Brantes: a fortified village on Montagne de Blaye
Accommodation in Brantes
Brantes is a fortified village on the slopes of Montagne de Blaye. The village’s history, crafts and themed trails offer practical points of reference when planning a stay. In the village, a walking tour leads to a church dating from 1684, while trails explore topics including geology, agricultural heritage and plants. You can therefore shape your stay around village culture or a themed exploration of the Toulourenc Valley. The botanical trail in Brantes leads to the 12th-century Romanesque Chapel of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and focuses on colours, fragrances and aromas.
Village history and crafts
A walking tour of the village leads to the Church of Saint-Sidoine, dating from 1684. A botanical trail leads to the 12th-century Romanesque Chapel of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. Both buildings offer different historical points of reference: Saint-Sidoine is associated with a specific year, while Saint-Jean-Baptiste is notable for its Romanesque architecture and its dating to the 12th century. If you would like to explore Brantes with a focus on architectural history, you can choose between a walk with a church whose date is specified and a botanical trail to a Romanesque chapel.
Brantes is home to many ceramicists, potters and santon makers. Every two years, during the year-end holidays, they open their workshops as part of “Brantes dans les étoiles”. If you are planning a trip that deliberately includes workshop visits, this biennial schedule is a useful detail. Check the date of the relevant edition before travelling so you can time your stay for the right event year.
Themed trails in the Toulourenc Valley
The Toulourenc Valley geological trail runs from Saint-LĂ©ger-du-Ventoux to Brantes and features 16 information panels on geology and agricultural heritage. A trail about medicinal and poisonous plants also runs through the Toulourenc Valley at the foot of Mont Ventoux. The themes are clearly distinct: one trail focuses on geology and agricultural heritage, the other on medicinal and poisonous plants. Saint-LĂ©ger-du-Ventoux and Brantes are named as the start and end points of the geological trail. Trail conditions can vary; check current conditions before setting out on a hike.
Changes to sections of GR9 and GR91
A permanent route change to the GR9 has been in effect since spring 2021 on the Buis-les-Baronnies–Brantes section. The rerouted section covers 3.3 km from Col de Font Combran to Col d’Aiguières. A permanent route change to the GR91 has also been in effect since spring 2021 on the Poet en Percip–Brantes section. The rerouted section from Ruisseau des Guiberts to Brantes is 16.3 km long. Based on the stated route lengths, the GR9 change is the shorter of the two; the endpoints distinguish the respective routes. If you are planning a hike, check the current trail situation, as conditions can vary.
Discover more destinations: Seguret, Mormoiron, Flassan, Saint-Léger-Du-Ventoux, Gignac, Saint-Martin-De-La-Brasque, Vaison-La-Romaine, Courthézon
To the regional travel overview: Vaucluse.
