Take a visit to the plague wall, a piece of history worth contemplation. About 20km long, it went from Monieux to Cabrières passing through Methamis, Venasque, Le Beaucet, Saumane and Lagnes. Its function, to protect the Comtat Venaissin from the plague that struck Marseille and parts of Provence in 1720-22.
Built in just a few months between March and July 1721 by 500 men, masons and labourers, this dry stone 2m high barrier had watchtowers, guard-houses, food and fodder supply storehouses. It was guarded by 1,000 French troops who had orders to shoot anybody crossing the wall without permission.
The wall fulfilled its function and the Comtat villages were spared. When the disease became extinct in January 1723, the wall was forgotten and its stones were reused for other constructions. Today it's registered under Historic Monuments and is subject to regular restoration projects. A hiking path runs along it that can be explored in its entirety or just in certain parts.