Holiday homes in Lagarde-Paréol

Lagarde-Paréol is a small village in northern Vaucluse, built on a rocky peak facing the Massif d'Uchaux. All around, woods, garrigue and vineyards take turns. Its name tells of its past: the lordship was shared between many co-lords, or 'pairs'. The place is already recorded in 1137 as 'Guarda'. The feudal mound once carried a fortified castle, destroyed in 1228. Below it stands the parish church of Saint-Antoine, medieval in origin and rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries. Higher up, on the old oppidum, Notre-Dame de Lagarde was built in the 19th century. Thanks to its height, the village has sweeping views over the valley. The old houses are built of local stone and the lanes are cobbled. Walkers follow the GR4, which crosses the commune from east to west, or the GR de Pays trails through the Massif d'Uchaux. In summer, access to the massif is regulated because of the fire risk, so check before you set off. The vineyards around the village produce Côtes-du-Rhône wines.