The village of Saumane-de-Vaucluse, built atop a rocky outcrop, overlooks the Sorgues river valley. Saumane-de-Vaucluse is a charming village, both picturesque and authentic, with a Romanesque church, cobbled winding streets and drystone architecture. Its name comes from the Latin, and was written different ways in the 11th century and could mean - « Somanna » – peak (som) or « Saumanna » – jenny (sauma).
Man settled in the rock shelters in the Chinchon valley in the late prehistoric period, and the Romans later occupied the area, as seen in vestiges found scattered around the area. During the feudal era, the seigniory went from the Counts of Toulouse to the Papacy and fell into the hands of the de Sade family, who kept it for over 400 years.
Beaudet de Sade, who pledged his allegiance to Pope Nicolas V in 1451, rebuilt the old 12th century castrum, giving the fortress the ambitious proportions it has today. The impressive dimensions of the current building , rebuilt several times and transformed over time to reflect changing tastes, continue to amaze. Protected by trenches dug into the rock and by machicolations over the entrance, the building impresses visitors as they discover the great courtyard, the immense vaulted halls, the stairway, pillars, fireplaces and underground passageways dug into the rock. The ghost of the ?divine? Marquis de Sade continues to haunt the château de Saumane, which now belongs to the community of municipalities. Studies are underway to consider its future use for tourism and cultural purposes.
Maison de Tourisme Chemin de la Fontaine 84800 Fontaine de Vaucluse
Tél. : 04 90 20 32 22 Open all year from Monday to Saturday 9h30 –12h30 and 13h30 – 17h30
