Not far from Ménèrbes and Bonnieux, on the northern slopes of the Luberon, the old village of Oppède stands proudly, straight out of centuries of history. Its haughty beauty lends it an austere, mysterious quality. Oppède-le-Vieux seems to have been forgotten long ago, and invites you to take a romantic stroll through time.
A PROVENÇAL BOTANICAL GARDEN
From the car park below the old village, cross the terraces of Sainte-Cécile, leaving the old threshing floor on the right to head towards the old centre. These dry-stone terraces display all the plant life of the Petit Luberon: pines, olive trees, oaks, boxwood, broom, thyme, rosemary… and are a wonderful prelude to a visit to Oppède-le-Vieux.
AN OLD VILLAGE WITH A REMARKABLE BUILT HERITAGE
As soon as you leave the garden, the little sloping lane offers a view of the medieval village. Walk down to the main square, through the ancient gateway to the ramparts, and let yourself be carried along the narrow medieval streets to the top of the old village… The ancient Oppidum, to which Oppède owes its name.
The 12th century Collegiate Church of Notre Dame d’Alidon can be visited. It has been undergoing restoration work for several years, thanks in particular to the ‘Oppède Patrimoine’ association and comedian Michel Leeb, who lives in the village and organises an annual festival in July, with all proceeds going towards the restoration of the monument.
The ruins of the château are also being restored, with many volunteers taking part in this ambitious project.
Between these two buildings, there is a viewpoint with majestic cedar trees and high cliffs to the north and the Calavon plain and the villages of Gordes, Goult, Joucas and Roussillon to the south.
On the way back down, you pass by the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, the high cliffs of the Calavon valley and the villages of Gordes, Goult, Joucas and Roussillon.
L'ATELIER DES CENDRES, AN ARTISTS' STUDIO TO DISCOVER ...
On the way back to the terraced gardens, you should stop off to meet potter Denis Bouniard and his wife Olivia Trégaut, an animal sculptor.
You can watch them at work and see their work on display in the shop. Denis makes superb pottery, some of it very large, with unusual shapes and always very elegant.
Olivia has a passion for animals and skilfully sculpts endangered species in clay. Some of her works also become bronzes, exhibited in Paris galleries and at exhibitions in France and abroad.
DID YOU KNOW?
From the car park, a signposted walking route takes you through the vineyards and down into the valley…
Oppéde is also home to a number of wine estates, including La Royère, Meillan-Pagés and La Garelle, the Saint Augustin oil mill and restaurants… so many opportunities for gourmet breaks.
Plaisirs et Maisons de Provence invites you to stay in one of its holiday rentals in Provence and discover this forgotten village.
If you would like to discover the treasures of Provence, please contact us by clicking on this link.
