Lafare is a starting point for numerous hikes and climbing areas in the Dentelles de Montmirail massif; the trails pass through vineyards and pine forests. When looking for a hotel in Lafare, consider whether you’d like to focus your stay mainly on hiking, climbing, wine tasting or sacred art.
Scenery and nature around Lafare
The elevated village lies at the foot of a hill in the heart of the Dentelles de Montmirail. To the north and west, wooded hills rise towards the ridges of the Dentelles de Montmirail and the Dentelles Sarrasines, as well as the cliffs of La Salle. Near Lafare, the Les Dentelles natural area features black Oxfordian marl, cliff faces, rock bands and steep scree gullies.
The Les Dentelles ZNIEFF includes the municipality of Lafare. The June 2024 edition of the INPN lists an area of 384.8 hectares and identifies eight animal species requiring special protection. These include one of the rare breeding pairs of Egyptian vultures outside the Luberon and the Vaucluse Mountains.
The Cascade Saint-Christophe is one of the few waterfalls in the Vaucluse department and flows between two cliff faces in a well-known climbing area. A footpath leads to the Cascade Saint-Christophe in about five minutes. Check trail conditions before visiting.
Hiking and climbing
One specific hiking option is the challenging Dentelles de Montmirail circuit: the 17-kilometre loop can start in Lafare. There are also numerous other hikes; the trails pass through vineyards and pine forests. Before setting out, check trail conditions and applicable regulations, as these may change.
The Rocher Saint-Christophe climbing sector in Lafare reaches a maximum height of 70 metres, faces west and offers routes graded from 3b to 8b. As technical information may change when routes are updated, check the latest route details before climbing.
Vineyard walk with tasting
Domaine de Cassan in Lafare offers a one-hour vineyard walk with tasting for groups of two to twelve people. The experience includes an aperitif basket and bottles. The walk takes you into the vineyards of Beaumes-de-Venise and Gigondas; the Domaine is located in Lafare.
The walk with tasting must be reserved five days in advance.
Church and chapel
The Church of Saint-Sixte contains a painted ceiling in the sacristy and two polychrome wooden statues: one of the Virgin Mary and one of Saint Christopher. There is also an 18th-century painting depicting the Virgin Mary, Saint Christopher and Saint Roch.
The Chapel of Saint-Christophe adds to these sacred buildings with its preserved, simple stone altar. The chapel measures 12.30 metres in length and 4.90 metres in width on the outside.
Discover more destinations: Loriol-Du-Comtat, Uchaux, Gordes, Merindol, Saumane-De-Vaucluse, Venasque, Saint-Léger-Du-Ventoux, Jonquières.
For the regional travel overview: Vaucluse.
