The Vaudois Route, a historic road to explore the villages of the Luberon in a unique way

THE VAUDOIS ROUTE, A HISTORIC ROAD TO EXPLORE THE VILLAGES OF THE LUBERON IN A UNIQUE WAY

History enthusiasts will visit the villages of Lourmarin, Lacoste, Cabrières d’Avignon, Mérindol… with a fresh perspective, following the traces left by a religious minority that settled in the Luberon in the 15th century: “The Vaudois.”

WHO WERE THE VAUDOIS?

Around 1170, a wealthy Lyonnais merchant, Valdès, better known as Pierre Valdo, decided to leave everything behind for a life of preaching and poverty, in accordance with the Gospel.

He had the New Testament translated into Provençal, and his sermons were quickly banned.

The Church considered Valdo and his followers as dissidents.

Fleeing the persecution that began around 1230, his followers scattered and settled, notably in the Luberon.

The Vaudois movement spread throughout Europe, reaching its peak in the 14th century.

Tireless workers, the Vaudois cultivated many lands that had been left fallow in villages of the Luberon that had depopulated, particularly due to the plague and wars.

From the Synod of Chanforan in 1532, the Vaudois aligned with Protestantism, and the Inquisition grew harsher, leading to the infamous “Edict of Mérindol” in April 1545.

Around twenty villages in the Luberon were ravaged by the soldiers of the Baron of Maynier d’Oppède, First President of the Aix-en-Provence Parliament, and the Pope’s mercenaries.

WHERE DOES THIS HISTORIC VAUDOIS ROUTE PASS?

If you wish to hike in the Luberon on this theme, the Vaudois Route passes along the southern flank of the Luberon, through the villages of Mérindol, Lourmarin, Cabrières d’Aigues, La Motte d’Aigues, Saint-Martin-de-la-Brasque, Peypin d’Aigues, and Vaugines.

It also passes along the northern side of the Luberon, through the villages of Cabrières d’Avignon, Gordes, Goult, Joucas, Murs, Lacoste, and Lacoste… These villages also have a Vaudois history.

Many of today’s Protestants in the Luberon, who are originally from this region, have Vaudois ancestors.

WHERE SHOULD YOU ABSOLUTELY STOP ON THE HISTORIC VAUDOIS ROUTE?

Mérindol is the symbolic village of this historic route.

The Vaudois Studies Centre “La Muse”, located at the top of the old village, is the guardian of this memory, with archives that people from all over Europe come to consult, whether historians or descendants of the Vaudois of the Luberon, seeking their past.

A memorial, accessible by a small path in about thirty minutes from La Muse, overlooks the ruins of the Vaudois village, completely destroyed in 1545 and never rebuilt.

In Lourmarin, be sure to visit the castle, which was largely built by the Vaudois and where they came, in vain, seeking refuge during the 1545 assault.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Moulin à Huile in Mérindol is located in the former Vaudois temple of the village, the first temple authorized in Provence, built in 1563. The millers are of Vaudois origin.

In Cabrières d’Aigues, the Domaine des Vaudois is a vineyard run by a descendant of the Vaudois.

We invite you to contact our agency, Plaisirs & Maisons de Provence, by clicking here. We can design a tailor-made stay for you, including a guided hike on the Vaudois Route with a specialized guide.

For your accommodation, we offer a selection of holiday rentals in the Luberon or holiday rentals in Provence—click here.