Cabrières-D'avignon combines a varied landscape with distinctive traces of history. The cultivated Calavon plain meets garrigue, bories and dry-stone walls. There are also the small Cédraie, the Mur de la Peste, the Château de Cabrières and the Musée de la Lavande Luberon. This lets you get to know the village from different perspectives: through its landscape and wildlife, its architectural history or the traditions of lavender.
Landscape and Dry Stone
The small Cédraie de Cabrières-d’Avignon is home to Atlas cedars originating in the mountains of the Maghreb. These cedars were introduced from 1860 as part of the reforestation of southern France. The planting thus links a specific tree species with the history of reforestation in the south of France. In the landscape of Cabrières-D'avignon, the cedars stand alongside the cultivated Calavon plain, garrigue, bories and dry-stone walls—different features that shape the character of the village.
The Mur de la Peste connects architectural history with nature. Built in 1720, the dry-stone wall was intended to protect the Comtat Venaissin from the plague epidemic coming from Marseille. At the same time, the Mur de la Peste near Cabrières-d’Avignon provides a refuge for numerous animal species. Its history is therefore one of the protective role the structure was intended to serve; its present-day importance as a refuge for animals adds another perspective to this historical view.
Château de Cabrières: History and Visits
The Château de Cabrières dates from the 11th or 12th century. In spring 1545, it served as a refuge for the Vaudois. These two dates place its history across a long period: its origins reach back to the Middle Ages, while its use as a refuge refers to a specific moment in spring 1545.
Certain parts of the château were listed as a historic monument by decree dated 23 April 1979. The protected areas include the façades and roofs, two vaulted rooms on the first and second floors of the west tower, and the perimeter wall with its corner towers. The château is privately owned and can only be visited during the Journées du Patrimoine in September. If you are planning a visit, confirm access before your trip.
Lavender History at the Museum
The Musée de la Lavande Luberon preserves Provençal lavender know-how. Its collection includes red-copper stills for lavender, dating from 1626 to the present day. Other objects document the history, traditions and culture of lavender. If you are particularly interested in the equipment, you will find a direct way to explore the collection here; the additional objects broaden the perspective to include the wider cultural context.
The museum offers an immersive visitor experience with an audio guide, projections, guided tours, activities and creative workshops. Some activities may vary seasonally. There are different ways to visit: you can explore the exhibits using the audio guide and projections, or take part in a guided tour, an activity or a creative workshop. Check which seasonal activities are available before your trip.
Visit Timing and Accommodation
A visit to the château requires the September dates of the Journées du Patrimoine; individual activities at the Musée de la Lavande Luberon may vary seasonally. If one of these events is a key part of your stay, take the relevant dates into account when planning and confirm in advance whether the château can be visited.
Discover more destinations: Velleron, Villes-Sur-Auzon, Sivergues, Beaumont-De-Pertuis, Saint-Léger-Du-Ventoux, Mazan, Mormoiron, Saint-Trinit.
See the regional travel overview: Vaucluse.
