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Venasque is billed as "one of the most beautiful villages of France".
It is lovely, but that's a hard call, what with the plethora of beautiful villages in the Beyond region of France alone.
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Nearby: |
Carpentras 11 km |
Gordes 14 km |
Mazan 10 km |
Murs 15 km |
Murs Pass |
Pernes-les-Fontaines 10 km |
Roussillon 26 km |
Senanque Abbey 13 km |
Villes-sur-Auzon 16 km |
Below: |
History |
O.T. |
Dates |
Hiking |
Lodging Hotels |
The village is small and compact, with a few shops, restaurants and hotels, and even it's own bureau de tourisme, and there are a lot of flowers decorating the neat streets.
This street (photo) starts at the 18th century fountain, and is deserted for the moment while everybody stops for their mid-day meal.
The ruins of the large chateau right in the village include thick walls connecting three towers, somewhat truncated, and two arched entrance "portes".
In contrast to the fine old medieval castle were the young men playing petanque at the base of the ancient walls and 12th century "Saracen" tower (photo, 27k).
The 13th-century church is beautiful inside and outside, with a high bell tower and gargoyles (photo, 21k).
The road from the southeast comes into Venasque along fairly level ground, but from the village you can see the deep, forested valleys and rocky cliffs flanking the sides of the village.
Far below you have an aerial view of the Notre-Dame de Vie, an ancient monastery, that still has some Roman ruins.
History
Name
First record, 4th century Vindasca; 11th century: Vennasca
Prehistoric:
There are neolithic vestiges at the grotte de Quinsan, 1 km south of the village.
Gallo-Roman:
Two oppidums are nearby, and a Celtic road passed south of the ramparts. Roman artifacts in the region include statuettes, bronzes, tombs, pottery and some walls.
Medieval:
The Bishop of Carpentras established his diocese here from 580 to 982, following the barbarian invasions of Carpentras. Control passed to Thézan-Venasque in the 14th century by marriage, and was maintained until the 18th century.
Office de Tourisme
Tel( Mairie): 0490 66 11 66
Dates
Market day: daily in May and June (especially for the cherries)
Fête communale: Easter Monday
Fête patronale: 15 Aug
Hiking
- Maps:
- IGN (1/25,000) #3141 ouest "Carpentras"
- Didier Richard (1/50,000) #27 "Ventoux"
Venasque is on the western edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse where there are many great hiking trails.
There's a short, loop hike out to the southwest of the village.
A trail south and east from Venasque connects with the GR91 (Grande Randonnée) which follows along the western edge of the plateau. Many smaller trails branch off the GR to go up through the forests to the top of the mountains.
To the northwest, the GR trails pass Methamis and Villes-sur Auzon, or branch off through the Gorges de la Nesque or, even closer, up to the Col de Murs.
To the south, the GR and other trails cross the hills to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, the Abbaye de Sénanque and Gordes.
Lodging - Hotels
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Photo gallery of 2 photos for Venasque
