Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Our tour starts just south of Vaison la Romaine in little Séguret. This town is best for
avisitearlyorlate,whenit'squieter.(Ifyougetalatestartorpreferendingyourtourhere,
begin the tour in Le Crestet—stop #3—and save the first two stops for last.)
• From Vaison la Romaine, the easiest way to reach Séguret is to follow signs for Orange,
then look for the turnoff to Séguret in a few minutes.
Séguret
Blending into the hillside with a smattering of shops, two cafés, made-to-stroll lanes, and
anaturalspring,thishamlet isunderstandably popular.Séguretmakesforagoodcoffeeor
ice cream stop.
Séguret's name comes from the Latin word
securitas
(meaning “security”). The
bulky entry arch came with a massive gate, which drilled in the message of the village's
name. IntheMiddle Ages,Séguret waspatrolled 24/7—theynevertooktheir
securitas
for
granted. Walk through the arch. To appreciate how the homes' outer walls provided secur-
ity in those days, drop down the first passage on your right (near the fountain). These exit
passages, or
poternes,
were needed in periods of peace to allow the town to expand below.
Wander deep. Rue Calade leads up to the unusual 12th-century St. Denis church for views
(the circular village you see below is Sablet).
• Signs near Séguret's parking will lead you up, up, and away to our next stop, Domaine
de Mourchon.
