Perched on a rocky promontory in the Vaucluse Mountains, at the heart of the Luberon Regional Nature Park, Gordes is a typical Provence village full of picture postcard charm. Its picturesque cobbled streets lined with beautiful blond stone houses, fountains, vaulted passages and majestic Renaissance castle proudly dominating the landscape have attracted many artists in search of inspiration, such as Chagall and Vasarely.
Now it's your turn to fall for the charm of this amazing village! Stroll along the cobblestone paths, taking the time to stop and admire the various views they offer over the Luberon massif. Then head to the castle for a superb view of the surrounding area. Built in the 11th century and then rebuilt in the Renaissance, it now houses a cultural centre dedicated to art exhibitions.
Your steps will also lead you to St. Fermin's Palace and its cellars dug into the rock, where you can see the remains of cisterns, silos and an old seigniorial oil mill, all evidence of the village's craft activities in the Middle Ages. The nearby Church of St. Fermin, built in the Romanesque style in the 12th century then remodelled in the 18th century, is sure to appeal to lovers of old buildings. Other interesting structures include an old washhouse on Rue de la Fontaine Basse, the Chaplaincy of St. James which used to welcome pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela, and the Chapel of the White Penitents.
