Gordes Revealed: Discover the Stunning Acropolis of Provence

The village of Gordes is perched on a rock at 340 metres high, on the south flank of the Vaucluse plateau, above the plain of the Calavon River and in front of the Luberon. Rightly nicknamed the "Acropolis of Provence", Gordes is the most visited village in the Luberon and enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year.

Watch this short video on the Luberon!

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Why you should visit Gordes

Gordes truly deserves the title of one of the most beautiful villages of France with its Romanesque abbey (Notre-Dame de Sénanque), the fantastic caves of the Saint Firmin palace, ancient paved streets, mills, chapels and washhouses.

One can guess the Celtic past of the village due to the presence of oppida at the top of the rock on which the village is now situated.

Gordes' inclusion in "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" is far from accidental. Established in 1982, this French association and certification brand unites over 176 villages under its prestigious banner, celebrating their exceptional beauty and cultural heritage.

Among these, neighbouring villages such as Vénasque, Ménerbes, and Roussillon share the distinction, each contributing to the rich tapestry of France's most picturesque and charming locations.

What I like about Gordes

I never get tired of the impressive view of the hilltop village from the Bel-Air belvedere.

I think all first-time visitors to Gordes will agree with me: when you discover Gordes for the first time with the view of the hilltop village, you're impressed by so much beauty. 

Here, you can admire the houses constructed from the very stone of the rock upon which the village stands.

I choose to avoid visiting Gordes in the middle of the summer season to avoid the hordes of tourists... and then, it's much easier to find a parking space off-season.

What to see in Gordes

The charm of the village lies in its limestone, drystone walls and terraced layout of stone houses and gardens. Here are some of the landmarks you don't want to miss!

The castle

The most striking monument is the castle (le château), the most visible part of which is in Renaissance style.

This imposing building, rebuilt in 1525, stands in the centre of the village and currently houses a painting museum dedicated to the Belgian artist Pol Mara and the tourist office.

Inside, several fireplaces, including one dating from 1541, decorate the rooms.

Place Genty Pantaly and the Fountain

A beautiful fountain is in the square of Place Genty Pantaly to the south of the castle. The first mention of it dates back to 1342.

It was the only water point in the village until 1956, when running water was finally installed in homes.

The water from the fountain was reserved for everyday consumption, and washing clothes was forbidden.

To wash clothes, the villagers had to go down to the wash-house at the very bottom of the village (Fontaine-Basse district).

The church

The church of St. Firmin stands on the foundations of an old church from the 13th century, rebuilt in the 18th century and dedicated to St. Firmin.

The square tower, which probably dates from the 14th century, serves as a bell tower. It was perhaps a former belfry and has the particularity of having an external staircase that leads nowhere. This curiosity seems to indicate that another building was once attached to it.

The interior is noteworthy for its woodwork and colourful murals.

The views

The upper part of the village offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. You will admire the wide Cavalon valley, the hilltop villages of Roussillon and Bonnieux in the distance and the Luberon mountain, which closes the horizon to the south.

The calade streets

Several calade streets (Provençal word for stone-paved alleys) lead from the castle square to the remains of the old fortifications, including the Porte de Savoie (first mentioned in 1540), as well as several private mansions (Hôtel Pluvinal, Maison André Lhote, the Saint-Jacques chaplaincy, etc.).

The steps of the calades made it easier for the donkeys and mules, which were very numerous in Gordes, to get around, as they were the only means of transporting heavy loads in the sloping streets.

The Porte de Savoie

The "Porte de Savoie" stands as the village's sole fortified gate remaining from the Middle Ages, marking one of the principal entries into Gordes.

To truly appreciate its significance, it's recommended to view it from its "Campagne" side, meaning from outside the medieval village boundaries.

The gate is named after the allegiance the Agoult Simiane family pledged to Béatrice de Savoie, the Countess of Forcalquier, during her mid-13th-century conflict with her son-in-law, Charles of Anjou.

Beatrice of Savoy never recognized the French king's sovereignty over her territories.

Eventually, Charles of Anjou, who was the brother of King Saint-Louis of France, married Beatrice's daughter and thus came to inherit Provence.

The region remained under the control of the Anjou family for two centuries until Gordes, along with the county of Provence, became part of the kingdom of France in 1481 following King René's death.

The Aumonerie Saint-Jacques

Approaching from the Porte de Savoie and passing through a covered walkway, you'll discover on your left the ancient Aumonerie Saint-Jacques building.

The 14th-century Saint-Jacques chaplaincy features a large pointed porch and includes a vast rectangular room with three bays.

The edifice once served as a hostel for pilgrims journeying to Santiago de Compostela, offering them a place to rest for the night under the protection of the village ramparts.

However, to find refuge here, they were required to ascend to the village's summit.

Interestingly, most pilgrims chose not to divert from their path, opting instead to continue their journey through the Calavon valley on the Via Domitia, the historic route connecting Italy to Spain.

The Cave of the Palais Saint-Firmin

The Saint-Firmin Palace cellars in Gordes are a fascinating must-visit destination! A Historical Monument, the site blends man-made structures with natural rock formations, offering a dive into the hidden history of Gordes. Visitors can explore remnants of medieval craftsmanship, such as an olive oil mill and storage silos, revealing a glimpse into the village's past.

After decades of excavation, parts of this underground world have been made accessible. The cellars, nestled beneath a grand Renaissance house, showcase a vast network revealing Gordes' rich artisanal history across about fifty interconnected chambers. These include oil mills, cisterns, and a magnificent bread oven, epitomising the village's ancient lifestyle.

Three levels highlight the ingenuity of medieval architecture, harmoniously blending stone and carved rock, and showcasing a variety of styles from the 11th to the 18th centuries. Notably, during the 16th-century, these cellars provided refuge during conflicts, emphasizing their historical significance.

For further details, check out the official website.

The Fontaine Basse District

The "Bas de Gordes" or Lower Gordes, nestled at the village's base, is affectionately known as the "Quartier de Fontaine Basse", the district of the lower fountain.

This tranquil part of Gordes, reminiscent of a forgotten village, is adorned with stone houses, hidden gardens, and the fragrance of fig trees.

👉 Discover the Fontaine Basse District on the blog

Historically, the abundance of water made this district the village's economic hub from the 18th to the early 20th century. It was a thriving center for tanneries, craftsmen, a silk spinning mill, shopkeepers, and cafés. Unfortunately, earthquakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, followed by German bombings in 1944, led to its decline.

The Vieux-Lavoir

This unique fountain-wash house, backing onto the cliff, was sourced directly from four springs.

Its design was aimed at preventing bacterial spread and providing ample washing space. It was last used in 1957, marking the end of an era but still standing as a testament to past village life.

Watch my guided walk of Gordes

A 37-minute video that starts at the Parking de la Gendarmerie (Place René Cassin) and passes by the Bel Air Belvedere, the district of Fountaine-Basse before ascending to the top of the village (church and castle).

A few anecdotes about Gordes

Gordes and the Resistance

During the Second World War, Gordes was an important site for the Resistance.

On the 21st of August 1944, a week after the landings on the coasts of Provence, a German patrol was severely hounded by the French Resistance fighters.

The following day, the village fell victim to violent reprisals. The Germans set up cannons on the Bel Air rock to bombard the village.

These bombardments destroyed a dozen houses, while several others were blown and then set on fire, mainly at the entrances to the town to block the crossroads and slow down any pursuers.

In all, twenty buildings were destroyed due to reprisals or acts of war.
Thirteen people from Gordes were killed or executed during the Second World War.

It is said that the intervention of a monk from the Abbey of Sénanque with the Kommandantur prevented even more severe violence.

Three days later, on the 25th of August 1944, the FFI (French Forces of the Interior) regained control of the area, and the département of Vaucluse was liberated.

Crucial building standards

Building standards are rigorous throughout the commune. Stone is omnipresent, and any new construction must respect the traditional use of stone, in addition to burying electricity and telephone lines.

This commitment to building in stone comes with other obligations, such as using canal tiles for the roofs, the substantial height limitation, the respect for specific paraseismic building standards, etc.

Vultures in Gordes!

Many vultures and predatory birds can be seen, and typical Mediterranean forests (with many oaks with truffles growing beneath) around Gordes will delight walkers and nature lovers.

An artists' den

Since the post-war period, the village has attracted more and more artists, including Marc Chagall and Jean Deyrolle. The latter discovered the village in 1947 and brought many of his friends (Serge Poliakoff, Vasarely, Dewasne, etc.).

Gordes also used to have a critical silkworm breeding industry and the usual Luberon activities around olive trees and leather.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Provence

The spectacular hilltop village of Gordes is nicknamed the Saint-Germain-des-Prés of Provence because of its similarities to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district in Paris.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is an emblematic district on the left bank of the Seine in Paris, famous for its artistic atmosphere, cultural life and elegance.

And then, the Parisian patisserie LaDurée, famous for its macarons, opened its only shop in Provence ( not including the French Riviera). You'll find it prominently displayed in the village square. 

In 1988, the newspaper Libération wrote that Gordes was "less showbiz than Cannes but more intellectual than Deauville, where the political and literary Parisian elite meets up".

This glowing comparison evokes both places' charm, sophistication and quality of life. 

Like Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, Gordes in Provence is renowned for its timeless charm, picturesque architecture, art galleries, artisan boutiques, open-air cafés and refined lifestyle.

Both places attract visitors looking for a quality cultural, artistic and gastronomic experience.

The narrow cobbled streets, well-preserved stone houses and warm atmosphere of Gordes are reminiscent of the historic character of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. 

In addition, Gordes' spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and idyllic landscapes add to its appeal, as do the lively cafés and art galleries of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris.

The "Monkey Rock" of Gordes

The Rocher de Bel Air provides the most stunning viewpoint over Gordes, often hailed as the Acropolis of Provence for its breathtaking elevation and beauty.

This spot is among the most photographed in both Provence and France, gracing the pages of numerous tourist brochures, magazines, coffee-table books, and featuring prominently on social media platforms like Instagram.

The vista is magnificent at any hour, yet to capture the village bathed in sunlight, an afternoon visit is essential.

Locally, some refer to this place as "the monkey rock." This nickname stems from the summer ritual of international visitors briefly alighting from their coaches to snap a quick photo before returning, often without venturing further into the village.

Conveniently, there's no need to trek 600 metres from the Gendarmerie car park to enjoy this view, thanks to a nearby parking area. However, spaces are limited, making parking a challenge during summer or on weekends.

Additionally, while this parking is complimentary, there's a 5-minute limit on stays. At the car park's end, turning left onto Chemin de Bel Air is advisable.

By choosing to walk towards the Fontaine Basse district, you'll discover more spectacular perspectives of the hilltop village, surpassing the fleeting glimpses caught by coach-bound tourists.

What to see around Gordes

The commune of Gordes boasts some amazing sites to see, including the romantic abbey of Sénanque and the curious Bories.

The Abbey of Sénanque

There are three renowned Cistercian abbeys in Provence: Sénanque, Silvacane and Thoronet. The Cistercians are a Roman Catholic order with very strict rules of obedience.

A very old abbey

The abbey of Sénanque (Abbaye de Sénanque) in Gordes was founded in 1148 and is still occupied by monks. It became prosperous so fast that in 1152 a second abbey was built in the Languedoc. This prosperity was mainly due to donations from the Simiane dynasty and the Lords from Venasque.

In the 14th century, the abbey went into a period of decadence during which the riches accumulated over the years were hardly compatible with the vow of poverty taken by the monks.

In 1544, monks were hanged during the wars of religion, with the monastery burnt down and the lay building wholly destroyed.

By the end of the 17th century, only two religious people remained in the abbey.

During the French Revolution, it was sold as a national possession to a purchaser who not only preserved but consolidated the edifices.

In 1854 the domain was bought by a clergyman, and its original vocation was restored: new buildings were built, and 72 monks settled back there.

An abbey open to the public

Nowadays, several parts are open to the public, such as the cloisters and the capitulary room (where the religious community gathers). A souvenir shop was opened at the garden level to sell books.

The return of the monks

The Cistercian monks came back to Sénanque in 1988.

Saint Bernard de Cîteaux inspires the Cistercian order and strictly follows the Rule of Saint Benedict: isolation, poverty, and simplicity, which is believed to be the only path to bliss.

These values are translated into rough living conditions for the monks: service, prayer, pious reading and manual work.

Rest periods are never over 7 hours, meals are frugal and to be taken in silence, and the monks sleep fully dressed in shared dormitories.

The abbey's business 

The business of the abbey’s inhabitants is the cultivation of lavender from which they make extracts and honey. The monks also sell religious books and products from other abbeys. In addition, the visits to the abbey are another source of revenue.

Although their primary source of food is the vegetables they plant, and they also offer hospitality to people wishing to share the prayer life of the community.

Interestingly, there have only been two baptisms in the last century and only one wedding in the whole history of the abbey.

The Village des Bories

The village des Bories is 3 km away from Gordes and comprises approximately 20 dry rock cabins for pastoral and seasonal agricultural use.

Bought and restored from 1969 to 1976 upon the initiative of Pierre Viala, the Village des Bories was classified as a historical monument on 17 October 1977.

The 'cabanes' 

They were called “cabanes” in the Napoleonic era and only got the name “Borie” during the second half of the 20th century. The huts date back to the 17th and 18th centuries when the land on which they stand was cleared, and many rocks were discovered. Various remains were found: ceramics, money, bronze objects and flint.

The Bories are made from flat limestone rocks between 10 and 15 cm thick, called “lauses” or “clapes” in the local vernacular. Most were either seasonal or permanent homes or stables, barns, sheepfolds, henhouses, sheds, silkworm nurseries, etc.

An agricultural role 

Their roles were essentially agricultural; their location indicates this on ancient olive and almond plantations and vineyards. They could have belonged to people, not inhabitants of Gordes but who had land in the area. The site is open to visitors. 

Find out more about Gordes

How to get to Gordes

The main access road to Gordes is the D2 road from Cavaillon and then the D15 road, which continues north to Murs after passing through the village.

This road gives access to the famous belvedere of Bel-Air, where you can admire a fantastic view of the village.

Gordes is about 38 kilometres (24 miles) east of Avignon and its TGV station, 75 kilometres (47 miles) from Marseille Provence airport and 87 kilometres (54 miles) from Marseille.

The nearest train stations are at L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Cavaillon.

Holiday accommodation in Gordes

Gordes has a high capacity for holiday accommodation. The commune has several hotels, including two five-star hotels, many bed and breakfasts (covering all price ranges), several estate agencies offering seasonal rentals, gîtes and a campsite.

Click here to book your accommodation in the Luberon or browse the map below:

Shops and restaurants in Gordes

Here is a list of shops and restaurants in Gordes. Please note that this list is indicative and may change over time.

On the blog and other websites

Here are some pages from our blog and other websites to find out more about this Provencal destination.

• Explore the Fontaine Basse District: A Hidden Gem in Gordes
• Discover the hilltop villages of the Luberon
• Find out more about Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
• The official tourist office of the area

What to do in the Luberon

Be inspired by a list of things to do in the Luberon:

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