© vaucluse visites
© VV
Gargas, Provence
A small village in the heart of the Luberon
Gargas is a small village that sits between three low lying hills and since the Provençal word for hill is 'gargan', you can see why the village got its name.
What Gargas is probably most famous for is its production of ochre which has been taking place in the village since the 1800's. To this day you can see a few mines dug into the surrounding hillsides and there are some old mines in the area, plus a permanent exhibition in the village where you can learn more about the industry.
History & Culture in [locality]
The village's history stretches back to the stone age and as well evidence in the hill above the village of fossils from the cretaceous period.
Thanks to these fossils and the rich plants and animal life found here, the site has been given UNESCO biosphere reserve status to ensure that it's protected for future generations.
Sights & Attractions in [locality]
On the summit of the hill above the village are the remains of a a fortification which was occupied up to the 1st century and a small Romanesque chapel which was built in the 1500's.
Surrounding the village are lots of vineyards of the Côtes de Ventoux appelation and there are also a few ochre quarries and mines in the area, but not all of them are open to visitors - check with the tourist office if you're interested in going to see one.
Nearby you can also visit the museum of Chandeliers, Mathieu Lustrerie just on the western side of the village.
Luxury Hotels in [locality]
A small luxury hotel with spa, La Coquillade, with its own vineyard can also be found here. It also has a gastronomic restaurant that's open to non guests.
Directions
Gargas lies to the east of Cavaillon around 30km away and can be reached via the D900 in around 35 minutes. To get here from Avignon it's around 60 km and takes at least an hour by car.
