A Magical Visit to Séguret
Listed as one of the “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France,” Séguret is the perfect stop for anyone wanting to tour a traditional Provençal village.
This is a part of a 5 town series. Check back each week for a new village to discover!
I remember the first time we spotted Séguret. We were driving in from Avignon on our way to a house tour in Vaison. We circled the roundabout and shot past the exit for Sable, immediately opening up to a sizable town perched up on the hillside, embedded in the rock face. We both looked down at the GPS.
“It says we are 10 minutes away. Do you think THAT could be it?” I asked Andy, envisioning myself already living in the medieval village. Our hopes were quickly dashed as we drove past a sign indicating that the village of “Séguret” was a right-hand turn, not Vaison-la-Romaine.
In the end, if you have followed my adventure so far, you know that we did end up falling head-over-heels not only for our little village house, but for Vaison as well. And, if you’ve followed my adventure and past blog posts, you already know that how we planned this adventure took a swift turn after our first summer here, when Andy’s medical issues left us in travel limbo.
Wanting to make the best of our, at times, difficult situation, we have decided to spend this summer exploring our own backyard, focusing on the small villages that are less known to tourists.
When we first started out wanting to get familiar with Provence, we did what most people do, and turned to Google. It seemed as though, however, every single list we found had a similar variation of the same handful of towns, each and every one more touristy than the next.
Don’t get me wrong, these towns make these lists for a reason. They are the quintessential “Provençal” town, allowing tourists to feel as though they have stepped through time with each winding cobble stoned street they meander down.
A Little Background
The tiny village of Séguret gets its name from the Latin word "securitas" as the homes were all secured behind the town’s ramparts, insuring the inhabitant’s protection from the outside world and any dangers. Visitors will be instantly charmed by the 10th century village, offering its sweeping views of the Rhône Valley and its vineyards while resting comfortably at the bottom of the equally as breathtaking Les Dentelles de Montmirail massif.
Santons are small figurines used to create a nativity set. The word "santon" derives from the Provençal "santoun," meaning "little saint."
Notable Sites to Visit in Séguret
Rue des Poternes- This street is home to a lot of the town’s attractions, including a handful of ateliers showcasing beautiful pieces of art, jewelry and even a santons shop. The street is also home to the old town hall, the beautiful belfry from the 14th century and the Masquerons fountain from the 17th century. For how small the town is, we were really surprised at just how many little art galleries are tucked throughout the windy little streets. If you love art, you could spend all afternoon just perusing!
The Bise Portal
Bise Portal - The old home of the village governor, this ancient gate has been left untouched since the 14th century when guards would be posted there, keeping a look out to ensure the safety of the residents within. Ruins of the feudal castle dominating the village.
St. Thecle Chapel- While this chapel is not used anymore for worship, visitors can stop by to see art exhibits hosted there between April and October and check out the beautiful Santons and Christmas displays set up in December.
Saint-Denis Church - First constructed in the 10th century, visitors will be enchanted by the paintings from the 18th century, including one of Saint Denis himself. The church has had some modifications, including a change of size and orientation in the 13th century and other additions throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.
Château Ruins- While there isn’t much left of the chateau at the top of Séguret, it is definitely worth a walk to see such an incredible piece of history. The castle was modified and given extra protection by the Counts of Toulouse in the 11th century during the Wars of Religion, allowing its occupier sweeping views of the Dentelles de Montmirail and Rhône Valley below.
Magret de canard -Le Mesclun
Where to Eat
There are a few restaurants and eateries within the cobbled streets of Séguret, each providing a different experience.
Le Mesclun- The food at Le Mesclun is an absolute piece of art. Every time our server brought the next course to the table, we almost felt bad disturbing the presentation…. almost. While this is the most expensive restaurant in town, it is worth every penny and the view that accompanies your meal is priceless. The chef is also known to give cooking classes between May, June, September and October for the lucky foodies who want to try their hand recreating some of the chef’s iconic dishes.
Le Côté Terrasse - This restaurant is located right next to Le Mesclun and has the same stunning view of the Rhône valley below, only adding to the dining experience. This menu is a bit more budget friendly and offers more options to choose from. While we haven’t personally dined here yet, we are planning on returning and trying it out on our next visit.
Salon de Thé Eglantine- This sweet little tea shop offers fresh baked pies, cakes, and artisanal ice creams to accompany your coffee, tea or beer and wine. Since we were there in the morning, we missed their opening, which is 2:30-6:30 every day. If a small refreshment is what you are looking for, you can find this quaint eatery on the bustling Rue des Poternes.
Rose Melba- Another sweets shop, this one serves exclusively artisanal ice cream and is also located on the Rue des Poternes. Grab a cone and find a seat by the towns ancient fountain or explore the windy streets while enjoying your treat.
Experience in Séguret
Because the region is so immersed in wine, it is no surprise that the wine enthusiast will have plenty of activities to partake in around the village.
Domaine de Mourchon is a fantastic winery located just on the outskirts of Séguret. This was not only offers tours of the winery with tastings, it is also home to cooking classes hosted by chef Suzanne Kay of Plate Full of Dreams.
Domaine de Crève Cœur is a winery offering visits and tastings by appointment. Come try a glass of wine while admiring their beautiful labels, all created by artist Josef Höchest, a resident of Séguret since the 70’s.
So Fresh is one of our favorite events that happens each summer in July. For under 10 euros, visitors can visit Séguret and all of its surrounding winemakers. Each winemaker has red, white and rosé from that year’s production for tasters to sample. There is usually around 20 booths and these little wine fêtes allow us to get more familiar with the wine makers in our region and expand our palates. There is usually a few different local food trucks and music, making the event a must for any wine enthusiast.
So Fresh 2022
A Few Tips Before You Go
A Warning for Bikers: While we did see a lot of bikers on the outskirts of the town, bikers are asked to dismount and not ride through the narrow streets of the village.
Parking: There are multiple parking lots for this village, including:
-Place Jean Moulin -Chem. Sous Barry, 84110 Seguret
-Place des Arceaux -5063F Chem. Sous Barry, 84110 Seguret
-Parking Des Ecoles
Hiking: There is a hiking trail that can be found at: 371 Chem. Sous Barry, 84110 Seguret
Bonne Exploration!
-Rachel
