Mérindol

Discover the charming village of Mérindol overlooking the Durance

Mérindol is a pretty village located in the Luberon on the southern border of Vaucluse and Bouches-du-Rhône.

From its height of 200 meters, the village overlooks the vast plain of the Durance River and the rolling hills that border its southern edge. The narrow streets of the old village, the Church of Sainte-Anne, and the ruins of the castle tell a story steeped in history.

A history marked by the massacre of the Waldensians in the 16th century

Mérindol remains today the village that symbolizes the repression of the Waldensians. Completely destroyed in 1545, the villagers miraculously escaped the massacre by taking refuge in the mountains.

Over the centuries, the hilltop village, known as “the town,” was gradually abandoned in favor of a place called “Les Bastides,” below, where the town is located today. All that remains of the old castrum are two sections of wall, poor witnesses watching over the Waldensian memorial.

A charming village

As you approach, you will see a few recent villas on the outskirts of the village. From a distance, you will see the bell tower of the Romanesque church. The village center is quite small, so you can't miss the large café terrace facing a small, pleasantly shaded square.

Many buildings in the village bear witness to centuries past. It is not uncommon to find 17th- and 18th-century chronograms on the facades and beautiful bastides.

The Church of Sainte Anne

As you wander through the narrow streets and crossroads, you will discover the 18th-century Church of Sainte Anne, which has a “Saracen bulb” bell tower that is unique in the region, earning it a place on the supplementary list of historic monuments.

A prosperous agricultural plain

The plain has long been the economic heart of Mérindol. Watered by the Durance River, it produces an abundance of white and red fruits, famous melons, and vegetables throughout the four seasons, which can be found at the famous markets in Cavaillon.

Hiking in the scrubland

We recommend the “Entre garrigue et Durance” trail, which starts from the Garrigue car park (see our map). You begin by winding your way through the scrubland with its divine scents of thyme and rosemary before arriving at a cliff overlooking the Durance with a superb view of the river.

Numerous informative signs explain the exceptional natural environment of the garrigue and the importance of the Durance River in the region.