Vaugines lies on the foothills of the southern slope of the Luberon. The old village center, its building history and the Cucuron–Vaugines pilgrimage route offer different focal points for a stay. If you are considering Vaugines as a destination, you can weigh up whether you are primarily interested in the history of individual buildings or would like to plan a hike.
Church and former cemetery
The history of the Église paroissiale Saint-Barthélémy dates back to the 11th century: the original building was dedicated to Saint-Sauveur. The nave was built in the first half of the 13th century. Since January 20, 2000, the church has been classified as a historic monument. The decree also includes the adjacent former cemetery and its enclosure. The cemetery is no longer in use and preserves several 19th-century gravestones. Thus, alongside the church’s construction phases, the gravestones and the former cemetery grounds are also part of the village’s history.
Layers of architectural history in the village
The Maison dite la Commanderie also cannot be attributed to a single year of construction. It developed from a house dating to the 13th or 14th century; surviving openings date from the late 15th century, the early 16th century and the middle of the 17th century. Its dating therefore spans several centuries, making its different construction phases a topic of interest. The Capitainerie also has a specific date: it was built around 1550.
The Chapelle Saint-Joseph has a different story. Between 1873 and 1875, a private individual bequeathed a house for use as a chapel. On the south side of the Chapelle is a triple sundial that shows solar time as well as winter and summer time. The former Chapelle Saint-Joseph was converted into the Vaugines municipal library in 1988. The chapel, its sundial and its documented later use therefore offer different points of interest if you are interested in architectural and local history.
Lanes with fossils and film history
The old village center has another distinctive feature: its lanes contain numerous fossils, including Rue des Coquillages. There is also a connection to film. The church square and the fountain in Vaugines served as filming locations in 1986 for Claude Berri’s films Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources. If you know the films, these two landmarks connect the village to a specific chapter of its film history; at the same time, fossils in the lanes offer a very different focus for exploration.
Hiking, wine and practical planning
The Cucuron–Vaugines pilgrimage route is an easy circular walk: the trail is 7.9 kilometers long and takes about three hours on foot. The route sheet dated November 3, 2023, gives these details; check local conditions before setting out. The distance and walking time give you a clear guide for the hiking portion of your trip. This lets you plan the loop as a distinct focus of your stay, rather than thinking of it only as a short addition to the village’s history.
For wine enthusiasts, Domaine Michel Isouard in Vaugines is another local destination. A description updated in February 2025 lists it as an organic producer. The domaine produces AOC Côtes-du-Luberon red, white and rosé wines, as well as Vin de Pays; the wine is made using natural methods. If you are planning a visit, check access and availability beforehand.
For getting there, a timetable from July 2020 lists the Les Vaisses (RD56) and Centre stops in Vaugines on ZOU line 19. Check the current timetable before travelling. Together with the approximately three-hour walk, this information can help you weigh up possible focuses for your stay: local history, a walk on foot or learning about local winegrowing.
Discover more destinations: Richerenches, Saint Didier, Beaumont-De-Pertuis, Pertuis, Vacqueyras, Saint-Marcellin-Lès-Vaison, Lapalud, Saint-Romain-En-Viennois.
For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.
