The best walks and hikes around Saint-Marcellin-Lès-Vaison

Beautiful and varied city. From Roman settlement, through the medieval upper town to the modern city with beautiful squares and restaurants, everything is included.

Medieval alleys and nooks, best discovered in the early morning hours.

The second large excavation site of Vaison — from above you can see the street grid of the ancient city, individual columns still stand upright. La Villasse was formerly called simply "the ruined city", the name says it all. A quiet counterpoint to the more touristy Puymin area.

This incredibly beautiful medieval city is certainly flooded with tourists during the day. My tip is therefore to set off very early. Before 8 am, the city is almost entirely yours.

Very nice city with good addresses!

The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption was built in the 15th century. Nestled on its 40-meter-high rocky promontory, this confrontation with the void is the result of gradual expansions that pushed the elevations to the tip of the rocky spur. The walls impressively cling to the limestone strata of the vertical drop. After the Revolution, the church gradually fell into disrepair until its poor condition led to its closure in 1992. Listed as a historic monument in 1994, it only reopened its doors in 2013 under the leadership of the Association of Friends of the Church of the Medieval City. The cathedral has become a cultural venue where contemporary art exhibitions and concerts are held annually thanks to its exceptional acoustics. The renovation of the façade, as well as the inauguration of Father Kim en Joong's stained-glass windows—major works of contemporary art financed by Swiss patron Léonard Gianadda in the fall of 2019—have restored some of the cathedral's former glory. But another challenge now threatens the entire building. The rock on which this masterpiece is founded is weakened; to ensure the cathedral's safety, strengthening it is an essential prerequisite for the other three phases of work. The roof also requires special attention, and waterproofing work is necessary to prevent the accelerated deterioration of its interior decoration. It is therefore urgent to begin work to ensure the cathedral, an integral part of Vaisseau's identity, is safe. The restoration of the cathedral is guided by its key heritage value, but with its 40,000 visitors each summer, it is also a major economic and tourism issue for the region. The work will allow the cultural activities and visits that have been taking place in this religious building since 2013 to continue.

In Vaison-la-Romaine, "France's Most Beautiful Detour," discover a veritable open-air museum, featuring the largest Gallo-Roman site in France. The remains of some fifteen hectares, eight of which are open to the public and divided into two sites, Puymin and La Villasse, stretch at the foot of the medieval city, bearing witness to the past grandeur of the ancient city of Vasio. The walk around Puymin Hill takes you through a true district of the ancient city with cobbled streets, the shopping district, the "Nymphée" water tower made up of landscaped pools, the "Sanctuary of Porticoes" public monument framing a large colonnaded garden and rich patrician residences: the 2000 m² House of Apollo Laureate, perhaps the home of the Messii, Vasio's great family, with a dining room (triclinium), kitchen, private baths, toilets (latrines), and a large porticoed garden decorated with a pool and the 3000 m² House of the Arbor which was spread over 3 levels... For children: by following in the footsteps of young Lucius through a great mystery hunt, you and your family will discover the treasures of the Puymin archaeological site and the Théo Desplans Museum in Vaison-la-Romaine. Free activity booklet (available at the Museum) for children ages 6 to 12 who come to visit the sites with their families. Guided Tours: During school holidays, join a guided tour guide for 90-minute tours of the city's sites and monuments. Reservations: Call +33 4 90 36 50 48.

On the Roman Bridge, as your footsteps echo against the ancient stones, look up and be captivated by the majestic silhouette of the medieval city of Vaison-la-Romaine. You enter a world where the past comes to life before your eyes. The narrow cobbled streets and stone houses, seemingly frozen in time, instantly transport you to the 12th century, a time when the city was the scene of conflicts between the Count of Toulouse and the bishop. The ensuing looting prompted the population to abandon the valley in favor of the rocky heights. The fortified architecture of the old town bears witness to this turbulent era, with its imposing ramparts and fortified gates. Over the centuries, new buildings emerged in the valley, extending the history of the old town all the way to the Roman Bridge. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that the inhabitants of Vaison-la-Romaine turned to the lower town, gradually abandoning the old town. The medieval city, also called the Upper Town, is accessible after walking along the ramparts and the Belfry. The latter offers a picturesque panorama overlooking the city, dominated by the count's castle. In the past, access to this city was protected by emblematic gates such as the Old Gate, also known as the St. Quenin Gate, and the New Gate. These gates, true guardians of the city's security, closed every evening from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., thus testifying to the importance placed on protecting residents from external threats. From the Old Market Square, where the Upper Town once flourished economically, admire the still-present remains of the wall that surrounded the Jewish quarter. The panoramic views of the valley and Mont Ventoux from the “Planet” add a touch of poetry to the medieval atmosphere of the cobbled streets, lined with old mansions and Comtat fountains.