Où... Eating ?
Accommodation ?
Shopping ?
Entertainment ?

Saint Saturnin les Apt

Department of Vaucluse
Population: 2 479 inhabitants ( 2005 )

Situated in front of Luberon on the south hillside of the mountains of Vaucluse between 300 and 1000 m of height, in 30 kms in the southeast of Mont-Ventoux, in 60 kms east of the valley of the Rhone,

This privileged situation makes of St Saturnin a village with very popular agricultural lands. The silhouette of the windmill of XVI-th century almost as famous as that of Daudet, gives evidence of this prolific agricultural past (cherries, vineyards, olives, truffles, and naturally lavender).

Exposure on full South and dominant sight which is offered to us down from its rocky spur (450m), explains that in the X-th century a redoubtable oppidum stood there. Today there are only the ruins of the ramparts which will lead you of the village until the chapel and to the donjon of the XI-th century which were recently restored.

Once arrived around the chapel, highlight of saint Saturnin, take advantage of the great landscape which extends over the chain of Luberon and the valley of Calavon.

This chapel was the scene in the XIX-th century of an affair of false miracle. Rosette Tamisier’s affair shook the region there was in the chapel a picture which began crying for some blood in the presence of the girl. This history remains a mystery, lawsuit accused Rosette of madness, Vatican classified affair in false miracles and the picture disappeared …

By coming down again by lanes of Saint Saturnin, you will discover the rich past of the village, the old magnificent houses (Knight Templar’s house of XIII-th century), sculptured halls (the balcony of Atlantes), of numerous fountains and laundries and former finely decorated doors.

Saint Saturnin lès Apt (2156 inhabitants) is constituted with the ancient village and with the numerous hamlets on 7500 hectares of whom 4500 of the forest, what makes a centre of life of it, it is a very alive village all year round. One finds there all typify of shops: tobacconist’s shop, grocer's shop, bakeries, butcher’s shop, and real estate agency. As well as: restaurant, hotel of charm, bed and breakfast, shelters.

Situated near the road of ochre, the Provencal Colorado of Rustrel and the village of Roussillon and Gordes, everything is combined to make of this village the home base of your stay in Luberon, in the heart of Provence. You will find there certainly a rent for your holidays and will be in the point of departure of numerous hikes (walk or bike ride) in Luberon.

Vestiges: Neolithic settlement ( Perréal) - strengthened Village (X-th - XI-th century)

Activities - Leisure activities - Equipments:
Municipal swimming outdoors - Club of tennis - Area for playing boules
120 km of paths marked out about hikes and VTT,
House of Associations (possible rent: shows, banquets, reception, congress)

Books

Two books and numerous press articles were published in the review ARCHIPAL (Association of history and archaeology of the Countries of Apt and Luberon - B.P 30 - 84401 Apt cedex).

Town hall of Saint Saturnin lès Apt

Phone: 04 90 75 43 12

Fax: 04 90 75 56 10

Routes of hikes in Luberon to Saint Saturnin les Apt

GR.6 - GR.9 Marked out hikes in Luberon (20 routes of discovery of bories and aiguiers) of Saignon.

Spécialités

-The cherry
Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt possesses one of the most important orchards of cherry trees which cover themselves with white flowers in spring.

-The olive oil:
The olive tree symbol of peace, the olives give oil appreciated for centuries for its aromatic virtues and its benefactions for the health.

-The lavender:
More than a symbol of Provence, the lavender (and the hybrid the lavandin), with the blue fields, makes dream us with its scents, discover under all its facets, essential oil, bunch and the honey.

-The wine
Vineyard of Saint Saturnin les Apt extends over 528 hectares, it is situated in the area AOC Côtes du Ventoux.
Côtes du Ventoux have a wide range of vine. Grenache, syrah, carignan to makes red wine. Grenache whites, ugni white, clairette for the white wine.
The grapes filled with sugar, overheated with the sun give wines which bewitch us.

Monuments

L´église de Saint Saturnin

- Church of Saint Saturnin

The church always wears registrations RF, Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood

Les remparts, le donjon et la chapelle de Saint Saturnin

- Donjon - Chapel ( XI-th ) restored.

Porte et balcon à cariatide du 17ème dans le village de Saint Saturnin les Apt.

- Doors, balcony, fountain ( XVIII-th).

l´intérieur du Prieuré Saint pierre d´Agnane, restauré recemment

- St Pierre Agnane’s priory

La Chapelle Sainte Radegonde sur la colline de Péréal

- St Radegonde’s chapel

La chapelle de l´Hôpital jouxte l´actuelle maison de retraite

- The chapel of the Hospital

Moulin à vent du XVII ème restauré

- Windmill of the XVII-th

A voir

La fontaine de Mathéron, au centre du village

- Fountains of Saint Saturnin

Numerous fountains, strew village of Saint Saturnin.

Dating various periods, water sources, fitted out in laundry or kept for the drinking water, reveal the importance of the invaluable liquid in this dry region.

The population of the village always knew how to protect during centuries, the distribution of this wealth, and the sight of a beautiful fountain surprises us always pleasantly in the bend of an alley.

La statue de Joseph Talon sculptée par Pierre Gatine

- Joseph Talon's statue

Joseph Talon is the initiator of the modern culture of truffle.

This modest peasant of saint Saturnin, had idea in 1810 to plant acorns to obtain truffle-producing. So he’s the father of the modern culture of truffle.

Numerous plantations raised since the culture of the black diamond in regional wealth.

The village of Saint Saturnin honoured in 1986 the famous collector of truffles with this statue of the sculptor Pierre Gatine.

Evénements

11/29/2008 : Fête provençale : Sant Savournin festèjo amèl l’oïli nouveù

Useful addresses

- City hall of Saint Saturnin les Apt
9, place de la Mairie
84490 Saint Saturnin les Apt
Phone. 04 90 75 43 12

- Information Tourism
Avenue Jean Geoffroy
84490 Saint Saturnin les Apt
Phone. 04 90 05 85 10

Opened: holidays of Easter and in July / August
from Monday till Saturday from 10 am till 12:30 am and from 4 pm till 6:30 pm
Sunday and holidays from 10 am till 12:30 am

- Police station: 04 90 74 00 17