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Sunday 21 March 2010
Ste Clémence
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Menerbes
Vaucluse Department
Population : 1 157 people (2006)
Menerbes's old village extends over a lengthened spur, in shape of vessel, as already noted it Nostradamus, with its bow and its stern. Ménerbes, whose name reminds that of Minerva, Roman goddess with a golden helmet, was lived from the superior paléolithique (Soubeyras shelter), and the calcolithique (Pitchoune's dolmen, unique in Vaucluse).
At the Roman time, several districts situated at feet of the village, was strewed of "villae" of whom numerous vestiges were found. Before the invasions of the Vth century, the hermit Beaver based its Mananca's convent, and one can see, nowadays even, its cave at feet of the Luberon.
Ménerbes and Provence in the Middle Ages
The access to Ménerbes, stuffed with underground passages, was made by two doors, Saint Suaveur et Notre-Dame, which appear under shape of two golden keys in Ménerbes's coats of arms, Comtat Venaissin City.
Ménerbes's history is bound to Comtat Venaissin into which it was integrated from 1274.
In the West, there is a magnificent panoramic view on the Luberon and Vaucluse Mountains, from the former cemetery, close to the church from the XIVth century, richly decorated. The former Orphanage and the Belfry with the bell tower, cheer up the square of the city hall.
Ménerbes and its siege of fifteen months
One important moment of Ménerbes's history is situated in the XVIth century, during religious wars. The city, removed by surprise by the Huguenots after a priest's treason, was occupied from 1573 to the end of 1578, and supported a siege of fifteen months from the Pope and the French King's catholic troops. The besieged left Ménerbes with the honors of war. Ménerbiens even keep today the big cast iron cannonballs which flooded the village.
Beautiful houses in Ménerbes
Old houses, private for the greater part, give a shabby figure to old Ménerbes : The Castellet (fortress reconstructed after the catholic bombardments of the XVIth century in whom lived Nicolas de Stael from 1953 till 1954), the Carmejane (General Baron of Empire's house), the Tingry's HôteI (where lived before the Revolution the count of Rantzau, who had avoided Denmark), the Citadel (built after the siege, to defend Ménerbes), the General of Empire Robert's house, became Picasso's property. Still let us indicate the Clock Tower, surmounted with a bell tower, St Blaise's chapel and Clovis Hugues's monument, political and delicate Provençal poet of the last century, born in Castellet's mill.
In Ménerbes passed so many illustrious people. Nowadays, it shelters in a brilliant peace numerous painters, musicians, writers...
Marchés
- Bread, wine and cheeseMenerbes organizes a nice market for wine bread and cheese near Easter week end each year
- Flower showFlower show in Menerbes in may
- Garage saleIn october garage sale in Menerbes
- Truffle marketBetween Christmas and New Year's Day a great moment with the gastronomic star: the truffle
Monuments
This beautiful building belongs to the municipality since 1752. Transformed into orphanage in the 19th century and into boy's school in the 20th century.
It was registered in 1996 on the list of Ancient Monuments.
It is today the "Maison de la Truffe et des Vins du Luberon".
Salons, gardens, possibility of seminars, exhibitions and wine classes...
In a Provençal rural environment, facing the Luberon, this former convent was developed in 1250 from a pre-existent religious site, for wren part, by Carmelites, Begging order based on the Carmel Mount in Palestine, having migrated in 1244 in Marseille, in the Aygalades's hermitage cave.
Saint-Hilaire is an atypical architectural whole which evokes Gothic forms while preserving a Romanic memory, where the successive Priors knew how to maintain the works which accompanied the development of the monachal community in perfect coherence with their Rule of life and their local brilliance.
See the web site of this private ancient monument >>
Ménerbes's bell tower surmounts a building dating from the 15th century, in shape of square tower, having sheltered the city hall until 1977.
The original construction was medieval. Outpost during Ménerbes's siege, the small castle keeps rests of the time when it was a fortress.
He allowed his occupants a surprising resistance.
This house, where lived Nicolas de Staël, is always the property of his family.
Private site. No visit.
Built in the current state after Ménerbes's siege.
Since the Middle Ages existed fortifications, houses and the famous Cornille tower which was destroyed during the siege.
Its balance and the watershed of the village gave a good reason to Nostradamus to describe Ménerbes "vessel in the ocean of vineyards".
Governors were named by Popes until the Revolution and the annexation of Comtat Venaissin by France in 1793.
The Citadel is a private house and you can't visit it.
Musées
Within the vineyard of 40 hectares of Domaine de la Citadelle - More than 1000 corkscrews are exposed
Model corkscrew 17th to today - Several pieces - Open to the public since 1993
Open from 10am to 12pm / 15h-18h30. In summer, every day except Tuesday, in spring and autumn weekend.
For groups, associations and communities, visit all year round by appointment
Fax : 04 90 72 41 59
Web site of cork screw museum >>
A voir
Little visible from the D3, but real vestige of a period : 2000 before J-C.
It was discovered in the 19th century and identified in 1850 by the abbot André.
It is the only existing dolmen in Vaucluse.
Events
- 05/13/2010 : "Schubert, Haydn, inspiration hongroise"
- 05/23/2010 : "Les Nuits romantiques de Chopin et Musset"
Useful addresses
- City hall, Place de l´Horloge, 84560 Ménerbes
Tel. 04 90 72 22 05
- Post office, Avenue Marcellin Poncet, 84560 Menerbes
Tel : 04 90 72 21 80
Site map
Access
Coming from Coustellet by D900, in Les Beaumettes take D103 leading to Menerbes.
Coming from Apt by D900 turn on the left in Goult on D106 then turn on the right on D218 to Menerbes.
Coming from Cavaillon by D2, after Robion take D3 to Menerbes.
Distance from towns
Les Beaumettes > 4 km, Oppède le Vieux > 5 km, Lacoste > 6.5 km, Goult > 7.5 km, Maubec > 7.5 km, Coustellet > 8.5 km, Cabrieres d'Avignon > 10 km, Gordes > 11 km, Robion > 13 km, Bonnieux > 15 km, Sénanque's Abbey > 15 km, Joucas > 15 km, Les Taillades > 15 km, Roussillon in Provence > 16 km, Fontaine de Vaucluse > 18 km, Isle sur la Sorgue > 19 km, Cavaillon > 19 km, Apt en Provence > 21 km, Saignon > 25 km, Venasque > 25 km, Lioux > 27 km, Lourmarin > 28 km, Rustrel > 31 km, Colorado Provencal > 32 km, Caseneuve > 31 km, Avignon Airport > 31 km, Cucuron > 34 km, Ansouis > 37 km, Avignon TGV Train Station > 37 km, Saint Remy de Provence > 38 km, Cereste > 39 km, Avignon > 39 km, La Roque d'Anthéron > 42 km, Silvacane's Abbey > 42 km, Viens > 43 km, Simiane la Rotonde > 44 km, Oppedette > 47 km, Les Baux de Provence > 48 km, La Tour d'Aigues > 50 km, Banon > 53 km, Sault > 55 km, Mane > 59 km, Manosque > 61 km, Forcalquier > 62 km, Orange > 62 km, Pont du Gard > 65 km, Vaison la Romaine > 67 km, Marseille Provence Airport > 73 km, Aix en Provence > 78 km, Nimes > 87 km, Arles 88 km, Marseille > 93 km, Saint Tropez > 210 km, Cannes > 222 km, Nice > 257 km, Bandol > 141 km, Sanary sur mer > 144 km, Cassis > 121 km
Provence Weather
- Sat. 20
17° - Sun. 21
16° - Mon. 22
18° - Tue. 23
17°
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