Discover Aurel: lavender trails, village history and ceramic art

Aurel offers several concrete starting points for a trip: a 20-kilometre circular hike through forests and lavender landscapes, a botanical educational trail near Les Crottes, medieval architectural history and a ceramics studio. The village sits on a rocky promontory. When planning your stay, you can focus on different themes, from nature and botany to architecture and art.

Rocky promontory and medieval traces

Aurel’s old houses, with their stone window surrounds, bear witness to the village’s medieval origins. The history of the place also includes traces of the 13th-century castle. These include a square tower that served as the original keep; the castle’s polygonal perimeter wall is also fitted with loopholes. Aurel’s old houses, with their stone window surrounds, bear witness to the village’s medieval origins. The history of the place also includes traces of the 13th-century castle. These include a square tower that served as the original keep; the castle’s polygonal perimeter wall is also fitted with loopholes. Loopholes are narrow openings in walls.

The Church of Saint Aurèle dates from the 12th century. Its square bell tower is topped with glazed tiles. The restored 19th-century washhouse, located above Aurel’s gardens, is also part of the village’s architectural heritage.

Hiking through forests and lavender landscapes

The “AUREL – Terre de lavande” circular hike starts in Aurel and is 20 kilometres long. The route passes through forests and lavender landscapes, as well as the hamlet of Les Crottes. Its distance gives you a clear basis for planning your hike. Check trail conditions and markings before setting out.

The botanical educational trail near Les Crottes offers a different perspective on nature. It starts at a signposted picnic area. At the beginning, an information board explains the flora and the route; wooden markers and signs about the different plants mark the trail. At the starting point, there is a shaded picnic area beneath the pines. Check trail conditions and signage before setting out.

The two hiking options differ mainly in their focus: the circular hike centres on the route and landscapes, while the educational trail focuses on flora, information about plants and wayfinding.

Ceramics studio in Aurel

Patricia Lechantoux welcomes visitors to her artist’s studio in Aurel throughout the year. The ceramic artist has a permanent exhibition of unique and original works there. Visitors can also learn about how ceramics are made: the explanation covers everything from design and decoration to firing. The visit therefore includes not only the finished pieces but also the making process.

Chapels: du Ventouret and Saint-Esprit

The Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Anges, also known as the Chapelle du Ventouret, is located on the road to Mont Ventoux. It was faithfully restored between 2000 and 2003. You can view the chapel as you drive up towards Mont Ventoux; check the opening conditions locally. The Chapelle Saint-Esprit is in the hamlet of Les Crottes.

Discover more destinations: Villes-Sur-Auzon, Saint-Martin-De-La-Brasque, Oppède, Lamotte-Du-Rhône, Caseneuve, Beaumont-De-Pertuis, Entrechaux, Malaucene

For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.