Discover Puget: Hiking and Heritage

Puget combines hiking, striking karst formations and a historic center. Puget-sur-Durance sits on a steep promontory above the Durance. The center is easy to explore on foot, around Notre-Dame church and the cluster of old houses. Its elevated position and the walk through the village offer two distinct reference points: the promontory defines the topography, while the cluster of houses and Notre-Dame mark the historic center. For travelers looking to combine outdoor activity and cultural history, there are several different highlights: a trail with historical significance, a hike with scenic views, and the story of the village.

Hiking between a long-distance trail and scenic landscapes

The GR®965, “In the Footsteps of the Huguenots,” passes through Puget. This international route is 1,800 km long and largely follows the historic route of the Huguenot exile. Its passage through Puget is a local point of reference on an international route whose historical course extends far beyond the village. A hike from Puget-sur-Durance to Pic de l’Aigle offers views of the Durance Valley, the Alpilles and Montagne Sainte-Victoire. The two hiking routes offer different perspectives: the GR®965 is framed by the historical course of the exile, while the hike to Pic de l’Aigle focuses on the named landscapes.

Karst formations and viewpoints

Geological features also shape the landscape. Puget has karst formations such as Baumes, caves and aven sinkholes; the famous Arche du Portalas lies on the ridges. The formations describe the terrain itself, while the hike to Pic de l’Aigle is characterized by views of the named landscapes.

Churches and regional history

Notre-Dame is an important heritage landmark in Puget and dates from the 13th century. The Reformed church of Puget-sur-Durance was built in the 19th century and recalls the importance of Protestant history in this part of the southern Luberon. These are two distinct historical reference points: Notre-Dame as a landmark of Puget, and the Reformed church with its explicitly regional significance. Their construction dates are several centuries apart; in geographical terms, the Protestant context extends beyond the village itself.

The village’s development since 1619

The village’s renewal began in 1619, when a lord from Dauphiné granted land to families who cleared it for cultivation and worked it. Unlike the churches, this date does not mark a construction period, but the start of the village’s development through land grants and cultivation. Here, clearing land means preparing it for use; the families then farmed it. Chronologically, 1619 falls between the 13th-century Notre-Dame and the 19th-century Reformed church.

Hydraulic heritage in Les Borrys

The hydraulic heritage of Les Borrys is part of a forgotten hydraulic heritage that should be preserved. The wish to preserve it is therefore explicitly part of the story. For those interested in culture, preservation is a distinct aspect alongside its historical context.

Discover more destinations: Gargas, Lapalud, Morières-Lès-Avignon, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Lagnes, Mormoiron, Bédoin, Rustrel.

For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.