Oppède-le-Vieux, Provence, France
Oppède-le-Vieux is a 12th-century town located in Provence, in the Luberon Massif, about 5 km west of Ménerbes and 13 km south of Gordes. Buildings of the village are erected on a rocky hill, the streets are traditionally narrow. In the winter, the buildings cast long shadows already in early afternoon. Since the houses were dark and damp, in the nineteenth century the residents decided to leave the town and build a new one in the valley. Currently Oppède-le-Vieux is back to life after years of abandonment and loneliness, being a great tourist attraction.
Parking in Oppède-le-Vieux
The paid parking (3€ - as of 2015) is located at a distance from town (1; GPS: 43.831161, 5.159427). It is however quite large and spacious. If you have a little luck, you can leave the car under a shady tree. So we leave the car and go on foot towards the town.
Oppède-le-Vieux
We pass through an area with rich vegetation which also allows to have good views (A; GPS: 43.830168, 5.160956), for example on the Mont Ventoux. We reach the road Rue de Sainte-Cécile (B; GPS: 43.829610, 5.162138), then we go down to the square which is the central point in the town (C; GPS: 43.828340, 5.161113). There is a restaurant and several places to stay. From the square we go to the right and enter the streets leading up the hill (first Rue de l'Hôpital, then Rue des Pénitents).
Notre-Dame-d'Alidon
After about 400 meters we are on a hill, where we can admire the church of Notre-Dame-d'Alidon (D; GPS: 43.827125, 5.161257) of the thirteenth century, rebuilt several times, neglected after residents moved to the valley. However, its reconstruction takes place - it is based on private donations and sponsors.
From the top of the hill you have a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. There are also ruins (tower and walls) of a medieval castle (E; GPS: 43.826909, 5.160880).
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