Séguret, Provence

Roman remains have been found in the fields surrounding the village. A 3m statue of a Roman god with an eagle at his feet and his hand on a wheel was found in 1876, along with a god of the forests holding a flute. Both statues are now in Avignon, but the village still holds onto a statue of another forest god in the Chapelle Sainte Thècle.

You'll need to park your cark just before the village entrance and then it's a short walk up to the 14th century walls and 12th century archway where the village begins. The charming cobbled lanes lead past ancient stone houses, and there are fountains aplenty. When you reach the 17th century gargoyle fountain you'll know you've reached the centre of the village - it's really not that big. The clock tower and belfry also dates from the 17th century.

The Chapelle Sainte Thècle is also located in the middle of the village. Built in the 18th century by the Roman Catholic fraternity of White Penitents, it was and is still used as a meeting place and exhibition space.

Continue up through the village to the top where the church is, and enjoy outstanding views of the surrounding countryside. The church itself, Saint Denis, is Romanesque in style and was built from the 10th - 12th centuries - its bell tower is from the 14th century.

A ruined castle sits on top of the hill above the village. It was built in the 11th century by the Count of Toulouse in his attempt to wrestle control from the papal Comtat Vénaissin. If you head from the village back towards the car park, and follow signs to the castle, you'll find a steep, rocky path that takes you to the top of the hill and the ruins of the castle - allow 20-30 minutes.

You'll find a small number of art galleries in amongst the alleyways, and one or two gift shops featuring santons (religious figurines). There are a couple of cafés and restaurants within the village for refreshments.

There is an artists workshop in the village, that offers a place for artists to base themselves during the summer months to practise their art. Painters, graphic artists, photographers and sculptors are catered for.

And of course, there are the vineyards. Seguret has been a centre for wine making for hundreds of years and is part of the AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages appellation. Most of the red wine is created using Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grapes; white and rose wine are also made here. The majority of the vineyards in the area are open to the public for tasting and sales during the week (avoid lunchtimes when they close).

Hiking and cycling are popular in the surrounding countryside. There are hiking trails to the east of the village and the GR4 hiking trail (Mondragon to Simiane la Rotonde) passes right through the village. A 25km circular mountain biking trail from Seguret to Vaison is a great way to enjoy the countryside of the Dentelles mountains.