Entrechaux is a small village located near the North-East border of Vaucluse (which is one of the many Provence departments) Every year there’s a unique medieval event that usually takes place in July. This tour gives the opportunity to visit the village itself: Entrechaux city hall and its church.
It also “elevates” you: two parts of the tour had me go uphill towards an oratory (Our Lady of La Salette) and Entrechaux castle itself, and gave me unique views on the village below them and the countryside surrounding it .
Finally, Entrechaux is also renown for its chapels and I got to see 2 of them: Our Lady of Nazareth’s and Saint-AndrĂ©’s chapels.
I’ve also included a nice walk around Le SĂ©guret hill to have the opportunity to look closer at the stunning countryside around (including sights on the Ventoux Mountain afar)
- Entrechaux City Hall
- Oratory of Our Lady of La Salette
- Main church “ImmaculĂ©e Conception”
- Entrechaux Castle
- Le SĂ©guret hill
- Chapel of Our Lady of Nazareth
- Chapel of Saint-André
- Cimetery
- Cross
Note: this map can be downloaded here (1 pdf file). Additional (and more detailled) maps are available here (1 pdf file).
Entrechaux City Hall
Once you’re parked (in front of the primary school), take Rue Saint-Jean towards the village centre.
Once you’ve reached the village’s main street (Avenue des Princes d’Orange), you’ll be able to see the Entrechaux City Hall on your left hand side.
If you’re facing the city hall, you’ll notice the castle sitting uphill in the background.
Oratory of Our Lady of La Salette
This oratory is located uphill and sits on a nice vantage point where you’ll be able to admire Entrechaux village below and its castle (on the other side)
After you’ve left the City Hall’s place, and follow Avenue des Princes d’Orange for a few meters, then turn right into Rue de la Salette. This street turns into a trail that’ll go uphill. Many other trails have been created over the years (mainly shortcuts), try to follow the main one (meaning: the easiest one) At the T-section, go right for a few minutes (there’s a thin trail) and you’ll end up on a promontory where Our Lady of La Salette oratory sits.
You’ll then need to go back by the same way you came: follow the thin trail back to the T-section, turn left and go downhill following rue de La Salette until you reach the village’s main street (Avenue des Princes d’Orange)
Saint-Laurent La Neuve Church
Entrechaux has two churches. The first (and oldest) one was built below the castle. And the second one: Saint-Laurent La Neuve (also called “ImmaculĂ©e Conception”) is located at the foot of the hill, at the heart of the village.
The building sitting next to the church used to be a presbytery and is today the village library.
Once you’ve reached the Avenue des Princes d’Orange, go right towards the village center. In a few meters you’ll see the main church on your right hand side. Sitting next to the church (on its right) is the village library. Entrechaux library used to be a presbytery. You’ll notice a nice statue above its entrance and a colourful dovecote on its roof.
A tall metal cross was erected next to its entrance and tall trees punctuate this nice place.
Entrechaux Castle
Once you’ve left the church place, go back to the Avenue des Princes d’Orange, and cross it to reach its other side and start going uphill via Rue du Château.
This street will lead you uphill to the castle. An occitan stone cross sits right before the entrance to the castle (on your left hand side)
The castle is being restored throughout the year, so be careful when you enter this site.
Le SĂ©guret hill
Next is a nice walk around a local hill: Le SĂ©guret Hill. Going around it gives the opportunity to have a 360-degre-look at the surroundings, including the Ventoux Mountain.
You’ll then need to go back by the same way you came: follow the street (“Rue du Château” or “MontĂ©e du Château”) back to the village’s main street (Avenue des Princes d’Orange) and turn left. Keep walking along this main street, until you reach a roundabout and then turn left on Route de Faucon. This street is the Western section of our tour around Le SĂ©guret hill. We won’t go up that hill, but rather walk all around it.
Keep walking until the next intersection and take right onto Chemin du SĂ©guret (which is the Northern and Eastern sections of this hill tour).
You may notice the Ventoux Mountain in the distance. Keep walking until you reach Chemin de Fanaud (which will be the Southern and last section of this hill tour) Keep going straigth on Chemin de Fanaud which then bends to the left (keep the housing estate on your right) until you reach the village main street, also named “D13” (be careful as it’s a busy road)
Go cross this road and reach the small street starting on to the other side of it. Follow this street (Chemin du Traversier) that will lead you away from the main road and into the countryside.
Chapel of Our Lady of Nazareth
When you’ve reached the tall trail marker (with yellow signs), go left. The trail will lead you up to Our Lady of Nazareth chapel.
You’ll then need to go back by the same trail you came up: follow it back to the trail marker. Be careful when going downhill as gravel here and there makes the ground a bit slippery (a walking stick could be handy).
Once you’ve reach the trail marker, turn left and follow the trail that goes South through the field.
Chapel of Saint-André
At the end of this trail (going along a stone wall on your left), you’ll reach Chemin Saint-AndrĂ©: go left towards chapel Saint-AndrĂ© (which is only a few meters away).
A tall cypress tree stands tall next to its entrance and you’ll find blooming (pink) laurel bushes in spring / summer time which adds to the beauty of this building.
Cimetery
To reach the cimetery, you’ll need to keep going on that same street (Chemin de Saint-AndrĂ©) that goes South. At one point, you’ll walk along a nice field of cherry trees (white flowers blooming, then fruits during Spring months) until you meet a T-junction: turn right onto Chemin Long Champ. The cimetery is only a few meters away on your right-hand side.
Cross
This metal cross is located at the junction of Champ Long and Saint-Catherine roads.
Keep walking along Chemin Long Champ, and you’ll end up at a Y-junction with a metal cross in the middle of it. Go right (Chemin de Sainte-Catherine) to go back to the village center. Once you’re arrived at the village main street (Avenue des Princes d’Orange), you may go left and go towards the center. You’ll soon pass by the church (on your left-hand side), then the City Hall (on your right-hand side): turn right after the City Center to get back to the car park (Rue Saint-Jean)