Villars: Ochre Landscapes, Wine and Village History

Villars combines a protected ochre landscape with walking trails, wine experiences and historic buildings. When planning your stay, you can weigh up different interests: the natural area and its views, a circular route, or the village’s history and wine offerings. The type of visit also makes a difference—from a walk with specific timings to visits that require a reservation.

Nature and Walking in Villars

The Les Ocres de la Bruyère massif is classified as an Espace Naturel Sensible (Sensitive Natural Area) and is open to everyone. Check local access conditions before your visit. From there, views extend to the villages of Villars and Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt and the Monts de Vaucluse. The landscape thus combines a protected natural area with views of villages and mountains.

Les Ocres de la Bruyère provides habitat for protected species, including amphibians, bee-eaters and several species of bat. Tracks left by deer and wild boar can also be seen in the coloured sand. These animal groups illustrate different aspects of the area: protected species that find habitat there, and the tracks of larger animals in the sand.

The “Tour des ocres du Luberon” hiking route leads to the village of Villars. The Le Trou des Américains circular trail is 1.9 kilometres long, takes 45 minutes and is rated very easy. The two routes therefore differ in the guidance provided: one leads to the village, while the other has a specified length and duration. The rating and duration may change if trail markings or access conditions change; check these before setting out. The “À la découverte de Villars” route is also listed in the municipal hiking section.

Village History and Architecture

Villars’s heritage for visitors includes eleven hamlets with narrow lanes, fountains and washhouses. The former communal washhouse is also a sight of tourist interest. The present-day church is dedicated to Notre-Dame and Saint Jacques le Mineur and was consecrated on 7 April 1867. The 19th-century parish church of Saint Jacques le Mineur is also among Villars’s sights of tourist interest.

Another historic building is the Chapelle Saint-Pierre de Bagnols. It is a former priory, built on the site of a Gallo-Roman fanum. Its nave has a barrel vault, while the semicircular apse has a domed vault. Reused votive inscriptions dedicated to Jupiter and Sylvain, the god with the hammer, are built into the nave walls. The chapel thus offers insight into both its architectural forms and older religious traditions.

Wine and Visits

Château Saint Pons offers cellar tours and wine tastings. There is also a self-guided wine trail with an information booklet about grape varieties, winegrowing and the surrounding landscapes. While the cellar tour and tasting make wine the focus of a visit, the trail links winegrowing with information about grape varieties and the landscape. Picnics among the vineyards are also offered, featuring carefully selected local products and the estate’s wines. Reservations may be required. Check the current arrangements for tours and tastings in advance.

Visits to the goat farm at the Chèvrerie de Villars are available by prior reservation. Confirm reservation requirements and availability before your trip. Fresh cheese is also available there; availability may vary.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Martin-De-Castillon, Lagarde-Pareol, Gordes, Sannes, La Tour-D'aigues, Morières-Lès-Avignon, Sarrians, Aurel

For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.