Set on a rocky ridge, La Roque-Sur-Pernes overlooks the meeting point of several valleys. The village brings together the history of the Château féodal, the construction of the Bories and memorials; a hike offers a distinct focus. When planning, it is worth keeping these interests separate: fortification and village layout, rural building styles, remembrance, seasonal picking, or a route with a detour.
The Château féodal and the village layout
The Château féodal dates from the 11th century and was developed as a citadel on a steep rock. Its surviving fortifications enclose the upper part of the village. The streets are narrow and winding; they complement the history of the fortified heights with the character of the village itself. This allows two perspectives to be distinguished: the citadel on the rock and the layout of the village streets.
Bories and memorial sites
The Bories reflect a different building purpose from the citadel. They served agricultural or pastoral purposes and were built between the 17th and 19th centuries. They were constructed without mortar using dry-stone masonry and corbelled construction. With this building technique, the upper courses of stone project inwards. The comparison highlights differences in function, period and technique: the Château centres on the function of a citadel, while the Bories are defined by their agricultural or pastoral use and dry-stone construction.
The Église aux Saints Pierre et Paul is mentioned in documents of the Abbey of Saint Victor in Marseille. The Fontaine du Renard is located in the village square. These add two further local points of interest to the building history: a religious connection to the named abbey and a named fountain in the village square.
A triptych in the village commemorates the tragic events experienced by the Banat Swabians—Danube Swabians or French people from the Banat. Alongside the buildings, it adds a remembrance of this population group's experiences. For travellers seeking more than architecture during a cultural history stay, the triptych offers a distinct thematic perspective.
Village views and seasonal picking
The Route de la colline Saint-Antoine offers a view of the village perched high above. This roadside view complements the perspective of the narrow, winding streets and the surviving fortifications in the village.
At Domaine les Touchines, the farm welcomes visitors to pick cherries, grapes and olives in La Roque-Sur-Pernes. Picking is seasonal; confirm availability before your visit. If a particular fruit is the deciding factor for your trip, it is best to check in advance whether picking is possible. Here, the right timing matters alongside your interest in the agricultural experience.
The “Autour de la Roque sur Pernes” hike
The “Autour de la Roque sur Pernes” hike follows the GRP Tour des Monts du Vaucluse and passes near the hamlet of Barbarenque. It also includes an out-and-back detour to Sous les Gardy, where there is a picnic area. The GRP route and the additional detour are separate planning details: one identifies the hike's route, while the other marks an out-and-back destination. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
There are several options for your stay: the fortifications and village history, the Bories' dry-stone construction, seasonal picking or the hike with its detour. You can prioritise these according to your interests without treating them as a single route.
Discover more destinations: Richerenches, Lourmarin, Caderousse, Lagnes, Viens, Camaret-Sur-Aigues, Bédoin, Lioux
For the regional travel overview: Vaucluse.
