Lacoste: Provençal village with a château and SCAD culture

Lacoste is a Provençal hilltop village overlooking the Luberon and the Monts de Vaucluse. It was built at the foot of a limestone cliff. When planning your trip, both the historic village and the art and exhibition spaces associated with SCAD shape the character of the destination. You can explore the village on foot, encountering buildings from different eras as well as insights into contemporary design.

Lanes, studios and village character

The cobbled main street is known as Rue des Artistes. Artists’ studios and galleries are part of its streetscape. Medieval vaulted rooms also contribute to Lacoste’s cultural character: performances are staged there, combining contemporary art with antiques. Historic spaces and contemporary artistic presentations thus sit side by side in the village.

Free shaded parking is available at the landscape parking area next to the cemetery. As parking arrangements can change, check the current situation before you arrive. To explore the village itself, a walking tour is a good way to take in its varied buildings and streetscapes.

Château, church and traces of history

Despite its restoration, the Château de Lacoste retains a ruined appearance and its historical significance. It is associated with the literary works of the Marquis de Sade. The château, its courtyards and its dry moats are listed as a “Monument historique”; the listing was made by decree on 21 August 1992.

The Church of Saint Trophime dates from the 12th to 13th centuries. Visible Romanesque features can be found in the apse, on the north wall and inside. The Portail de la Garde is newer: it dates from the 14th to 15th centuries and was probably rebuilt in the second half of the 16th century along with the village fortifications. The different dates give your walk a sense of historical breadth, from Romanesque church architecture to later changes to the fortifications.

La Maison Basse has a history spanning eight centuries. Its uses have included a farmhouse, an inn, a rest stop for bear handlers and a coach house. The building was also associated with the Marquis de Sade as a performance venue. These different uses are part of the history of this particular place and add another perspective to the architectural history of the château, church and fortifications.

SCAD and artistic presentations

The Musée SCAD Lacoste presents the history of the place, from its origins to its development as the European campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). SCAD FASH Lacoste is a fashion and film museum with a year-round exhibition program. It uses two buildings for fashion exhibitions: one on Rue Basse and the other on Rue Saint Trophime. Creations by renowned couturiers are presented there twice a year; individual exhibitions and their content may vary.

Different formats offer further insights into design. At the SCAD Alumni Atelier, visitors can observe the working processes of SCAD alumni based in the area and learn more about their creative approaches. Which artists are on site and what their schedules are may vary. Studio Bee features a curated exhibition of fashion designs by SCAD alumni; the specific designs on display may also change.

The Promenade des Sculptures was established in 2022 with ten monumental works by SCAD students. It was open to the public when it was inaugurated on 16 October 2022. The works make the connection between art and public space another aspect of the place, alongside exhibitions in buildings and artists’ studios.

Exploring on foot or by bike

A 3.2 km walking trail leads from Lacoste’s historic center to the Abbaye de Saint Hilaire, on the border between Lacoste and Ménerbes. If you plan to take this route, check local trail and access conditions. It offers a specific way to combine your stay with a destination outside the historic center; the stated distance refers to the walk to the abbey.

Cyclists can follow the Voie Verte du Calavon from Lacoste. As route conditions may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before setting out. This gives you two different activity options: a walking trail to a named destination and a cycling route that can be followed from Lacoste.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Léger-Du-Ventoux, Piolenc, Mazan, Saint-Martin-De-Castillon, L'isle-Sur-La-Sorgue, Buoux, Lauris, Puyvert.

For the overview of the wider region: Vaucluse.