Monieux, Provence

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.

The village tourist office organises arts and craft fair and various exhibitions throughout the year, and in September & October the village plays host to the Festival Ventoux Saveurs, which celebrates local produce and goods from across the Ventoux region. There is also an annual medieval festival here on the first Sunday in September which celebrates the spelt harvest. 

You can cycle, mountain bike or hike around the beautiful Gorges de la Nesque which is just down the road and easily accessible from Monieux.

A little further up hill from the village is the Saint-Roch chapel which dates from the 12th century.

There is a fishing lake nearby, the Plan d'eau de Monieux, where you can grab a snack but sadly not take a dip - head to the municipal pool in Sault if you fancy a swim - the river Nesque feeds this lake and continues on down into the gorges. 

Since Monieux is so small it probably comes as no surprise that there's only one place to eat here. 

Monieux village can be found on the main road (D492) to Sault which you can reach in around 10 minutes by car. If you're heading here from Carpentras it will take around 45 minutes along the same main road.