy an unforgettable view over the plain of the Comtat Venaissin, with the Mont Ventoux in the background. If you become thirsty just drink the water from one of the 40 fountains within the walls of Pernes les Fontaines. The water comes directly from a source outside Pernes les Fontaines. Included is a visit to the Tour Ferrande with its famous and well guarded fresco’s.

Led by one of the charming hostesses from the Office de Tourisme you will visit this 12th century fortified .In early days the tower accommodated a library, the meeting-place and a small hospital during the period of Count Charles d’Anjou. On the third and last floor are fresco’s which have survived surprisingly well. They tells of the conquest of the Kingdomss of Naples and Sicily by Charles d’Anjou, Count of Provence

From the first of June till the 30th of September every morning, except Tuesday and Sunday

Due to the success of last season's probationary tours programme, Pernes les Fontaines now offers the chance to visit a number of old mansions, such as you the Hôtel Brancas with its large secrets stairs, the Cheylus with it's old ritual Jewish baths. Included is a visit to the Salle de la Garde in the Porte Notre Dame and also a few surprises. The tour ends at a special place where a “sommelier” gives a lecture on wine tasting. The duration of the tour is about three hours.