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Entrechaux, provençal village near the Mont Ventoux
The Medieval Castle of Entrechaux
On top of a hill and overlooking the rest of the village, the Château d'Entrechaux stands proudly facing Mont Ventoux and is the best place to admire the surrounding environment at 360 °. This ruin dating from the 10th and 12th century was for a long time the property of the papacy and the resort of the Bishop of Vaison-La-Romaine. Abandoned, it was the target of looting by villagers and bandits who reused the stones to build their own houses.
Private property today, it serves as an apprenticeship course for apprentice stonemasons wishing to learn the techniques of yesteryear. Guided tours are available in summer to find out.
The 3 chapels circuit
A walking tour takes you to discover the 3 roman chapels of Entrechaux :
- The Chapel of Notre-Dame de Nazareth: built in the 12th century on a plateau where the first inhabitants were the Celto-Ligurians and then the Gallo-Romans, this chapel, a real vestige of Romanesque architecture, was born from the stones of an ancient roman temple on the same site, dedicated to Diana, goddess of the hunt.
- Saint-André Chapel: dating from the Merovingian period, this chapel is the oldest building in the town of Entrechaux. Built in the 9th century, it has been altered several times over the centuries. However, the surviving apse dates from its early days.
- Saint Laurent Chapel: built in the 11th century and remodeled in the 12th century, this small chapel is remarkable for its Roman tile roof and its freestone architecture.
Swimming in L'Ouvèze
Under the small Saint-Michel bridge, the very shallow Ouvèze flows gently, mingling in summer with the smell of pines and the sound of cicadas, making this place a privileged place for locals to bathe with the family and cool off on the hottest summer days. With the surrounding vegetation, it is easy to find shady spots to rest, take a nap or read a light summer novel.