Ramble rides

Valréas, an important city at the time of the Papal States, has many interesting historical features dating back over a thousand years. It has also many other exceptional qualities such as flourishing economic climate, famous wines and an important tourist industry. List of information signs and monuments: 1. Tourist Office 2. Convent of the Cordeliers 3. Church of Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth 4. Chapel of the Pénitents Blancs 5. Ripert tower 6. Tivoli tower 7. Simiane castle 8. Simiane castle 9. Pied Vaurias hill 10. Rousti house 11. Town houses in the Grande Rue 12. Chapel of the Pénitents Noirs 13. Ursuline convent 14. La Place de la Recluse

Tour of the Papal boundary stones - Valréas (11km)

Starting and finishing point – in the city centre, at the St. Antoine roundabout. The first sign in on the corner of the route de St. Pierre (by the Pharmacy St. Antoine). Follow the route de St. Pierre for 2,8 km on the tarred road. The road, quite wide, goes uphill straight away through beautiful vineyards. There is a nice view of Valréas and la Lance. After, leave the road (marked in red) and go off to the right into the woods. The road is downhill and in the shade. Then, cross over the small valley (which used to be cultivated). Be careful: markings unclear. Go over the bridge. The path goes uphill through vegetation and vines. Soon you get to the top of the hills with lovely views of the Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail. The road goes due east, through vineyards, lavender and truffle orchards. Five papal boundary stones are clearly indicated. They are made of stone and were used to mark the boundaries of the papal territories (three campaigns to erect these stones: 1324, 1414 and 1457). 22 boundary stones are today within the commune of Valréas which is the modern equivalent of Enclave des Papes. They are shaped like paving stones 30 cm thick, 40 cm wide and 150 cm high – part of which is buried. Decorated with carvings of one or more coats of arms representing the lords whose land was marked out. The wide flat road turns north east towards a junction with a tarred road. Go downhill along this road to the left (about 2 km), until you get to the car park by the ford (gué). Lovely view of the Préalpes, the plain of Valréas and in the late June – early July, the beautiful colours of the alternating fields of lavender and vines.

Pedestrian route round the village of Visan

Visan has been a Papal stronghold since 1344. Cradled by warm and colourful hills, the town dominates a rich agricultural plain stretching out towards the setting sun. Its winding streets, with the well balanced beauty of many seventeenth and eighteenth century town houses, can’t fail to attract. The surrounding countryside is particularly harmonious: luminous pine forests and vineyards, as far as the eye can see, all basking in the sun. 1. Prehistoric times and the roman occupation 2. Visan in the Middle Ages 3. The street of the Nobility 4. Buildings from the Renaissance to the nineteenth century 5. Remains of the rempart des Dauphins 6. Remains of the rempart des Papes and buildings from the Renaissance to the eighteenth century 7. The church of Saint Pierre 8. The chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Vignes

Visan walking route (8,5 km)

Starting and finishing point – Place de la Coconnière in Visan. Take the Vaison road out of the village. Turn left towards the lotissement Le Sépulcre and continue on along the small road towards the lovely chapel Notre-Dame-des-Vignes. Once past the chapel, continue uphill along the tarred road, following the signs. There is a nice view of the hilly vineyards. At the crossroads, turn right and follow the tarred road. By the cypresses turn left, then 300 m later turn left again, and 100 m further on, turn left one more time. Go uphill and go round the vines at the top. After going along the left of the vines turn right and go through a wood up to the road to St Maurice. Turn right along the tarred road, then after a wood on your left; follow the markings of the Circuit VTT of Visan. Go along the vines, and then go downhill below the truffle oaks as far as the road. Cross over and go down the road for about 10 m then turn left after the little bridge. Go uphill through the vines for 300 m. At the first crossroad turn right between two vineyards. 200 m further on, go straight on into the wood. Once out of the wood, turns left and by a solitary cypress tree turn right, and 30 m further on, turn left. Go up towards the crest of the hill. There is a good view of the Mont Ventoux and Dentelles de Montmirail. Then turn right through the woods and go downhill for about 1 km. Follow the signs until you get to the Saint Vincent chapel, which dates from 1594 and was built by the Confrérie de St. Vincent, saint patron of winegrowers. Go round the back of the chapel and go downhill to the right and after a few hundred meters you will rejoin the tarred road which will take you back towards the wayside cross. Turn left towards the top of the village to see the ruins of Marot castle. Go downhill again to the Place de la Coconnière by way of the little village streets.

Pedestrian route round the village of Richerenche

Richerenche, city of the templar knights, of the truffle and of good wine, welcomes you, as it would have welcomed a templar knight, serving him a truffle omelette in winter, washed down with a good Côte du Rhone, pleasing to the most decerning palate. 1. The Richerenche headquarters of the templar knights 2. The order of the temple 3. The templar knights in Provence 4. The organisation of the order of the temple 5. The end of the order of the temple 6. The headquarters of the templar knights