Beaumes-de-Venise

Beaumes-de-Venise is in the perfect spot for all that is Provence. That is to say wine, olives, Mediterranean fruit and vegetables, natural exploration on foot and bike, and more wine!

Its name derives from Baumo -meaning caves in Provençal, and Venise -from Venaissan. The village is in the Venaissan County nestled into the Courrens hill at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail and Mont Ventoux. Many prehistoric cave dwellings have been found here which were later used as millstone quarries for grinding olives into oil and wheat into flour.

A beautiful setting

Winding streets lined with flowers and ancient houses, the jagged rocks of the Dentelles soaring up into the pure blue sky and surrounded by orchards, cypress trees and classified-only vineyards.

I can’t get enough of the Beaumes-de-Venise Muscat! It’s a sweet fortified wine which is perfect with a couple of cubes of ice and a bowls of green olives for the aperitif. Then again, sharing the same climate and area as Châteauneuf-du-pape and Gigondas, the Côte du Rhône reds are just as worthy! With a designated driver, afternoons can be spent popping into the many wine cellars for a dégustation.

But shall we start with the village and surroundings before we get too tipsy?

Visit the 16^th century church and tower, in true Provençal style, with its wrought iron belfry allowing the Mistral wind to blow through. Close by, you will walk through an archway to find the 18^th century fountain and its mascarons.

Beaumes-de-Venise centre

Pretty streets lead you past restored doorways and up to the highest point of the village; the 12^th century feudal castle and its remarkable Romanesque art.

Dentelles de Montmirail

Beaumes-de-Venise is the ideal starting or finishing point for hikes through the Dentelles, cycle routes through some of ‘the most beautiful villages in France’, adventure on Mont Ventoux and wine growing, producing and tasting…ah ha! We made it back!

This is one of my favourite slices of Provence. A holiday here will not disappoint!

There are many stunning villas to be rented in Beaumes-de-Venise and the surrounding area. Pick from the foot of the Mont Ventoux or in the midst of the vineyards of Gigondas or venture a little further out to the Luberon and the Alpilles. The renowned villages of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux de Provence, Gordes and Lacoste offer equally stunning homes, history and scenery.

Bergerie Saint-Véron, Beaumes-de-Venise, Ventoux

Clos Paradou, Les Baux de Provence, Alpilles

Beaumes-de-Venise Checklist:

16^th century church and tower
Notre Dame d’Aubune Chapel
Wine cellars on Avenue Raspail
La Balmeene olive oil mill with herb and olive oil flavoured goodies
Tuesday morning Provençal market. (Vaison-La-Romaine has a hugely flamboyant market, also on Tuesdays)
Cycle along the ‘most beautiful routes in France’
Lac du Paty (Lake and an open air dance every Sunday)
Ventoux Aventure-assault course and zip lining through the trees
Go hiking and rock climbing in the Dentelles de Montmirail
Drive, cycle or hike the Mont Ventoux
Visit Vaison la Romaine and the surrounding picturesque villages
Visit the Rhonéa Muscat wine cave
Taste the famous wine of Gigondas in the Paillère et Pied Gû cave. (Ask for Mathieu)
Eat out in the Michelin Star restaurant L‘Oustalet -pricey with even pricier wine!

Nearest Villages

Aubignan	6 mins	Map
Vacqueyras Excellent wine	8 mins	Map
Gigondas Excellent wine, Access to Dentelles de Montmirail hikes	12 mins	Map
Caromb	12 mins	Map
Carpentras Truffle market, supermarkets	15 mins	Map
Séguret Officially one of the most beautiful villages of France	20 mins	Map