Gigondas, Provence

A small village made famous thanks to its wine production

featured in Towns & villages Updated 30 June 2023

This little hilltop village is surrounded by around 1,300 hectares of vineyards, the reason that most people may have come across its name.

Home to around 700 inhabitants, the ruins of a medieval castle and church overlook the houses below.

Gigondas has been lovingly looked after by a local association of volunteers, making sure that any restorations and repairs are in keeping with the local heritage and style of the buildings already there, some of which date back to the 1600's.

Wine is believed to have been cultivated in Gigondas for around 2,000 years and back in 1971 it was the first region to gain the “Cru des Côtes du Rhône” appellation. Its full bodied and robust flavour is what makes it so popular, and its definitely on our list of favourites.

History & Culture in [locality]

There are a few theories about how Gigondas got its name, but in Roman times it was called "Jocunditas" meaning jubilation or joy, which we like to think goes hand in hand with drinking its wine.

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Sights & Attractions in [locality]

Saint Catherine's church at the top of the village dates back to the 11th century and has a charming little bell tower and sundial on the outer wall.

You can also see the remains of a medieval castle and its fortifications a little further up the hill.

Dotted around the village are around 20 sculptures by different contemporary artists, and if this sort of art is to your liking, you can see more in an exhibit in the upper floors of the old hospice next to the church.

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Events in [locality]

From May to October you'll find a small number of events taking place in the village, with free guided tours of the village in July and August.

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The infamous mountains of the Dentelles de Montmirail are easily visible from here, with their jagged peaks rising above the vineyards. It's a popular place to go climbing, hiking and mountain biking. You can of course enjoy wine tasting here in one of the many shops in the village.

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Dining in [locality]

There are a small number of cafés and restaurants in the village where you can stop for lunch or dinner, mainly around the small village square.

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Directions

Gigondas lies around 45 minutes drive north east from Avignon and around 1h40 north west of Aix en Provence. The closest large town to the village is Orange which lies to the west and which can be reached in around 25 minutes by car. Park your car at the foot of the village and walk up to get to the main square and a handful of wine shops and cafés.