IDENTITY This village, located at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, is naturally sheltered from the strong Mistral wind. It is one of the charming little villages of the Comtat Venaissin, a well known holiday resort, very busy in summer and appreciated for its mild climate in winter. Beaumes de Venise was once called Beaumes de Venisse. It owes its name to the many caves (les balmes) found on the hillside. With a population of 2070 people, this 1903 hectare village is situated 8km from Carpentras, 32km from Avignon and 20km from both Orange and Vaison la Romaine. The population doubles in summer, with the number of inhabitants reaching 4500. The emblem represents Three Tau d’Ors (antique crosses) and three villages (St. Véran, Beaumes and Aubune). The village of Beaumes de Venise was built on yellow Helvetian sand.

PREHISTORY

On the Oppidum you can visit the Ambrosi prehistoric caves, which were once used as a shelter for the regions first inhabitants. Further West there is a group of houses on the hillside : numerous caves which were probably once inhabited by an aboriginal tribe . On the Northern side, cut into the Roclinaud peak, is an 18km-high cave which can only be accessed by a narrow path. This is a very safe hiding place when in danger.

PATRIMOINE HISTORIQUE

Our Lady of Aubune Chapel This chapel , dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was built in honour of the victory of Charlemagne at dawn against the Sarrasins. The tower of this 12th Century chapel is listed as a historical monument. The initials of the architect, UGO, can still be seen on the front of the chevet. These same initials can be seen on the Saint Anne Chapel in Apt.

We can also visit the remains of the St. Hilary Chapel which was built on the ruins of the feudal Château du Castellas (7th century). Thanks to this castle and its surrounding walls, Beaumes de Venise was one of the most powerful fortified villages in the Middle Ages

SAINT ROCH CHAPEL
This chapel was built in 1586 to celebrate the fact that the plague had not invaded the village of Beaumes de Venise. It was built on a site that was given to the village by the Countess of Baldissero, using stones from the ancient chapel.

CHAPELLE ST SEBASTIEN
The Saint Sebastien chapel was built in the first year of the 17th Century but was not completed until after the plague, 28 years later. The front of the chapel is adorned with a beautiful wrought iron cross, to protect the village from the plague.

SAINT ANNE CHAPEL
Built after the plague of 1629 by Pierre Moulin, this chapel collapsed in 1634. Many locals were buried under the rubble. The reconstruction took 10 years, during which time nobody was allowed to enter the chapel.

OIL AND WHEAT MILLS DATING FROM BEFORE 1789.

GEOGRAPHY

Beaumes de Venise is situated on the Southern slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail. This mountain range owes its name to the grey limestone cliffs, which can be seen on its sharp mountain peaks. Inspite of its modest height, this is a panoramic viewpoint which gives us a magnificent view of the Mont Ventoux, le Rhône and la Durance. The building of the Turkish Chamber and the Sarrazine Tower prove that it was used as a lookout post in the Middle Ages. Today, along with the Pope’s Palace and the Mont Ventoux, it is one of the most frequently visited places in Vaucluse. It is also a meeting point for rock climbers.