Grillon: Medieval Heritage and Local History

Grillon has a strong focus on cultural history. Le Vialle, the Beffroi and the Church of Sainte-Agathe reveal different aspects of local history. There is also a walking tour through the village. This gives you two ways to explore during your stay: independently on foot, or by taking a closer look at the history of individual buildings and objects.

Le Vialle and its architecture

Le Vialle is the historic centre of Grillon, situated on the summit of a Safr hill. Between 1342 and 1372, it was crowned with high fortification walls. Le Vialle is also considered an exemplary case of integrating history into a building project. The medieval Vialle, Grillon’s original historic quarter, includes the Maison Milon, which stands on a rocky acropolis about 15 metres above the present-day village. The Maison de Chapuis de Tourville preserves a section of the wall walk at attic level. A wall walk is a path along a fortification.

The Beffroi and Sainte-Agathe

Le Beffroi was originally a watchtower at the northern entrance to Grillon’s fortifications. Its conversion into a belfry was completed in 1778. The building thus represents a change of function, from watchtower to belfry. Le Beffroi is considered the only element of the Vialle to have survived the decline in its original, intact form, and it remains almost undamaged. It is also listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments.

The present-day Church of Sainte-Agathe is a 19th-century neo-Gothic building. Construction began in 1869, and it was consecrated in 1870. The church houses an iron cross donated by Cardinal-Duc Salviati in 1783. In 1983, it was recovered from the ruins of the Vialle, near its original location, the Porte Neuve. Exactly two centuries separate the donation and recovery, so the cross’s history falls into two dated stages. Sainte-Agathe also houses three old paintings listed in the regional inventory.

Grillon on foot and by the water

If you would like to explore the village on foot, the “À la découverte de Grillon” walking tour starts at Place de la Bourgade and takes you through the village, using nine information panels. You can do the tour independently, without a guide. It answers the practical question of how to explore on your own; the building details about Le Vialle, the Beffroi and Sainte-Agathe, by contrast, offer deeper insights into specific periods and architectural details.

Fishing takes place at the Plan d'eau du Lez in the Grillon area. This offers a different focus from the historic buildings. If you would like to include fishing in your stay, check the current fishing regulations before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Beaumettes, La Motte-D'aigues, Piolenc, Modène, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Le Boisset, Venasque, La Tour-D'aigues.

For the regional travel guide: Vaucluse.