Roussillon, Gordes and Surrounds Today

Although Gordes history includes Roman occupation as evidenced by ruins throughout the area, their claim to fame really began in the 8th century. A Benedictine Abbey, Saint Chaffrret, was founded by monks. The building site was an ancient Roman temple that had been destroyed by the Moorish invasion. These literal layers of human history are fascinating, Then in 1031 a castle was added to the site and thus it became known as the Castrum Gordone or the nobile castrum.

During World War II Gordes was an active resistance village and was awarded the Croix de Guerre.

After the war the beauty of the countryside and the uniqueness of Gordes attracted Marc Chagall and his friends like Vasarely for extended periods.

On our way home we stopped at the Museum of Lavender to learn all about the medicinal, therapeutic and aromatic powers of the herb.

Today the Mistral wind blew at full force, cold and unrelenting. Locals told us that rain follows diminished wind. We shall see.