East of Gordes: Goult Vineyard, Saignon and Montfuron
Today we set out to visit a couple of tiny but picturesque villages that are off of the beaten tourist track: Saignon (population about 1100) and Montfuron (population about 200).
On our way to Saignon we spotted this vineyard near Goult.
Saignon
Use the slider to pan across this panoramic view of Saignon. Inhabited since paleolithic times, Saignon lies beneath a rock promontory, the Rocher de Saignon (at left, above), which is believed to have served both as an observatory and as a signal station at various times. Just to the right of the rock is the Chapel of Saint Michel, and at the far right (when scrolled) is Notre-Dame de Pitie.
Notre-Dame de Pitie, a 12th century Romanesque church (also known as Saint Mary of Saignon), has an unusual pyramid-shaped spire. It was a stopping point on routes used by religious pilgrims since the Middle Ages. Behind the church is a cemetery (below).
Looking down at the village from the Rocher de Saignon.
On the road again -- Highway N100 (seen just east of Cereste).
Montfuron
Montfuron seems to have favored round stone structures -- a tower and a windmill are shown here.