Venasque is a stunning, beautifully restored medieval village defined by a 6th Century Baptisty at one end and the remains of the old fortifications at the other. According to the sign as you enter the village, Venasque is one of the most beautiful villages in France. We couldn't agree more.
La Planette is a small square in the heart of Venasque near to the village church and just 100 metres or so from the boulangerie and epicerie as well as cafés and restaurants.
The living room boasts a picture window which offers one of the valley's most stunning views of Mont Ventoux. The house has been renovated artfully, combining modern effects with original features together with a collection of contemporary works by English pop-artist Colin Self and local metal sculptor, Etienne Viard, and others . The ground floor is open plan with a well-equipped, modern kitchen, dining area and a separate living area with leather sofa and fireplace (for winter visitors - this place is every bit as stunning any time of the year).
There are four bedrooms on two floors, each with a double bed, air conditioning and electric shutters. Each floor has a well-equipped bathroom including hair dryers. There is a second living room on the first floor for watching TV or getting away from it. Part of the house's architectural beauty is the open, stone staircases. Stair gates are provided at ground floor and on the top floor.
The cellar includes a washing machine for guests' use and there is Wi-Fi throughout the house. The pool has an automated system and electric cover. The night-time arrosage (sprinkler system) ensures the garden is one of the greenest around.
The garden is divided into three sections: closest to the house is the terrace for outdoor dining and a small grassed garden with olive and apricot trees. Through a gate and down a few steps is the swimming pool and at the far end of the garden is a gravelled area with seating, the perfect spot to enjoy a pre-dinner glass of wine whilst watching the stunning view of the sun going down over nearby Carpentras.
Venasque is perched on a rock with the ruins of the medieval fortifications at one end (with a superb view of the region and a great children's play park) and, at the other end, a picture postcard 11th century church built on the remains of a 6th century baptistery, itself constructed on the ruins of a Roman temple, once the area's cathedral, hence the old name for the region, the Comtat Venaissin.
Amenities
For such a small village (most of the inhabitants live in the Notre Dame de Vie convent in the valley below the village), Venasque is well provided for with a bread shop and a small epicure (on Mondays there is a traditional Provençal market in St Didier, 3 miles away) . There are restaurants too, offering a range of foods to suit most people.
From mid-June to mid-September the village hosts a lively early evening market every Friday with food stalls, art, wine and other local produce. As the village is inevitably home to several artists and sculptors, there are some small galleries worth visiting during your stay.
For the more athletic (or anyone feeling guilty after all the fine food and wine), there is a sports area on the edge of the village including a tennis court and the delightful 20 minute walk around the rock should be a daily ritual.
Around Venasque
Apart from St Didier, the town of Carpentras is only 10 minutes away and has supermarkets, restaurants and one of the largest French markets every Friday when traders take over the town centre. Avignon is half an hour away and for those who, like us, want to explore the region viticulturally, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas and most of the great wine villages of the Vaucluse are no more than about half an hour's drive. We would be happy to make recommendations of places to visit according to your preferences, wine budget, language needs etc.
What makes Venasque so perfectly situated is all the above together with its proximity to the Luberon, a region which is home to many other spectacular villages (including Gordes, Roussillon and Lacoste, home to the Marquis de Sade) as well as the beautiful working monastery, the Abbaye de Senanque (which sells the best honey in the world). Just a little further away (generally no more than an hour's drive) are other spectacular sites including the Ardeche's Pont d'Arc, the Pont du Gard and the Postman's Palace (Palais Ideal de Facteur Cheval).
