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Situation
Saignon covers an area of 1960 hectares. It is bounded to the north by the Calavon and to the south by the Claparèdes plateau, while a small mountain stream, the Rimayon, passes through.
The village is 4 km from Apt and dominates the valley, over which it seems to keep guard. It stands on a rocky spur around three structures: a castle chapel which blends in with the rock and is the identification symbol of the village, the clock tower and the church.
The history of the occupation of the Saignon territory begins in the Middle Palaeolithic (200,000 to 35,000 years ago). The rock at Saignon, situated on a promontory at a height of some thirty metres, was used in ancient times as an observatory and must also have served as a signal station. The most likely etymological origin of “Saignon” is the word Sagnio, from signum.
The Romanesque church of Notre Dame, also known as Saint Mary of Saignon, lies outside the walls and is remarkable in terms of its proportions. As early as the Middle Ages the church was a destination for pilgrims from the whole of Provence, but also for those travelling to Rome along the Domitian Way and for Italian pilgrims going to Santiago de Compostela. The church still attracts many visitors.
Activities
The village has craft industries, small in number but very diverse. The large CAT situated in the valley offers numerous services, including goats’ cheese, craft products and garden maintenance. Agriculture has left its mark on the landscape, with vines, cherry trees, cereals, lavender fields, closely-guarded truffle oaks, etc.
Honey is available in many flavours and the goats’ cheeses are highly regarded. A large ecological garden has been producing hundreds of rare plants for 20 years. In the village you will find a general food shop and a tea room, both of which sell bread. Other shops offer souvenirs and regional products, clothes and antiques. Services include hotels and restaurants, function room hire (village hall or private facilities at St. Eusèbe abbey) and a post office.
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Exploring the village
The visit begins with the entry to the village, which offers a variety of views: the impression of “climbing up to the castle” when you arrive from Apt by a tortuous road, a splendid view over the village, the valley, the Monts de Vaucluse and Mont Ventoux when you arrive by the road from Auribeau, or by the plateau of Claparèdes coming from Bonnieux and Lourmarin.
You visit the village on foot. The Romanesque church is not permanently open, but the grill gives a good view of the interior. Go down the main street of the village and pause to admire the square with its fountain (it has a base and a bowl surmounted by two allegorical statues, representing agriculture and abundance through industry, the work of the Apt sculptor Joseph Noël Elzéar Sollier, a pupil of David d'Angers). Some thirty metres further down the road you can admire the Clock Tower, built in 1584. Cross the recently-restored cobbles to the Old Mill Square (ancient oil mill) and the remains of the ramparts.
The way to the rock is well indicated (keep going up the path), but take care when on the steps. There is a viewpoint and map at the top. There are also many other visits to make, on foot, on a road bike or a mountain bike, particularly towards the plateau of Claparèdes and the Luberon massif.
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