Saumane-De-Vaucluse is a village perched on a rocky outcrop at the entrance to the Monts de Vaucluse, overlooking the Sorgues area. The slopes show how closely the landscape is tied to its past uses: from the 12th century onwards, dry-stone terraces were built without mortar on the slopes of the two valleys and planted with olive trees. There are also bories, whose function varied according to their size. Small dry-stone huts served as agricultural shelters, while larger structures were used as sheepfolds. The caves known as baumes are also part of this landscape. Erosion shaped them in the rock; they have been inhabited since the Neolithic period and were later developed into cave dwellings. Those interested in traces of life in a dry, hilly landscape will encounter different forms of land use here: terracing, agricultural structures and homes carved into rock.
Walking through the Combes and Dry-Stone Landscape
On the trails around Saumane-De-Vaucluse, you can walk for kilometres alongside dry-stone walls, through numerous often steep combes and small valleys. Take the terrain into account when choosing a hike. The Les Trois Luisants route leads to a former millstone quarry and dry-stone huts. It offers a specific historical focus alongside the trails through the slopes and valleys. The Mourre de la Belle Étoile is also part of the local landscape’s history: it is traditionally associated with the cultivation of truffle oaks and olive trees. Traces of earlier agriculture thus complement the impressions of walls, dry-stone structures and rock formations.
Château and Religious Heritage
The Château de Saumane-de-Vaucluse combines a 14th-century cardinal’s palace with a Renaissance residence in the form of a fortified bastion. The Marquis de Sade spent his childhood there. By decree of 7 January 2020, the château, including all its built and unbuilt parts, was fully classified as a Monument historique. The Église Saint-Trophime has different historical features: it was once a priory of Sénanque Abbey and has a double-arched bell gable and a 15th-century bell. Together, these sites represent distinct histories of construction and use: the château’s combination of a cardinal’s palace and Renaissance residence, and the church’s former role as a priory.
Nature and Observations
The forested massif of Saumane-De-Vaucluse is designated as a biodiversity reserve. The Atlas de la biodiversité communale invites people to submit photos of plants and animals, together with the date and location of the observation. If you would like to take part, check the participation guidelines beforehand, as they may change. This adds the opportunity to contribute observations of plants and animals to the area’s landscape and cultural themes.
Wine and Golf as Further Highlights
Domaine TréluS in Saumane-de-Vaucluse offers on-site tours and wine tastings. The tours and tastings are led by the cellar master and cover the soil, climate, grape varieties and winemaking methods. Seven wines are sampled during the tastings. As visitor arrangements are organised by the estate, it is best to check the details directly with the Domaine before you arrive.
Golf de Saumane has a practice area and an 18-hole course. Jean Garaïalde designed the course in 1989; its layout follows the Canal de Carpentras and the hilly landscape of rocky escarpments and woodland. Facilities there may change. Check the current facilities before your trip if golf is important to your plans.
Tailor Your Stay to Your Interests
When looking for a hotel in Saumane-De-Vaucluse, it helps to first decide what you would like to focus on during your stay. For culture, the château and Église Saint-Trophime offer different histories of construction and use; for outdoor activity, consider the trails through the combes and the Les Trois Luisants route. Wine tastings and golf add to these options, each with its own visitor arrangements.
Discover more destinations: Sivergues, Saint-Saturnin-Lès-Apt, Crestet, La Roque-Alric, Lacoste, Faucon, Velleron, Puyvert.
For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.
