TOURIST FAVOURITES - CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
Between the towns of Avignon and Orange, Châteauneuf-du-Pape lies at the heart of a region steeped in history, culture and savoir-vivre.
At the top are the remains - a wall, a tower and the lower hall - of the château built by the popes in the 14th century as a summer residence to escape the summer heat of Avignon. In fact, it was the popes who first planted vines in the commune. The château was ransacked and partially destroyed during the Wars of Religion. The Germans delivered the final blow in 1944.
Accessible on foot via the stairs leading to the top of the village or, more easily, by car, the ruins offer views of the Dentelles de Montmirail, Mont Ventoux, the Rhône and even Avignon and its Palais des Papes.
If you leave your car in one of the free car parks, you can visit the village on foot. Stroll along the narrow, winding streets past medieval houses, the communal oven, the olive press and the town hall with its round tower. There is also the picturesque grocer's shop, still frequented by the villagers. The Place de la Fontaine with its café terraces and restaurants invites you to take a break.
Special features
Rue de l'Eglise or «Rompe cul» street «Facing you, steep and craggy, is Rue de l'Eglise, a street that has not always carried this name. The village elders still call it rue »Rompe Cul«, from the Provençal »Roumpo qiéu«, which means »ass-breaker", and although it's difficult to climb, be even more wary on the way down! It is said in Châteauneuf-du-Pape that there have been so many falls over the centuries that you can still hear the screams and swear words of the victims on this street. So if you're reading this, be warned!
Eating out
Designed as a place to share and relax around truffles and wine, TERRAE Truffles and Wine offers two distinct atmospheres: The «Côté Bar», which extends out onto the terrace, offering light meals at lunchtime and cocktails in the evening, and the Restaurant, where you can enjoy simple, refined cuisine based on the truffle of the moment. Our very natural setting, both raw and vegetal, is located at the foot of the emblematic village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Our entire team will be delighted to welcome you... for a culinary and convivial interlude around truffles and wine!
Drinks and delicacies
I've deliberately left out the vineyards and cellars of Châteauneuf du Pape because their reputation has spread beyond our borders and is known the world over.
ÉTABLISSEMENT BLACHERE
I'm the oldest distillery in Provence. But I'm more than just walls and machines. My heart beats to the rhythm of the people who run me. V.L Blachère, my founder, and his son, Auguste Blachère, set me up in 1835 at 14 rue Molière, right in the heart of Avignon. I often get away from it all and let myself be carried away by the powerful perfume that blows in from the heights of Mont Ventoux.
In 1960, I launched «PAC Citron», a syrup made from sugar and lemon, without colouring. It was a huge success throughout the region, and from then on it became my flagship product. The recognition was there, and PAC Citron became an emblematic drink of Provence. Nearly 60 years later, PAC Citron is still made in the VAUCLUSE by the SARL A. BLACHERE. It is said in Provence that «people who have never tasted PAC Citron are not true Provençals».»
CASTELIN FACTORY
Located at the same place on the road to Sorgues, you will enjoy tasting the CASTELIN chocolate factory. Bernard Castelain founded the Chocolaterie in 1994, in the heart of the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards in the Vaucluse. He made his first chocolate, Palet des Papes, with the aim of finding the perfect balance between dark chocolate and Marc de Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and creating a great chocolate for a great vineyard.
Committed to the quality of our products, we make top-of-the-range chocolates every day, selecting quality raw materials and adding the traditional know-how that is a credit to French gastronomy. Our positioning hasn't changed since the company was founded, and we're still committed to offering quality products at fair prices!
