Eyragues

The streets of the old town have a number of interesting sights, and the overall impression is pleasant and colorful. There are a few ancient doorways, and many of the houses have been nicely decorated with Provencal pastel colors and trim.

The Office de Tourisme has a map of the town (plan de ville) that includes a nice walking tour that points out the sights. The tourist office is in a lovely building in its own right, beside the main square, Place de la Libération, and includes the town's library.

The Saint-Maxime church in the center of town has its origins in the 11th or 12th centuy, although there are several more recent additions. The tall, pointed clock-tower is 17th century, and two Romanesque chapels form a false transept.

Another old chapel, the Chapelle du Pieux Zèle (originally named Notre-Dame de la Pucelle) is located a 10-minute walk (800 m) southwest of the center, via Chemin de Notre Dame. This chapel was built in the 11th century as a hermitage, but the existing structure is the result of 17th and 19th century enlargements. Gallo-Roman tombs were discovered nearby.

Fortified Eyragues

The village of Eyragues was fortified in the 13th century, and eventually surrounded by a wall and a moat. This drawing (from a Tourist Office document) shows the walls as they were in 1638. Part of the original ramparts can still be seen, mostly around the north side.

The northeast entry portal, called Portail du Moulin, still has parts of the wall and part of one tower remaining.

Mills of Eyragues

There were several mills around Eyragues as far back as the 14th century. The mill located at the northeast edge of the village, beside the fortified entry, was called Moulin de Conil, or more recently, Moulin de la Porte. This mill burnt down in 1881, and is currently be rebuilt (seemingly quite modern,a nd we're not sure as what). This waterwheel is located across the street in front of the mill.

Taureau à la Corde

The Passing of a Tradition. The oldest of all the bull events (jeux taurins) is called taureau à la corde or, torro on the rope. It's also known as taureau à la bourgine, with bourgine being the Provençal work for rope. And, locally, it was called Encierro à l'Eyraguaise.

This has been an annual tradition in Eyragues for 150 years, and is now finished, as of 2015. The idea is that a rather ferocious black bull of the Camarge has a long rope attached around its horns and is led (or leads) the villagers through the streets, with spectators watching, participating or trying to keep out of its way.

The rope method has been considered for many years to be cruel to the animal, and somewhat dangerous for the specators. The taureau à la corde has been progressively and officially illegal since the1970s, but has continued in Eyragues until now. However, a final and definitive law has been passed and is being enforced, so this year (2015) is the first year the town is without its tradition.