Mirabeau lies on the banks of the Durance and is part of the Luberon Regional Natural Park. Its history is brought to life through very different landmarks: the origins of the village at the foot of a fortified rocky spur, historic structures by the river, and the former use of a winch to help boats cross. There are also wine tastings, a running event, climbing and a long-distance hiking route. You can shape your stay around culture, wine or outdoor activities.
Chapel, château and local history
The Château de Mirabeau dates back to the origins of the village: Mirabeau developed at the foot of a fortified rocky spur. The château is privately owned and is not normally open to visitors. Once a year, the owners open the château courtyard to the public for an evening musical event. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the dates in advance; the annual programme should be confirmed.
The Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine stands on the banks of the Durance, near the Pont de Mirabeau and at the entrance to the Défilé de Canteperdrix. It was probably built between 1165 and 1178. It was listed as a historic monument in 1928 and restored in 1948. Its construction therefore predates its later listing and restoration by a considerable margin, with twenty years between the latter two.
The town’s cultural profile also includes film history: in 1985, Mirabeau served as a filming location for Claude Berri’s film Manon des sources.
Bridge, fountain and church
The Défilé de Canteperdrix, also known as the Défilé de Mirabeau, is a narrowing of the Durance valley between Mirabeau and Jouques. Here, the Durance flows between steep limestone cliffs. The surviving Neo-Romanesque portals of the Pont de Mirabeau suspension bridge were added to the supplementary inventory of historic monuments in 1988.
Another trace of the river’s history is the Cabestan du port de Mirabeau. This vertical-axis winch was once used to help boats cross the Durance when the current was too strong. At the Place de la Fontaine, a different architectural detail can be seen: the circular basin features spouting tritons, a square pier, a cylindrical column and a spherical finial.
The oldest parts of the Saint-Pierre Church date from the 12th century. In August 2021, the church was closed; visitors could collect the key from the town hall. Before your visit, check whether this is still possible.
Wine, trails and events
The Château de Clapier in Mirabeau offers wine tastings, self-guided visits with a treasure hunt, and guided tours for groups. Its former cellar contains twelve 19th-century wine barrels. This links the wine experience to a specific historical feature of the estate.
The GR9 runs from Mirabeau to Cucuron over the ridges of the Luberon and is 45 km long. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they can vary. Pont-Mirabeau in Mirabeau is a sport climbing area with 30 routes graded from 4c to 6b. The number of routes and their grades may change; check conditions before climbing. The two activities also differ in how they are measured: for the GR9, it is the route and distance; for climbing, the number of routes and their grades.
Les Grands Jardins provide space for picnics and for children to play. The Foulées de Mirabeau is a recurring running event: the fourth edition took place in 2024 and the fifth in 2025. If you would like to plan your trip around the race, check the dates for the relevant edition.
Discover more destinations: Gordes, Auribeau, Vaugines, Mondragon, Valreas, Fontaine-De-Vaucluse, MĂ©thamis, Monteux
For the regional travel overview: Vaucluse.
