A pointed-arch entrance portal dating from 1505, a gilded high altar, and a site carved into the rock above Bollene offer several distinct points of interest for a cultural trip here. In Bollene, the Collégiale Saint Martin, Maison Cardinale, and former Ursuline convent represent different aspects of the area’s historical heritage: architecture, religious furnishings, and memories of specific events. The Village troglodytique de Barry adds a landscape perspective; a mountain biking route connects wooded hills and cultivated plains with Romanesque religious buildings.
Churches and Sacred Art
The Collégiale Saint Martin brings architectural history and sacred art together in one place. Its pointed-arch entrance portal dates from 1505; the former priory also includes a former defensive tower. The church has been listed as a historic monument since 1909. Its furnishings include a gilded wooden high altar commissioned in 1656 from Philippe Mézangeau, a sculptor from Bollène. The portal and altar offer different points of focus: at the entrance, the pointed arch draws the eye; at the high altar, it is the gilded wood and sculptural work.
The former Ursuline convent houses an altar gilded with gold leaf and carved by Jean-Baptiste Mézangeau. In contrast with the Collégiale, the defining details here are the gold leaf and the carver, while at Saint Martin the wooden material and the 1656 commission also stand out. The Chapelle de l'hôpital in Bollene is also a historic religious monument.
Maison Cardinale: Architecture and History
Maison Cardinale combines an architectural feature with a precisely dated historical stay. It housed Pope Clement V in 1311. It was probably built in the mid-11th century, so the date is an estimate. Its stone roof has been preserved, as have walls more than one meter thick. Maison Cardinale has been listed as a historic monument since 1947.
The dates serve different purposes: the mid-11th century refers to a probable construction period, 1311 to Clement V’s stay, and 1947 to its listing as a historic monument. Those interested in architectural history can thus distinguish the building’s architecture from its later historical significance, rather than placing the house in the context of a single date. The stone roof and thick walls draw attention to the building’s preserved features.
Rocky Landscape and Mountain Biking Route
The Village troglodytique de Barry is a spectacular site carved into the rock above Bollene. A walk there brings together cultural heritage, nature, and exceptional panoramic views. Barry offers a different focus from the religious buildings: here, the rock, landscape, and views are all part of the experience described.
The “VTT n°2 – Boucle des Chapelles” route passes between wooded hills and cultivated plains, leading to well-preserved Romanesque religious buildings. Cyclists gain elevation as they explore the history conveyed through the chapels’ architecture. When choosing an excursion, these offer two different options: a walk among the rocky landscape and panoramic views at Barry, or a mountain biking route combining elevation gain with chapel architecture.
Discover more destinations: Cavaillon, Taillades, Vedène, Camaret-Sur-Aigues, Orange, Aurel, Auribeau, Gigondas
For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.
