Gordes is one of the most beautiful scenic backdrops in Provence. Even from afar, you can see how the old houses and gardens nestle harmoniously against the hillside overlooking the Coulon valley. The old walls look like a painting against the vast, hilly landscape. No wonder it was artists who discovered the almost derelict village in the middle of the 20th century and revitalised it over the years.
The Castle
The centre of the town is an elongated 16th century castle, one of the earliest Renaissance buildings in the whole of France. It was built by Bertrand de Simiane on the ruins of a medieval castle. It forms an elongated rectangle in an east-west direction with three striking round towers in each corner and a fourth on the northern wall. Until its closure in 1996, the castle housed a didactic museum of the artist Victor Vasarely with 500 of his works.
In The Past
In addition to agriculture, the village was home to silk spinning mills, tanneries, shoemakers and wool weavers. There were plenty of windmills, but unfortunately none of them still exist.
Today
The town now lives mainly from tourism, property agencies and galleries. In addition to paintings and sculptures, locally produced nativity figures and woven fabrics are in great demand as souvenirs.
From April to the end of September, art lovers can enjoy various exhibitions in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs and the Salle des Editions in the castle.
Since 1984, the Festival des Soirées d’été (Summer Evenings Festival) has been held in summer in the beautiful Théâtre des Terrasses. This old amphitheatre is located in the heart of the village and offers a panoramic view of the Coulon plain and the Luberon mountains.
All Around
If you leave the centre of the stand and walk a few steps into the surrounding area, you can find igloo-shaped stone huts, so-called bories, which were used as seasonal houses from the 16th to 19th centuries.
Typical are also the many layered walls, which are built from the same flat stones as the houses or the old terraces in the neighbourhood.
Tips
Parking
If you are coming from Cavaillon, you can use the car park on the left in the last sharp right-hand bend before entering the town.
If this car park is full, drive through the town once and you will find a very large car park on the left at the exit in Rue de la Combe, where you will definitely find a space.
Refreshments
There are many places to stop for a bite to eat in Gordes. We love to sit in the square in front of the castle at lunchtime and eat delicious French specialities at La Renaissance. Here you can sit under the plane trees right next to the fountain dating back to 1342, which was the only source of water for the villagers for a long time. From here you can watch the hustle and bustle of the town.
Combine with other activities
To turn your visit to Gordes into a day-long activity, I recommend a visit to the Village de Bories beforehand and then you can visit the Provençal centre of attraction par excellence, the Sénanque monastery.
Hiking
If you are a good walker, you can also explore all three villages on a highly recommended four-and-a-half-hour hike.
