Set on a hill, Saint-Martin-De-Castillon offers views of the Grand Luberon. Four chapels in the village centre, buildings from different periods and a historic walking trail give your stay a distinct cultural focus. There are also 46.5 kilometres of hiking trails in the municipality, as well as two named routes: EuroVelo 8 and a stage of the Chemin de Compostelle.
Chapels and churches with stories of their own
There are four chapels in the village centre, which you can visit or admire from the outside. The votive chapel of Saint-Placide was built after the great plague that struck the region in 1720. A pilgrimage to Saint Roch was held there until the 1950s. Notre-Dame-de-Courennes is of Romanesque origin and was probably built on the remains of a Gallo-Roman temple. A tradition of an annual pilgrimage is also recorded for this chapel: the residents of Saint-Martin-De-Castillon would pray for rain.
The former priory of Saint-Pierre is a Romanesque complex, now in ruins. The parish church of the Assumption has Romanesque origins and preserves, among other things, a wooden image of Christ from the 16th century. In Le Boisset, the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste dates from the 17th century; its features include an offset bell tower and a hexagonal apse.
A landscape of woodland and culture
The surrounding area is characterised by vineyards, cherry trees, almond trees and lavender. With 2,318 hectares of woodland, 60 percent of the municipality is forested. Glorivette is designated as a geological protected site. Alongside its buildings, the destination’s character also reflects its agricultural, wooded and geological features.
Walking trails and routes in the municipality
The municipality has a total of 46.5 kilometres of walking trails. A historic walking trail has been created to guide visitors through the village. Check local signage and trail conditions before setting out.
An inconspicuous path from the main road, the D900, passes a medieval chapel, the cemetery and the ruins of the former priory of Saint-Pierre. A path to the Notre-Dame-de-Courennes chapel begins in front of the village of Berdine. From the last left-hand bend before the village, a short, wooded path leads to the votive chapel of Saint-Placide; the path is barely visible from the road. Check local conditions before setting out.
EuroVelo 8, also known as the Route de la Méditerranée, passes through Saint-Martin-De-Castillon. The Chemin de Compostelle also crosses the municipality on the Céreste–Arles stage, passing through Les Guis, La Grande Bastide and Glorivette, among other places. Other possible activities include walking, horse riding and cycling. When travelling on the named routes, it is advisable to check local route markers and current conditions.
Plan your stay and accommodation
Discover more destinations: Vaison-La-Romaine, Joucas, Saint-Léger-Du-Ventoux, Oppède-Le-Vieux, Viens, Le Pontet, Loriol-Du-Comtat, Saint-Trinit
For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.
