Lagnes Provence-Beyond (Beyond the French Riviera) ® Vaucluse (84) Population: 1400 Altitude: 110 m Nearby: [ Cavaillon 12 km | Fontaine-de-Vaucluse 5 | Gordes 12 | l'Isle/Sorgue 10 | Oppède 12 ] Photos: The village across lush green fields (13k) A view from the hilltop beside the village (16k) Below: [ History | Dates | Hiking | Lodging ] Lagnes is a very lovely little village sitting on the edge of a low butte extending south from the edge of the Vauclause hills, about 12 km northeast of Cavillon and just south of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse A slightly higher hill just beside the village provides an outstanding panoramic view of the flat farming lands spread out across the Saorge river valley to the west, and a nice view of the village itself (hilltop view, 16k). The village has a completely different feeling when viewed from across the green fields out past the northern end (photo, 13k). The ancient 14th-century walls and the towers of the 13th-century château give the village a distinctive medieval flavor. The village seems sleepy and empty during midday when the few shops are closed, but 1300 inhabitants are spread out in the surrounding hills, tending to their farms or other businesses. The village has the narrow streets typical of the period, and many lovely old sites, such as a very fine fountain with little statues and a square clock tower with the alarm bell (campanile) at the top. Name First record, 1154: Lagnas History Prehistoric: There are prehistorical habitations at Claparousse. Medieval: the commune was ruled by a collection of Lords from the 13th-16th centuries, and then royal and religious leaders through the 18th century. In 1720, a long stone wall (Mur de la Peste) was built in a futile attempt to stop the Great Plague. Ruins of the wall can be seen about 2 km to the northeast, with the wall running north. Dates Market day: Friday mornings Fête votive: next-to-last Sunday July Foire Provençale de Lagnes - last Sunday July (1999 25 July): a day-long event with "animations", Provençal music, markets and festivities (see Links/Provence: Lagnes-Foire Provencal) Festival de la Sorgue and outdoor theater: 2nd half July Mardi Gras (Feb): "Monster Aïoli" Camping Hiking Maps: IGN "bleue" (1:25,000) 3142 ouest "Cavaillon" Didier Richard (1:50,000) #14 "Luberon" The GR6-97 (Grande Randonnée) passes north-south through the forest just east of Lagnes; a marked trail goes northeast from the village to join the GR6-97. About 6 km the south, the GR6-97 reaches the Luberon, where many excellent trails go through the forest and mountains. Lodging Listing available