Discover Lapalud: local history and waterside leisure

If you’re looking for a hotel in Lapalud, you can choose where to stay based on your plans. Historic buildings, a ViaRhôna stage focused on cultural heritage, and waterside leisure activities offer different points of interest. Lapalud is served by National Route 7; the weekly market takes place on Tuesdays. If you’re planning your trip around a market visit, check the date again shortly before you travel.

Old village and the history of its fortifications

The Grand Rue runs through Lapalud’s old village. Two fortified gates open onto the street at either end. The Porte Jullien can also be seen in the old village. The street, gates and Porte Jullien are distinct points of reference for exploring local history: the gates mark the ends of the Grand Rue, while the Porte Jullien is another visible landmark.

In the 14th century, Lapalud acquired a ring of walls that gradually developed into broad, imposing fortifications. This sequence gives the town’s history a distinct timeline: the fortifications were built up gradually, rather than in a single construction event. The development of the ring of walls adds to the picture of the fortified gates in the old village.

Church and local culture

The Church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture. It was built between the 12th and 15th centuries. This gives visitors two distinct points of reference for understanding its history: the combination of the two styles and the lengthy construction period. Anyone interested in architecture can consider both without reducing the building’s origins to a single year.

The intercommunal library is located in the Espace Julian at Château Julian. If you’re planning a visit, check the current visitor arrangements in advance, as they may change. Broom-making offers another glimpse of local culture: it dates back to 1920 and uses sorghum straw. It’s best to ask locally whether the brooms are still being made today. The material and the long tradition are two concrete aspects of this craft.

By the water and on the ViaRhôna

There are picnic spots at Lac du Devès. Its turquoise water gives the impression of a small cove. At the Espace de Loisirs des Girardes, there is a lakeside path for walking, jogging and exercise. The two waterside settings suit different activities: at Lac du Devès, picnic spots and scenery take centre stage, while the lakeside path at the Espace de Loisirs is geared towards walking and exercise.

The ViaRhôna also offers a specific point of reference for planning your trip: the stage from Viviers and Bourg-Saint-Andéol to Lapalud has a strong cultural heritage focus. This connects thematically with the fortifications, the Grand Rue and the church, without suggesting that these places form part of a particular route. When choosing where to stay, you can weigh up whether to focus more on Lapalud’s local history, the cycling route or the waterside activities.

Discover more destinations: La Motte-D'aigues, Uchaux, Mirabeau, Le Boisset, Velleron, Jonquerettes, Lacoste, Entraigues-Sur-La-Sorgue.

Go to the main travel overview: Vaucluse.