Saint-Martin-De-La-Brasque: Village History and the Luberon

Saint-Martin-De-La-Brasque is part of the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon. Two distinct areas of interest can help you plan your trip: the landscapes of the Grand Luberon and the history of the village, reflected in its squares, buildings and architectural details. If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Martin-De-La-Brasque, these themes can help you tailor your stay to your interests. Walks, the seasonal farmers’ market and historic traces in the village offer different starting points for planning.

Luberon Landscapes and a Cycling Loop

Walks in the Grand Luberon offer a variety of landscape views. If you would like to combine time outdoors with the history of the village, you can take both into account: the Grand Luberon is the focus for walks, while the history of Saint-Martin-De-La-Brasque can be explored through individual squares and buildings. A cycling loop offers a different way to experience the surrounding area. The route “ANSOUIS – A vélo, entre terroirs et olives” passes along the D165 to Saint-Martin-de-la-Brasque and leaves the village in the direction of the D27. If you are weighing up walking and cycling, the focus differs accordingly: varied landscape views in the Grand Luberon, or a cycling loop with a specified route along the D165 and onwards in the direction of the D27.

Plan Your Visit Around the Market

The Marché Paysan de Saint-Martin-de-la-Brasque takes place on Sunday mornings from May to October in the Place du Village. The details about the season, day of the week and location give you a specific point of reference if you would like to combine your stay with a visit to the market. As seasonal dates may change, it is best to check the dates before making your plans. This way, you can take the market into account when choosing your travel dates without treating it as equivalent to the aspects of village history that are relevant all year round.

Village History in Squares and Buildings

The former village at Le Castelas was abandoned in the 15th century and is now in ruins. The Place de la Fontaine offers another historical point of reference: it stands on the site of the former cemetery, and a plaque there commemorates a new settlement in 1506. These two places represent different aspects of the village’s history.

The present-day parish church of Saint-Martin–Saint-Blaise also has a history of its own: it was built between 1626 and 1629 to replace an earlier church in the village that had fallen into ruin. Its nave has a continuous barrel vault with a broken profile and ends in an apse with a half-dome. A barrel vault is a longitudinal vaulted ceiling; the apse forms the end of the church interior. The church also has a bell gable with openings dating from 1881.

Architectural Details Around the Village

The Mairie-École dates from 1905 and features a trompe-l’œil perspective created in the 1970s. The term describes an illusionistic design that creates the impression of spatial depth. The building’s date and its perspective thus point to two different moments in its history.

Other details can be found along different streets and squares. Rue des Cataformes ends in a vaulted passageway known as a Soustet. The fountain at the junction of Rue des Treilles and Rue du Cadran dates from the 16th century. A sundial surrounded by two angels is painted on a light-blue Renaissance-style façade. There used to be a large meadow below Rue des Crotonnes, by the Lavoir, where laundry was spread out to dry. Together, these examples show different forms of village history: architectural design, public spaces and a former everyday use.

Discover more destinations: Saint Didier, La Bastide-Des-Jourdans, Saint-Christol, Villelaure, Villedieu, Vedène, Vaugines, Châteauneuf-De-Gadagne.

For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.