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Malaucène is a large town, with the newer part built around the walled old town.
The huge 14th century fortified church has an interesting multi-pillared clock tower, and there's an old belltower on one of the entrance portes through the old wall.
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Also: |
Apt Lavender Itineraries |
Nearby: |
Aurel 40 km |
Avignon 43 km |
Barroux 6 km |
Beaumes-de-Venise 12 km |
Bedoin 12 km |
Caromb 10 km |
Carpentras 18 km |
Dentelles-de-Montmirail 1 km |
Saint Pierre-de-Vassols 12 km |
Sault 47 km (via Bedoin or Mt Ventoux) |
Vaison-la-Romaine 10 km |
Ventoux Mountain 21 km |
Hotels near Malaucène: |
10 km Vaison-la-Romaine |
12 km Bedoin |
18 km Carpentras |
43 km Avignon |
Many of the buildings in the old town are abandoned, but many others are refurbished or otherwise in good condition and being used.
There's an abundance of local shops, and the many terrace cafés are shaded by plane trees that are several hundred years old.
Grottos
There are numerous grottos in the region, including the Grotte de Notre-Dame-des-Anges, with 110 m of accessible galleries and an underground source and lake.
History
Name
First record, 10th century Malaucena
Prehistoric:
neolithic vestiges were found in several nearby grottos.
Gallo-Roman:
A Gallic oppidum was located at the Col St. Michel. In front of the Chapelle du Groseau there's an inscription to the Galic God Groselos. There are some remains of the Roman aquaduct that provided water to Vaison.
Medieval:
This well-fortified town was captured and pillaged twice by the Calvinists during the 16th century, and both times they succeeded by ruse.
Office de Tourisme
Tel : 04 90 65 22 59; Fax: 04 90 65 22 59
(Apr-Sept)
Dates
Market day: Wednesday
Fête du cheval, d'été: 1st weekend August
Fête St. Michel: end Sept
Other Sites
Abbey
Abbey Sainte-Madeleine du Barroux
The recent but famous traditionalist Roman Catholic Benedictine Abbey of Sainte Madelieine was founded in 1978 by Dom Gérard Calvet (1927-2008).
Location:
1.5 km north of le Barroux; 4 km southwest of Malaucène. Accessable by car or by hiking.
Abbey Our Lady of the Annunciation - Abbaye de Notre-Dame de l'Annonciation
The Benedictine abbey of Our Lady of the Annunciation was beguin in 1979 by four young girls with Mother Elizabeth. The site of old monastery at La Font-de-Pertus was selected in 1983. The monastery was made an abbey in 1992, and today (2010) there are more then 40 nuns in the order. The nuns are served by Priest-Monks from the nearby Abbey Sainte-Madeleine du Barroux.
Location:
3 km northeast of Le Barroux; 3 km southwest of Malaucène.
Tel: 0490 652 929; Fax: 04 90 65 29 30
The Nuns of the Abbaye de Notre-Dame de l'Annonciation got some rare publicity in July 2010 when they signed a record deal with Decca Records (part of Universal Music). Selected as some of the best Gregorian Chant singers from a world-wide search, the sisters will release the album Voice: Chant From Avignon in November 2010.
Avignon is 35 km to the southwest, well past the town of Carpentras. But then, who's heard of Le Barroux.
Transportation Malaucène
Bus
Department 84, Vaucluse Buses
See Beyond's Bus Schedules Page 2: Vaucluse Department for downloading Vaucluse bus-lines map [Plan global des lignes] and bus-line schedules [pdf for each line] (link for PDF files).
• Avignon has train or bus connections to Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Nîmes, Saint Remy-de-Provence, Paris.
• Cavaillon has bus connections to Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Saint Remy-de-Provence.
• Pertuis has bus connections to Aix-en-Provence and Marseille.
Bus
Line 11, Carpentras - Vaison-la-Romaine
Stops: Carpentras, Caromb, Le Barroux, Malaucène, Entrechaux, Le Crestet, Vaison-la-Romaine.
There are connecting bus lines between Carpentras and: Avignon; Cavaillon; Orange.
Fun - Amusement - Kids
Mini Golf
Mini Golf du Groseau
Location:
cabanon Le Groseau
Tel: 0490 652 867
Sports
Cycling
ACS Cycles
Rental and Repair
Location:
Avenue de Verdun
Tel: 0490 652 542
Mont Ventoux Climb
Malaucène is a popular base for cyclists. One of the 3 Mt Ventoux Climbs (Les 3 montées du Ventoux) begins in Malaucène: 21 km, 1570 m altitude difference, 7.5% average. The Office de Tourisme will stamp your start time.
Ventourisme
Location:
av Verdun
Tel: 0490 651 410
Ventoux Bikes
Rental - sales - repair - accessories for bicycles, road bikes, mountain bikes, tandems, children's bikes and tows. Mountain bikes also available at the Mont Serein resort atop Mont Ventoux. Daily shuttles to the top. Guided cycling tours with licensed instructor.
Location:
1 Avenue de Verdun
Open: 8h30-19h; April - mid-June daily except Thur; mid-June Oct daily.
Tel: 0490 625 819
Email: info@ventoux-bikes.fr
Web: www.ventoux-bikes.fr/
Hiking
Maps:
IGN (1/25,000) #3040 ET "Carpantras, Vaison-la-Romaine"
Didier Richard (1/50,000) #27 "Ventoux"
The GR4 (Grande Randonnée) passes east-west through Malaucène, and there are additional trails that branch off from the GR4 on both sides of the village.
To the west, the GR4 goes into the mountains that run from Vaison-la-Romaine in the north to Beaumes-de-Venise in the south.
This group of hills contains the Crête de St. Amand, Grande Montagne and the spectacular Dentelles Montmirail.
In the northern part of these mountains especially there are many trails that branch off from the GR4 into the forested hills and valleys.
To the east, the GR4 goes into the Ventoux mountains. The GR4 itself and the connecting GR91 and many other trails explore this mountainous region, with the GR4 passing across the Mont Ventoux peak at 1910 m.
Separate trails also go south from the Ventoux mountains to the villages of Caromb and Bédoin.
Lodging - Hotels
Lodging
Arts et Vie de Malaucène
Recommended in 1998 and again in 2006 by Beyond reader Bob Irvine: "... years ago I gave you a recommended accomodation in Malaucene and still go there as there has been no fall in the standard. ... you can now download a brochure with the prices and a booking form in several languages including English."
Location:
boulevard des Remparts
Tel: 0490 126 200; Fax: 0490 12 62 99
Web: www.artsetvie.com/english/malaucene.htm
Hotels in Towns Nearby to Malaucène
• 10 km — Vaison-la-Romaine hotels
• 12 km — Bedoin hotels
• 18 km — Carpentras hotels
• 43 km — Avignon hotels
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Photo gallery of 2 photos for Malaucène