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The old village of Gigondas rises up from the surrounding vineyards, past ancient houses to the 11th-century Ste.Catherine's church, with its central clock tower flanked by the campanile belfry and the old sundial (photo).
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Nearby: |
Avignon 41 km |
Beaumes-de-Venise 8 km |
Cairanne 10 km |
Carpentras 16 km |
Malaucene 20 km |
Orange 20 km |
Sainte Cecile-les-Vignes 14 km |
Séguret 14 km |
Vacqueyras 4 km |
Below: |
History |
O.T. |
Dates |
Wine |
Hiking |
Lodging Hotels |
The ruins of the ancient fortifications extend up from the rocky ridge high above the village, and most of the old defensive wall still runs down from the top along the east edge of the village. High to the right, the ruins of the castle of the Princes of Orange still stand sentinal over the village and vineyards below.
The central square has a few terrace cafés and the ever-present wine "caveaux" where you can taste several variations of the superb Gigondas wine, and of course obtain a few bottles to take home.
Gigondas has run amok with modern sculpture, and they clutter the upper part of the village. Although "taste" is a personal thing, it's at least a sign that the village cares about itself and its image. Whether you like the sculptures or not, there's enough variety that you're bound to find at least some of them interesting.
Below the old village is a neat little commercial area, with parking, some shops and a gîte. There's a basketball court here as well, in case you brought a ball with you.
Out to the left (north) of the village, on the road up to the Dentelles Montmirail, the ancient Chapelle Sts-Côme-et-Damien extends up out of the forest on a hilltop, giving an added medieval feeling to Gigondas.
History
Name
First record, 951 Jocundatis (probably Roman)
Prehistoric:
Built against the cliffs, Gigondas has many prehistoric artifacts, including polished axes and bronze-age furniture.
Gallo-Roman:
Roman artifacts found here include the head of a statue, coins, tiles and urns.
Medieval:
Gigondas was a "Seigneurie" of the Principality of Orange.
Office de Tourisme
Tel: 04 90 65 85 46; Fax: 04 90 65 88 42
Email: office.tourisme@gigondas-les-dentelles-de-montmirail.fr
Dates
Every July - Opus 99, Theatre de Verdure; chambre music of Gigondas
1st Weekend Sep - Fete Votive
Wine
Gigondas is in the region of the Rhône Valley Côtes de Rhône wines, as well as having its own outstanding appellation, Gigondas.
Hiking
- Maps:
- IGN (1/25,000) #3040 ET "Carpantras, Vaison-la-Romaine"
- Didier Richard (1/50,000) #27 "Ventoux"
Gigondas is at the base of the rugged Dentelles de Montmirail, and clearly-marked hiking trails go from the village up into these beautiful hills.
A number of trails go to the south, as far as Beaumes-de-Venise, and one goes east as far as the village of Le Barroux.
To the northeast, the trails go past the Grande Montagne (594 m) and the Crête de St. Amand (732 m), eventually joining the GR4 (Grande Randonnée) east of M
Lodging - Hotels
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Photo gallery of 2 photos for Gigondas
