Puyméras: Chapels, Pilgrimage Tradition and Winegrowing

Puyméras Between Countryside and Chapels

Puyméras lies north of Mont Ventoux, on the border between Vaucluse and Drôme. Fields, vineyards, olive groves and forests shape the Provençal landscape. The chapels are also connected to specific locations: Saint Georges lies north of the village, surrounded by vineyards; Notre Dame des Anges is located in the former hamlet of the Massif des Géants. The landscape and architectural history thus offer two different ways to find your bearings: the area around the village and religious sites, each with its own history.

Chapels and Local History

The Chapelle Saint Flavien in Puyméras contains a 17th-century polychrome altarpiece made using the technique of gypsum stucco. An altarpiece is a decorative structure behind an altar; here, the multicoloured design, material and period all form part of a specific work of art. The chapel is on the former road to Faucon. The Chapelle Saint Apollinaire is located in the present-day cemetery of Puyméras and served as the parish church during the Wars of Religion. Its present location and former function come together here. The Chapelle Notre Dame des Anges lies in the former hamlet of the Massif des Géants. It is said to have been built in 1663 by the inhabitants of the hamlet; its crypt served as their burial place. These three chapels offer a way to distinguish between craftsmanship, former religious functions and the history of the former hamlet.

Pilgrimage Tradition in Puyméras

The four chapels in Puyméras continue to be maintained and used for annual pilgrimages. A pilgrimage procession leads to the Chapelle Saint Georges and takes place on the Sunday around 24 April. It is accompanied by a costumed Bravade, with rifle shots. This custom brings together a recurring religious occasion, a specific time of year and a distinctive form of accompaniment. If the procession is important to you, it is worth checking the date in advance when planning your trip. This will help you take the stated date into account when choosing your travel dates.

Fountains and Winegrowing

The Grande Fontaine de Puyméras is near the path leading up to the church, next to the village washhouse. It offers a different perspective on the local heritage from the chapels: here, the fountain and washhouse stand out as features of the village landscape. For orientation, you can consider the Fontaine as a separate point of reference alongside the religious sites.

Winegrowing can also be viewed at different scales. Vineyards are among the defining features of the Puyméras landscape, while winegrowing as a regional area extends across five communes, including Puyméras. The Côtes du Rhône Villages Puyméras appellation covers red wines only and was recognised in 2005. These details give you three different points of reference: the vineyards describe the landscape, the five communes define the scope of the winegrowing area, and the appellation is a recognised designation limited to red wine. This makes it possible to distinguish the village landscape from the wider winegrowing context that extends beyond Puyméras.

Discover more destinations: Roaix, Goult, Carpentras, Apt, Le Boisset, Crillon-Le-Brave, Sorgues, Bédarrides

For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.