Brantes is a fortified village on the slope of Montagne de Blaye. Village history and crafts complement themed trails covering geology, plants and agricultural heritage. To plan your visit, it helps to choose a focus: would you like to centre your visit on the village walk and historic buildings, include workshops and seasonal exhibitions, or choose a route based on its nature theme? The different themes give your stay a clear direction without requiring you to squeeze them all into a tight schedule.
Village History and Crafts
The village walk leads to the Church of Saint-Sidoine, dating from 1684. A botanical trail leads to the 12th-century Romanesque Chapel of Saint-Jean-Baptiste. The buildings represent different historical periods: the chapel belongs to a much earlier era than the church. This lets you tailor your visit to your interest in village history, architecture or a botanically themed walk.
Crafts in Brantes include ceramics, pottery and santon making. Numerous ceramicists, potters and santon makers live in the village. During “Brantes dans les étoiles,” they open their workshops every two years, during the year-end holidays. If you are particularly interested in these crafts, the event can determine the timing of your trip. As it takes place every two years, it is worth checking the dates for the year of your trip.
A seasonal cultural highlight takes place in summer: the Chapel of the White Penitents hosts exhibitions presented by the “Amis de Brantes.” The timing of the two offerings therefore differs: the workshops open during the year-end holidays, while the chapel exhibitions take place in summer. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the specific dates in advance.
Themed Trails and GR Routes
The Toulourenc Valley geological trail runs from Saint-LĂ©ger-du-Ventoux to Brantes. Its 16 information panels cover geology and agricultural heritage. The route thus combines two perspectives on the region: its geological features and its agricultural heritage. If both aspects interest you, the trail offers a specific focus to guide your route choice.
Botanical themes are also represented. The trail on medicinal and poisonous plants runs through the Toulourenc Valley at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Meanwhile, colours, scents and aromas are the focus of the Brantes botanical trail. These plant-related themes add another perspective to geology and agricultural heritage. The botanical walk leads to the 12th-century Romanesque Chapel of Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
Two permanently modified sections of GR routes may also influence your choice of trail. The permanent change to the GR9, in effect since spring 2021, concerns the Buis-les-Baronnies–Brantes section. The modified GR9 route is 3.3 km long and runs from Col de Font Combran to Col d’Aiguières. The permanent change to the GR91, also in effect since spring 2021, concerns the Poet en Percip–Brantes section; the modified GR91 route is 16.3 km long and runs from Ruisseau des Guiberts to Brantes. The GR91 figure is therefore 13 km longer than the modified GR9 route; however, the figures refer to different sections with different starting points. Conditions may vary on the geological route and the GR routes mentioned, so check them before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Cabrières-D'avignon, Monieux, Cheval-Blanc, Grillon, Le Barroux, Taillades, Goult, Roussillon
For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.
