Beaumes de Venise AOC Conservatory - France

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• Beaumes de venise

Beaumes de Venise owes its name to a grotto overlooking the village, called “Balmes” in the Provençal language, and Venise coming from “Venaissin”, the name of a famous county belonging to the Popes.

The village coat of arms bears 3 ancient crosses, called “Tau d’Ors”, representing the 3 villages (or Christian Groups) : St. Veran, Beaumes and Aubune , forming the village of Beaumes de Venise : ancient Faithfuls to the religion of the Crucified One.

At the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, well-protected from the Mistral wind, crossed by a stream called “La Salette”, BEAUMES DE VENISE, a former Papal Duchy, Administrative Centre of the canton, Green Tourism Resort, Remarkable Site of Taste is a charming village of the Comtat Venaissin county, highly appreciated in summer as well as in winter due to its climate.

Covering 1,903 hectares, with a population of 2,200 inhabitants, it can reach a population of 4,500 during high season. The village is 8 km from Carpentras, 32 km from Avignon and its TGV train station, 20 km from Vaison la Romaine and 100 km from Marseille and its airport.

Historical Vestiges to Visit, to See

The Chapels

The bell-tower of the Notre Dame d’Aubune Chapel, a jewel of Romance art of the 12th century and its priory, are classified as Historical Monuments.

This monument is a pure delight. You will be subjugated by the general harmony and the brilliant architecture of this building of exceptional beauty without artefacts.

The lovely garden is a haven of peace planted with vegetation typical of the area: olive and cypress trees, vines. It is meticulously fashioned to preserve the enchanting atmosphere of the place.

The name Aubune is said to come from a victorious battle of Charlemagne in Aubune, at dawn (Aube in French) in this very place. He had the chapel constructed to render tribute to the Virgin Mary.

An enormous rock called “Pierre du Diable” or the “Devil’s Rock” hangs over the Chapel. According to legend, there are 3 scratches made by the Devil in effort to destroy the Chapel by pushing the rock, but the Chapel was saved by the Virgin Mary using her staff.

Another particularity, a play on words in the Provençal language “la gleize i y i seize traou amé quinzecents campano”, the church with 16 openings and 15 without bells.

ST ROCH CHAPEL

This chapel was constructed during the Black Plague Epidemic in 1586, sparing Beaumes de Venise. Stones from an ancient church were used for its construction. The Countess of BALDISSERO, maiden name: St. Sauveur, donated the land for its construction where it still stands.

SEBASTIEN CHAPEL

Construction started in the first year of the 17th century but finished after the Black Plague of 1629. A lovely wrought-iron cross ornates the front of the Chapel, fulfilling wishes of the Plagued.

ST ANNE CHAPEL

Built after the Black Plague in 1629 by Pierre MOULIN, it collapsed in 1634. Pierre Moulin was obliged to rebuild it. Several inhabitants were buried under the rocks. In 1691, the Bishop forbade entrance to the chapel until it was repaired 10 years later.

ALSO :

-Ancient Oil Mills dating prior to 1789 as well as Wheat Mills.

-ROCALINAUD ROCK :

Another prehistoric site, the Rocalinaud Rock (Rocca Luna). This “lunar” rock as it is called, is one of the most surprising places in Beaumes de Venise.

The village sits on Molassic yellow sand, easily sculptured by wind erosion, giving birth to “safres”  rock formations. The most impressive being Rocalinaud, with its hooked beak and scattered cavities made by the wind.

It is a sandstone rock with holes all over, the result of men and wind. The east side of the rock has a big cavity dug by men and used as a shelter during prehistoric times to the end of the 16th century. All along, you can see potholes dug into the rock (in particular where the rock flattens out) and traces of rails which were probably used in the past for manoeuvring wagons transporting food.

Leisure activities : Hiking, climbing, mountain biking, municipal swimming pool, mini-golf court, tennis court, pétanque, reception room, municipal library.

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