La Roque-Sur-Pernes: Rocky Ridge, Bories and Village History

La Roque-sur-Pernes sits on a rocky ridge overlooking the meeting point of several valleys. The village’s defining features include the Château féodal, narrow winding streets, bories and places of remembrance. The landscape, architectural history and culture of remembrance offer different perspectives on the village—from the citadel on a steep rock to the “Autour de la Roque sur Pernes” walk.

Castle and Village Landscape

The Château féodal dates back to the 11th century and was developed as a citadel on a steep rock. The surviving fortifications enclose the upper part of the village. The Route de la colline Saint-Antoine offers a view of the village perched above. These are two distinct spatial perspectives: the route affords a view of the village, while the fortifications enclose its upper part. The narrow winding streets further shape the village landscape.

Church, Village Square and Remembrance

The village’s history also includes the Église aux Saints Pierre et Paul, the Fontaine du Renard and a triptych. The church is mentioned in records of the Abbey of Saint Victor in Marseille; the Fontaine du Renard is located in the village square. The triptych in the village commemorates the tragic events experienced by the Banat Swabians—Danube Swabians or French people from the Banat. Together, these points of reference represent different themes: religious tradition, a specific place in the village and remembrance of the experiences of the Banat Swabians.

Bories and Rural Architecture

The bories offer another perspective on architectural history. They were used for agricultural or pastoral purposes and built between the 17th and 19th centuries. Their construction combines dry-stone masonry without mortar with corbelled construction. In this technique, each course of stones projects inward beyond the one below it; dry-stone masonry uses no mortar. The citadel and the bories differ in both age and purpose: the Château féodal dates back to the 11th century and was developed as a citadel, while the bories were built later for agricultural or pastoral purposes. This means the village’s historic architecture can be seen not only in its fortifications but also in these rural buildings.

Walk and Seasonal Harvest

The “Autour de la Roque sur Pernes” walk follows the GRP Tour des Monts du Vaucluse and passes near the hamlet of Barbarenque. It also includes an out-and-back detour to Sous les Gardy, where there is a picnic area. For planning purposes, it is useful to note the distinction: Barbarenque is close to the route, while the picnic area is the destination of the additional detour to Sous les Gardy. Check the current condition of the route before setting out.

The Domaine les Touchines offers a seasonal activity: the farm welcomes visitors to pick cherries, grapes and olives. As this activity depends on the season, confirm its availability before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Bédoin, Caromb, Entraigues-Sur-La-Sorgue, Brantes, Puyméras, Travaillan, Buoux, Villelaure

For the main travel overview: Vaucluse.