Ansouis

Places to See: The Castle and the Church.
Market: Thursday morning
Source: www.ansouis.fr

At the center of the Pays d’Aygues, with the Grand Luberon and the Durance for horizons, this perched village on a hill is crowned by a thousand-year-old castle.

In the middle ages, Ansouis occupied an ideal spot to control the road between Aix en Provence and Apt.

Today, this beautifully preserved village is still dominated by its magnificent castle, former possession of the Sabran family. Before reaching it, cross the town square and go through the alleys full of beautifully restored houses: the oldest date from the 15th and 17th centuries.

The parish church of St Martin is even older: inside, you can admire reliquary busts, wood panels and an altarpiece from the 17th century.

The castle, both a medieval stronghold and a bastide from the 17th century, retains a dungeon and fortress turrets, as well as ramparts with crenellations and machicolations. The beautiful gardens are decorated with sculpted boxwood and remarkably well maintained. From the terrace, the view on the Ste Victoire mountain is superb.

 

Photo : copyright Philippe Paranteau