OPPÈDE LE VIEUX, THE CHARM OF A PERCHED VILLAGE IN THE LUBERON
Not far from Ménerbes and Bonnieux, on the north face of the Luberon, the old village of Oppède stands proudly, straight out of centuries of history. Its proud beauty gives it an austere and mysterious aspect, Oppède le Vieux seems to have been forgotten for a long time and it invites you to a very romantic stroll across time.
A PROVENCAL BOTANICAL GARDEN
In the parking lot located below the old village, one crosses Sainte-Cecile’s gardens, leaving the old threshing yard on the right to go toward the old center. These terraces in dry stones show all the vegetal richness of the little Luberon: pines, olive trees, oaks, genets, thyme, rosemary.. and they are a very nice prelude to the visit of Oppède le Vieux
AN OLD VILLAGE WITH A REMARKABLE BUILDING HERITAGE
From the exit of the garden, the little street going down offers a view of the medieval village. One goes down to the big square to cross the old ramparts gate and goes in the narrow medieval streets up to the top of the old village... The old Oppidum, to which Oppède owes its name.
The 12th century Collegiale Notre Dame d’Alidon can be visited. Restoration has been in progress for several years, especially thanks to the “Oppède Patrimoine” association and to the actor Michael Leeb who lives in the commune and each year in July organizes a festival whose profits go to the restoration of the monument.
The ruins of the castle are also being restored and many volunteers are participating in this ambitions project.
Between these two buildings one can admire majestic cedar trees and high cliffs to the North and the Calavon plain and the villages of Gordes, Goult, Joucas, Roussillon...
Going down one passes near the Penitents Blancs Chapel, the high walls of a castle and beautiful houses in cut stones. Because Oppède is a place where this white limestone, the stone of the South which contributed to build the most beautiful palaces and the most beautiful bishops residence, notably in Avignon, was extracted.
THE CENDRES WORKSHOP, AN ARTISTS' WORKSHOP TO BE DISCOVERED...
Going back to the gardens in terrace, one should stop to meet the potter Denis Bouniard and his wife Olivia Tregaut, animal sculptor.
You can observe them at work and discover the works shown in the shop. Denis makes superb pottery, some very large, with unusual forms and always very elegant.
Olivia has a passion for animals and she sculpts threatened species in earth with great talent. Some of his works are in bronze shown in Parisian galleries et during expositions in France and abroad.
DID YOU KNOW?
From the parking lot a marked walking path will allow you to discover the vineyards up to the valley.
Because Oppède is also vineyards like La Royère, Meillan-Pagés or La Garelle, the Saint Augustin oil mill, restaurants … so many opportunities for gourmet stops.
