Lagnes: Discover a Historic Village in Provence

In the autumn of 2023, we finally had the opportunity to visit the picturesque village of Lagnes, a place we had often heard about and seen in tourist brochures.

Despite our long-standing curiosity, this was our first time exploring this hidden gem in the Vaucluse region of Provence.

Lagnes immediately captivated us with its charming ambiance and rich history.

Nestled at the foot of the Monts de Vaucluse, the village boasts narrow, winding streets lined with ancient houses from the 16th and 17th centuries.

One of the highlights of our visit was the delightful Place de la Fontaine, where a quaint fountain and a café with a true Provençal atmosphere offered a perfect spot to relax and soak in the local charm.

Another unforgettable experience was the breathtaking view from the Pieï hill. 

The panorama over the Sorgue plain, with distant glimpses of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Cavaillon, and Avignon, left us in awe.

The serene beauty of Lagnes, combined with its fascinating historical landmarks like the Church of Our Lady of the Angels and the medieval ramparts of the castle, made our visit truly special.

Lagnes has a unique blend of natural beauty and historical richness, and it quickly became one of our favourite spots in Provence.

Whether you're wandering through its picturesque streets or admiring the stunning vistas, Lagnes offers an enchanting escape into the heart of the French countryside.

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Lagnes: A Bit of History

Let’s step back in time as we recall the storied past of Lagnes.

Lagnes in Ancient Times

The territory of Lagnes was occupied by the Romans.

Thus, some think it was the owner of a Roman villa who gave his name to Lagnes.

For others, the origin of the name Lagnes could come from the word "laine" (wool), from the Latin "Lanéo".

Indeed, sheep farming was one of the main resources of its inhabitants.

In the Middle Ages

In 1154, Lagnes was mentioned under the name Lagnas.

In the Middle Ages, Lagnes was under the rule of the Counts of Toulouse and the Counts of Forcalquier.

From 1295 to 1791, it was part of the Comtat Venaissin and was papal territory.

It was only in 1791 that Lagnes and the Comtat Venaissin became part of France.

The Discovery Guide of Lagnes

Here's some tourist information to help you explore the Provencal village.

🎦 Check out my guided walk on YouTube to explore Lagnes with me:

Understanding the Village

Lagnes is a commune in Vaucluse with about 1,700 inhabitants, located less than 30 km from Avignon.

The village is situated on the southwestern tip of the Monts de Vaucluse and is built in tiers at the foot of a small hill, the Rocher du Pieï.

To the west of the area lies the vast Sorgue plain.

The Village Walk of Lagnes

Let's begin our exploration of Lagnes from the Place de la Mairie, where you can easily park your car.

Lagnes' oldest fountain

From the Place de la Mairie, go up the Rue de la République to reach the old village.

You will come across a beautiful fountain, topped with the coat of arms of Lagnes.

The two keys are the symbolic arms of papal authority dating back to 1693.

The villagers long suffered from water shortages and had to fetch water from the Sorgue, a river more than a kilometre away from the village.

This fountain from 1812 is the village’s first but it did not function properly.

Its flow was always irregular and could even dry up in the height of summer.

A second fountain was built in 1890 near the church.

It was not until 1898 that water, pumped and stored in a reservoir, was distributed to seven taps spread throughout the village.

Place du Bataillet

At the square, let's turn left to reach the Place du Bataillet.

From here, we have a lovely view of the Church of Notre Dame des Anges and its bell tower.

Rocher du Pieï

From there, the path climbs to a hill overlooking the village.

This is the Pieï hill or Rocher du Pieï, marked by a cross.

The panorama is superb and allows us to see the Sorgue plain, the towns of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Cavaillon, and Avignon.

We can also spot the Alpilles on the horizon and, on a clear day, the Cévennes.

Place de la Fontaine and the Church

Walk back to the village, passed the Place du Bataillet and head to the Place de la Fontaine.

The square is adorned with a lovely fountain at its centre.

There is the war memorial and the church portal with its Greek pediment.

The church was completed in 1612, and the bell tower was built in 1746.

In 1844, as it threatened to collapse, it was demolished except for the bell tower and rebuilt in a style inspired by Romanesque architecture.

The Lagnes Belfry

From the square, you can see the belfry of Lagnes, the “beffroi de l’horloge”.

We will pass by it and take the Rue Venteuse, which crosses the old village.

It is a real pleasure to stroll through the narrow streets lined with old houses from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Rue Venteuse takes its name from the wind and means "the street where the wind blows".

The Lagnes Castle

We are now walking along the impressive walls of the castle, which was built on a rocky hill.

It actually consists of two residences, which belonged to the co-lords Cambis and Fortia.

The southern residence is the oldest and likely dates from the late 11th century.

These two residences are separated by a large central courtyard, in which stands the 12th-century Saint-Antoine chapel.

The castle underwent several modifications and additions in the 16th and 17th centuries.

This is evident from Renaissance elements, such as mullioned windows.

The castle is not open to the public as it is privately owned.

The Reservoir Vista

You will then arrive at the reservoir, from where there is a beautiful view of the plain and the surroundings of Avignon.

Descend to the intersection with the Rue du Bariot.

On the right, we follow the old rampart in which houses have been built.

The tower we see here was one of the five round towers the fortified village had in the Middle Ages.

You are back at the charming Place de la Fontaine with its café that has such a Provençal atmosphere.

More photos of Lagnes

Find out more

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

• Discover the hilltop villages of the Luberon
• Explore the neighbouring villages of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Cabrières d'Avignon and Gordes
• Find out more about Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
• The official tourist office of the area

Where to stay near Lagnes

Lagnes and surroundings have a high capacity for holiday accommodation. The commune and its surroundings has hotels, bed and breakfasts (covering all price ranges), estate agencies offering seasonal rentals and gîtes.

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

What to do in the Luberon

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

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