Oppède in Luberon

Oppède and its history

The territory of Oppède lies between the plain and the mountains. It is delimited in the north by the ancient Domitian Way, which runs along the river Calavon, and in the south by the Luberon range.

Oppède is special because it is actually two villages, which succeeded each other over the passage of time; up on the hill, the old town, Oppède le Vieux, and in the plain the hamlet of Poulivets. During the 20C, whilst Oppède le Vieux fell into ruin, the new village of Poulivets was built in the centre of the valley. The countryside is dominated by vineyards together with orchards, vegetable and cereal fields. The other economic activities of Oppède are the exploitation of the stone quarries which are renowned the world over as well as the enterprises, crafts and commerce associated with tourism.

There are only rare remains left of the distant past. Some traces of the Roman occupation are visible. Though certain vestiges of the Middle Ages are visible, the main part of Oppède was built in the 16C. The municipality, anxious to preserve its heritage, have restored, the Oratory of St. Joseph and four public wash places.

The collegiate church
On the top of the hill, the main church, Notre Dame d’Alidon (from the Latin Dolidus meaning unhappy), has developed over the centuries. The early church was constructed in the 10C or 11C. Then, in 1546, on the orders of Maynier d’Oppède, it was restored and made into a collegiate church by the Vice Legate of Pope Paul III. Abandoned at the end of the 19C, this church and the whole of old Oppède, are being restored by the municipality, together with the Regional Natural Park of the Luberon. It is rare to find in Provence a 16C edifice like this, which has remained essentially unchanged since this era.

The old village
In the 16C , this old fief of the Avignon popes became a barony. The second Baron Maynier of Oppède was charged with executing the judgement made by the parliament of Aix to suppress the Vaudois heretics. In the 17C, the castle and the top part of the village were abandoned. The area inhabited moved gradually downwards so that, by the 19C, houses were being built in the plain. In 1909, the town hall was transferred to the hamlet of Poulivets. In the 20C, old Oppède fell into ruin and was overrun by vegetation. Its population was reduced to a few families. It was only after the Second World War that certain houses began to be bought and restored.

The castle
The ruins of the castle crown the village. The mediaeval edifice was enriched during the 16th and 17th centuries. Now there remain only its magical ruins, which unveil themselves little by little through the surrounding vegetation.

Renseignements : Office de tourisme intercommunal du Canton de Bonnieux - 7, Place Carnot - 84480 Bonnieux - Tél. 04 90 75 91 90 - otibonnieux@wanadoo.fr

Mairie d'Oppède : 04 90 76 90 06


	Oppède and its history The territory of Oppède lies between the plain and the mountains. It is delimited in the north by the ancient Domitian Way, which runs along the river Calavon, and in the south by the Luberon range. Oppède is special because it is actually two villages, which succeeded each other over the passage of time; up on the hill, the old town, Oppède le Vieux, and in the plain the hamlet of Poulivets. During the 20C, whilst Oppède le Vieux fell into ruin, the new village of Poulivets was built in the centre of the valley. The countryside is dominated by vineyards together with orchards, vegetable and cereal fields. The other economic activities of Oppède are the exploitation of the stone quarries which are renowned the world over as well as the enterprises, crafts and commerce associated with tourism. There are only rare remains left of the distant past. Some traces of the Roman occupation are visible. Though certain vestiges of the Middle Ages are visible, the main part of Oppède was built in the 16C. The municipality, anxious to preserve its heritage, have restored, the Oratory of St. Joseph and four public wash places. The collegiate church On the top of the hill, the main church, Notre Dame d’Alidon (from the Latin Dolidus meaning unhappy), has developed over the centuries. The early church was constructed in the 10C or 11C. Then, in 1546, on the orders of Maynier d’Oppède, it was restored and made into a collegiate church by the Vice Legate of Pope Paul III. Abandoned at the end of the 19C, this church and the whole of old Oppède, are being restored by the municipality, together with the Regional Natural Park of the Luberon. It is rare to find in Provence a 16C edifice like this, which has remained essentially unchanged since this era. The old village In the 16C , this old fief of the Avignon popes became a barony. The second Baron Maynier of Oppède was charged with executing the judgement made by the parliament of Aix to suppress the Vaudois heretics. In the 17C, the castle and the top part of the village were abandoned. The area inhabited moved gradually downwards so that, by the 19C, houses were being built in the plain. In 1909, the town hall was transferred to the hamlet of Poulivets. In the 20C, old Oppède fell into ruin and was overrun by vegetation. Its population was reduced to a few families. It was only after the Second World War that certain houses began to be bought and restored. The castle The ruins of the castle crown the village. The mediaeval edifice was enriched during the 16th and 17th centuries. Now there remain only its magical ruins, which unveil themselves little by little through the surrounding vegetation. Renseignements : Office de tourisme intercommunal du Canton de Bonnieux - 7, Place Carnot - 84480 Bonnieux - Tél. 04 90 75 91 90 - otibonnieux@wanadoo.fr Mairie d'Oppède : 04 90 76 90 06
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