The village’s history stretches from the settlement at Le Castelas, abandoned in the 15th century, to the parish church of Saint-Martin–Saint-Blaise, built between 1626 and 1629. Other features include traces in squares and streets, a seasonal farmers’ market and a circular cycling route. Saint-Martin-De-La-Brasque is part of the Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon; walks in the Grand Luberon offer a variety of landscape impressions. When planning your stay, you can weigh up a focus on cultural history against one that is more oriented towards the landscape.
Village History and Church Construction
The former village at Le Castelas was abandoned in the 15th century and is now in ruins. The present-day parish church of Saint-Martin–Saint-Blaise is a separate site: it was built between 1626 and 1629 to replace an earlier, ruined church in the village. These two sites represent different chapters in local history—the abandonment of a settlement and the later construction of a new church.
The parish church’s architecture also offers specific details. The nave has a continuous barrel vault with a broken profile and ends in an apse with a half-dome. A bell gable with openings dating from 1881 adds to the description of the church’s construction. Visitors interested in architecture can consider these features alongside the construction date as distinct aspects of the parish church.
Another historic building is the Mairie-École, dating from 1905. It features a trompe-l’œil perspective created in the 1970s, which plays with painted spatial depth. Together with the older parish church, it offers a comparison between different building periods and design details, although the buildings do not date from the same period.
Squares, Streets and Small Details
Place de la Fontaine occupies the site of the former cemetery. A plaque in the square commemorates a new settlement act from 1506. The square and plaque thus connect two different points of interest: the site’s former use and an event in local history.
Other features can be found along streets and at intersections. Rue des Cataformes ends at a vaulted passage known as a soustet. The fountain at the intersection of Rue des Treilles and Rue du Cadran dates from the 16th century. A sundial, surrounded by two angels, is painted on a light blue Renaissance-style façade. These details draw attention, respectively, to a passage, a fountain and a façade motif.
The village’s history also includes everyday practices of the past: there used to be a large meadow below Rue des Crotonnes, near the lavoir, where laundry was spread out to dry. This recollection complements the building history with a glimpse of how the area was once used.
Market, Cycling Route and Landscape
The Marché Paysan de Saint-Martin-de-la-Brasque takes place on Sunday mornings from May to October at Place du Village. As seasonal dates may change, check them before your trip. The timeframe is important when planning: the market is described as a seasonal offering, not a year-round event.
A specific cycling route also passes through Saint-Martin-De-La-Brasque: the circular route “ANSOUIS – A vélo, entre terroirs et olives” follows the D165 into the village and leaves it towards the D27. As a different way to experience the landscape, consider walks in the Grand Luberon, which offer a variety of landscape impressions.
When planning your stay, you can distinguish between the different highlights: the market is a seasonal event, the village’s history includes individual architectural and commemorative details, and walks offer a chance to experience the landscape. First decide which theme you would like to focus on during your stay, then use it as a criterion when choosing your accommodation.
Discover more destinations: Oppède, Apt, Lagarde-D'apt, Entraigues-Sur-La-Sorgue, Puget, Mornas, Roussillon, Lauris
For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.
