Taillades: Discover a Curious Village in the Quarries

I have a confession to make: until our last trip to Provence, I had never heard of Taillades.

It was during a routine grocery run while browsing the local supermarket that I stumbled upon a poster advertising this incredible site.

Intrigued by the images of dramatic rocky promontories and historic charm, I knew we had to visit.

Nestled at the foot of the Petit Luberon mountain, just 25 km from Avignon and 4 km east of Cavaillon, Taillades turned out to be a hidden gem.

This quaint village quickly captured our hearts with its unique blend of natural beauty and rich history.

As we explored its ancient streets, we discovered the fascinating story of its stone quarries and the vibrant cultural scene that now thrives in this picturesque setting.

Join me as I share our journey through Taillades, a place that went from being an unknown name on a poster to one of our most cherished memories of Provence.

Watch this short video on the Luberon!

Plan your trip

Taillades: A Bit of History

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

The Quarries of Taillades

The history of Taillades is intertwined with the quarries and the quarrymen who shaped the village as it appears today.

Indeed, the quarry is a testament to a past where stone sustained the villagers of Taillades from the Middle Ages until the late 19th century.

In the past, the stone provided a livelihood for the people of this area.

The quarries were dug into yellow limestone.

In 1873, there were 12 quarries in and around the village.

At their peak, the quarries provided employment for up to 11% of the village's working population.

Quarrying activities ceased around 1925.

The stone was extracted while preserving the access road at the top of the village we follow, reinforcing its defensive system.

It was mainly the exploitation during the 19th century that gave the site its spectacular mineral appearance.

The New Village of Taillades

It was after this period that the village expanded towards the plain and the Carpentras canal, which opened up new economic prospects.

Today, Taillades is a commune of nearly 2,000 inhabitants.

The newer part of the commune includes small shops, the post office, the school, and residential areas.

Where does the name of Taillades come from?

Two theories explain the name of the village of Taillades.

It either comes from the stone cutting activity, “tailler” meaning to cut.

Or from the Latin "Tailladae," meaning "village built on a rock."

The Discovery Guide of Taillades

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

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

Understanding the Village

Taillades lies 25 km from Avignon and 4 km east of Cavaillon, in a quaint little village nestled at the foot of the Petit Luberon mountain.

This small village is well worth a visit for its unusual and spectacular site.

The historic village is dominated by two rocky promontories, worn away over the centuries for their stone quarries.

On one promontory stands the church, and on the other, a medieval tower.

The Village Walk of Taillades

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

The Entrance to the old Village

Follow the Rue de l’Église, which ascends through the quarry.

You are now entering the old part of the village.

To the left stands the medieval tower, emerging from a rocky peak around which all the stone has been quarried.

The Morvelous and Saint-Véran

At the entrance to the old village, we are greeted by the "Morvelous."

This is a very worn bas-relief representation of Saint Véran, carved directly into the rock.

Saint Véran was the first bishop of Cavaillon.

He is known for having rid the Luberon of the horrible Coulobre, a dragon that terrorised the entire region from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.

So, one might think of Marvellous in English, but to the locals, it is Morveux or snotty, which is not very flattering.

The Castle

On the left is a view of the castle, whose current building dates from the 18th century.

The Viewpoint

Ascend the Rue de l'Église until you reach the viewpoint.

The street overlooks the void created by the quarries on either side, giving the area a fascinating character.

Near the top of the street is one of the most beautiful panoramas in the region, encompassing the village and the plain from Cavaillon to Mont Ventoux, including the Dentelles de Montmirail.

In the distance, you can make out the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The church, also perched on a rocky stump, has likewise escaped the stone exploitation.

The Saint-Trophime Church dates back to the 18th century.

Opposite, there is access to a small terrace offering another beautiful view of the entire quarry site.

The Théâtre des Carrières

This quarry in the heart of the old village has become the Théâtre des Carrières, where numerous shows are performed each summer: theatre, dance, jazz and classical music concerts.

Rue des Carrières

The Rue de l’Église is a dead end, and we need to turn around to return to our starting point.

To return to the Place de la Mairie, take a small detour via the Rue des Carrières.

This will allow you to find the entrance to the quarries.

Moulin Saint-Pierre

400 metres north of the old village is the Carpentras Canal. Here, you will find the beautiful Saint-Pierre water mill.

Built in 1859, it was originally used for processing rose madder (garance, in French), a plant that produces bright red dye.

From 1874 to 1881, it became a flour mill.

The mill has been owned by the commune of Taillades since 1981. Its large water wheel, the biggest in Vaucluse, has 24 paddles.

The water wheel has a diameter of 8 metres and a width of 6 metres.

The wheel used to power the millstones with energy from the Carpentras Canal.

Today, it turns without any load but remains a symbol of Taillades' industrial past.

The wheel reflects in the old canal, lined with a stunning row of century-old plane trees.

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 Maubec and Oppède
• Find out more about Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
• The official tourist office of the area

Where to stay near Taillades

Taillades 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:

Pin Taillades on Pinterest