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LE BEAUCET
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« The
vertical village » (René Char)
This
village with it’s troglodytic houses perched on its rock (baus in
Provence means "steep rock") reminds one of a Provencal
crib scene.
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City in 1160 "Balcium", "Beaucetum" Seigniory
of the bishops of Carpentras, Gualteri from 1690 to 1791.
Ancient pilgrimage to Saint-Gens, a hermit born in Monteux
about 1104 and who died in Beaucet where a miraculous
mountain spring appeared.
The castle can be accessed by 80 steps cut into the rock.
The southern ditch is also cut into the rock.
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The XIth and XIIth century castle was struck by lightning
in 1784. There remains the keep and a dwelling, rebuilt
in the XVIIth century and the two city gates, one of which boasts
the coat of arms of Geoffroy III Vaissols, bishop of Carpentras
(1347-1356).
- To
visit :
Saint Etienne church, old Roman chapel : apse in half dome,
octagonal bell-tower mounted within a modest XIXth bell-tower.
Painting of Saint Etienne by Parrocel. Saint Etienne chapel
rebuilt in the XIXth century.
Saint Gens hermitage, famous pilgrimage site : one reaches
it from Beaucet by a track marked by nine stopping points including
five shrines : 1st - saint statue, 2nd - shrine, 3rd – shrine
with alcove dated circa 1877, 4th – iron cross, 5th – iron cross,
6th – 1877 shrine, 7th – miracle fountain, 8th – Saint’s tomb
sheltered by shrine, 9th – medieval shrine almost entirely built
in the XIXth century.
- To
taste :
Wines A.O.C Côtes-du-Ventoux, cherries, olive oil.
- Practice
:
Mairie
du Beaucet - Place de la Mairie - 84210 LE BEAUCET
Tél.
04 90 66 00 23 - Fax. 04 90 66 17 77
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