Provencal village in Vaucluse, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, Richerenches takes place in the Enclave des Papes, Vaucluse in the department of Drôme. It is located not far from Grignan and Visan, seventy kilometers from Avignon.
Today nicknamed the capital of the truffle, the town of Richerenches has been populated since prehistoric times. It developed mainly in the Middle Ages, especially with the founding of the Templar Commandery in the 12th century. Renowned then for the quality of its horses, it has remained an important agricultural village today. The cultivation of vines, lavender and the exchange of truffles are the main economic activities.
Very touristy, the town of Richerenches has all the hotel comforts, and in particular offers a rich architectural heritage inherited from the time of the Templars.
Lovers of old stones will appreciate strolling through the heart of this authentic and charming village. At the bend of a lane and between two old houses tastefully restored, it is possible to admire the former 12th century Templar Commandery. The oldest in Provence, it is now listed as a Historic Monument. Mainly turned then on the cultivation of wheat and vines, as well as on the breeding of sheep and horses, it was offered to the Hospitallers of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem at the beginning of the 14th century following the dissolution of the order of the Temple. From the Templar period, there remains the Templar barn with a nave more than thirty meters high and surrounded by buttresses connected at the top by arches, as well as the lower part of the apse of the church. The majestic vaulted room hosts exhibitions of paintings and sculptures.
A marked route with 6 panels, starting from the belfry, allows you to find the key stages of this period.
18th century building listed as a Historic Monument, the Maison des Notaires adjoins the Commanderie. It hosts the Truffle and Wine Museum, with its interactive and dynamic presentation.
The belfry, from the beginning of the 16th century, is located on the first and only entrance door to the commandery during the time of the Templars. It is also possible to discover several papal monuments from the 14th century in the village. In stone, it was used at the time to delimit the border between the Dauphiné and the Enclave des Papes.
The village church was built at the beginning of the 16th century on the remains of a Templar church destroyed at the same time as the Order; the facade and the bell tower were restored in 2020 by a team of passionate stonemasons.
While strolling, you can also admire the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Rencontre from the 17th century, and that of Saint-Alban, or the well from the Templar period, or the remains of the ramparts.
