Villedieu among vineyards and olive groves

Villedieu among vineyards and olive groves

Villedieu lies amid the hills of the Rhône Valley, among vineyards and olive groves. This setting gives the village a rural feel, while the parish church, chapel history and wine tradition add specific cultural points of interest. If you’re looking for a hotel in Villedieu, these highlights can help you decide whether the destination suits your interests: here, a layered architectural history, the tradition of local brotherhoods and the local cultivation of almonds sit side by side.

Church and history of fortifications

The oldest part of the parish church of Saint Laurent and Saint Michel is the choir, which originated as a former castle chapel in the 10th century. The nave was built in two phases during the 14th and 15th centuries and completed in the 17th century. The gap in time makes the choir and nave two distinct stages in the building’s history. The parish church is also structurally connected to the keep of the castle of Montauban, Baron of the Baronnies.

The fortification walls also belong to this earlier period. They were probably built at the same time as the church, in the 10th century, and still preserve parts of an earlier rampart walk. The surviving sections of the rampart walk add the village’s history of fortifications to the church’s architectural history.

Chapels and cultural events

The Chapelle Saint-Laurent is the only chapel still visible in Villedieu. Various artistic events are held there in summer, and Saint Laurent is celebrated on 10 August. If an event date matters to your trip, check the specific programme locally in advance. The Chemin des chapelles presents the history of village brotherhoods through the heritage of its chapels. This gives the route a historical perspective distinct from the seasonal events at the Chapelle Saint-Laurent.

Wine tradition and local almonds

The wine tradition is also linked to a brotherhood: the Confrérie Saint Vincent de Villedieu was re-established in 1973 by local winegrowers to revive the tradition of the Commanderie des Côtes du Rhône. Each year, the Confrérie welcomes a new member who pledges to defend the appellation in question. Its re-establishment provides a historical point of reference; the annual induction carries the tradition forward through a recurring commitment.

Alongside winegrowing, Les Amandes de Villedieu is a specific local product. Jonathan Fauque produces almonds locally according to the principles of organic farming; production includes the two French varieties Mandaline and Lauranne. They are available at the Caveau Villedieu Buisson, at Les Caves des Collines in Vaison-la-Romaine or by arrangement. If you want to include this in your plans, confirm the purchasing arrangements in advance, as availability and arrangements may change.

For your trip planning, the time frames differ: the architectural history spans the 10th to the 17th century, the Confrérie welcomes a new member each year, and the Chapelle Saint-Laurent is associated with summer events and 10 August.

Discover more destinations: La Tour-D'aigues, Le Barroux, Valreas, Maubec, Menerbes, Althen-Des-Paluds, Fontaine-De-Vaucluse, Richerenches

For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.