Gordes

Gordes is situated on the Vaucluse mountains opposite the Luberon. It is another perched village and a spectacular example of one. To access it from here, we had first of all to travel through Lourmarin from where we ascended through the Luberon mountains on a twisty scenic road until we almost reached Apt.

Some views on the way up over the mountain. You can see here some evidence of autumn. There were fantastic views over the Luberon area but they didn't photo well because of the distance and the haze.



Then we took the D900 west until Gordes was signposted, again weaving our way upwards. The first view of Gordes is spectaclar with a gold sheen in the sunlight.

This is a much more touristy area and you can see from the prices that the hotels and restaurants are well ready for tourists! The place was packed but it was Sunday after all. Armed with a walking map we did the tour starting in Place du Chateau where there was an interesting and colorful exhibition of wool and silk garments. Of course they were horrendously expensive so I contented myself with admiring.

You can see I am not too pleased that Jim is holding tight to the purse-strings!

Jim wanted to buy a sheep but restrained himself!!

This hanging is created to show the variety of natural pigments

The village is a series of terraces accessed by ancient cobbled streets sloping upwards and downwards. It is extremely precarious under foot but we succeeded without accident unlike a little toddler who fell on a step hitting her head an almighty wallop that sounded as if she had cracked her skull. Her mother, although distressed, kept saying "Pourquoi tu fais ca?" as if the child had done it deliberately. On our journey we admired the various buildings and arches and views.

La Porte Savoie, one of the main entrances to the town in the Middle Ages.

The Chancel of St. Firmin Church

This is the belfry of the Saint Firmin Church that rises high into the Castle Square from far below. It is from the 18th century and was built on the site of a small Roman Church that no longer exists.

The crack in the chancel was caused by the earthquake of 1909 that shook the whole region.

A side altar.

A side altar and pulpit.

This side altar is devoted to St. Crepin (left) and St. Crepinien (right) the patron saints of cobblers. There were up to 400 townsmen working in the production of shoes in the 19th century.

View from the city.

We wound our way slowly and carefully till we came down to this level where it is set up as a theatre for various theatrical and musical events in the summer.It was cordoned off to the public so we were able to only glimpse the cellar that is hollowed out of the rock.

On our way upo again, a view down a narrow side street.

We spent a long time in Gordes as it is very attractive. Then we set off up the mountain to Abbaye de Senanque, 4km from Gordes. It is a Cistercian Abbey from the 12th century and an exceptional example of primitive Cistercian architecture.

Some views on our return journey to Gordes from the abbey

This whole area is surrounded by fantastic stone walls like this.










Our original plan had been to visit Le Village des Bories close to Gordes. Bories are dry stone huts and the village - classed as a historic monument - gives an account of Provencal life from far-off times to the present day. However, having spent so much time in Gordes we will visit the village another day.

On our way home Jim nearly ran over a red squirrel. I looked back and saw it sitting at the side of the road, its little heart beating frantically. I could swear I heard it say "Phew, that was close!" as it fanned itself with its paw!