Puget brings together a historic centre, a karst landscape and hiking trails. Puget-sur-Durance sits on a steep promontory above the Durance. In the historic centre, old houses cluster around Notre-Dame Church; the surrounding area is easy to explore on foot. To get to know the village, you can discover its architectural history on a walk and choose between the historic GR®965 long-distance trail, the hike to Pic de l’Aigle and the karst formations, each offering a different focus.

Historic Centre and History

The walk through the historic centre takes you around Notre-Dame and the old houses clustered on the promontory. The church is an important heritage landmark in Puget and dates back to the 13th century. This area is a convenient starting point for a stroll through the village, while the church also provides a clear historical focal point in the townscape.

Another chapter in the village’s history began in 1619, when the community was re-established. At that time, a lord from Dauphiné granted land to families who cleared and farmed it. The village’s development is therefore also tied to the use of the land. The Reformed Church of Puget-sur-Durance, built in the 19th century, offers another point of reference. It recalls the importance of Protestant history in this part of the southern Luberon. Together, Notre-Dame, the Reformed Church and the turning point of 1619 offer different historical reference points without reducing the story to a single period.

Hiking Between History and Landscape

The GR®965, “Sur les pas des Huguenots,” passes through Puget. Along its 1,800-kilometre international route, it largely follows the historic path of the Huguenot exile. The trail thus connects a specific link to the village with a wider historical route. Those interested in the hike will find that its name and focus set it apart from a walk centred primarily on landscape views.

The hike from Puget-sur-Durance to Pic de l’Aigle offers this kind of perspective: from there, you can enjoy views of the Durance Valley, the Alpilles and Montagne Sainte-Victoire. These landscapes give the hike its distinctive character. Its focus is therefore different from that of the GR®965 and the trail’s history; the two routes need not be treated as one.

Karst Formations on the Ridges

The geological formations are another striking feature of Puget. The surrounding area has karst features such as rock shelters, caves and aven (vertical shafts). The Arche du Portalas is one of the best-known formations on the ridges. This adds another perspective on the landscape to the churches and historical hiking routes. These formations offer a different focus from the historic centre: there, old houses and religious buildings take centre stage; here, natural features shape the landscape.

When planning your visit, you can choose between these different highlights: a walkable historic centre with its churches, a hike with views of three named landscapes, or the Huguenot Trail and its historical connections. Puget brings together local history, landscape and hiking, each in its own way.

For an overview of the wider region: Vaucluse.