Cadenet

The troglodyte caves, remnants of the Château

The ruins of the Château de Cadenet stand on the site that the Caudellenses tribe (Cavares) chose for their oppidum (fortified hilltop settlement) of Caudellium. That is to say, three cliffs with a natural ditch to the north. The whole area was reinforced with ramparts and protected by a guard post located on the Gardis (hill overlooking the site). As a result, the oppidum was accessible only through a single gate to the north.

The Château de Cadenet was dismantled in the 17th century by order of Louis XIV, then burned down by the revolutionaries in 1792. It was never restored; on the contrary, it was dismantled stone by stone throughout the 19th century. Without the engravings from that era, it would be hard to imagine that up there once stood a complex of towers, buildings, and crenelated walls.

What remains today of the Château’s ruins:

1. he foundations: rooms carved into the rock (networks of cellars, galleries and staircases)
2. The small belfry: built at the end of the 19th century on the ruins of the previous one
3. A large terrace: on the same level as the belfry
4. The remains of the Château: divided into three sections separated by moats carved into the rock
5. A square turret base and a circular well
6. Troglodyte dwellings
7. The magnificent panorama over the Durance river valley

Sights and Heritage

Place du Tambour d’Arcole

This charming square in the village of Cadenet is much loved by the local community! Here you will find the Maison du Citoyen, along with bars and the restaurant ‘Le Dix Vin’. At the centre, since 1894, stands the statue of André Estienne, better known as the ‘Petit Tambour d’Arcole’. This square was originally named ‘Place du marché aux bestiaux’, or livestock market square, as it lay outside the town walls and, in the 16th and 17th centuries, was the site of trade in both small and large livestock. Even today, it lies at the heart of the weekly market held on Monday mornings throughout the year.

The fountains

Until the end of the 17th century, there were no fountains within the ramparts of the village of Cadenet. Water was drawn from wells and tanks. Only the well water was safe to drink, and the tanks were used to collect and store water. Following the abolition of feudal rights, all the castle’s water was redirected to the town to supply five new fountains built in 1806 under the 1^st Empire. Even today, water is of great importance to the villagers. The fountains are supplied by ‘public utility’ water at present.

What to do in Cadenet

The Heritage Trail

Since 2022, the commune of Cadenet has been developing a Heritage Trail in the town centre to showcase its architectural heritage and introduce visitors to the local cultural identity. Today, 21 panels have been installed in front of the village’s main Historic Monuments.

To view the Heritage Trail map, click here

The route is accompanied by an interactive 3D map, available online, with real-time geolocation to make your walking tour easier. Discover it now.

The Val de Durance campsite

Just outside the centre of Cadenet, you will find a 4-hectare lake! This is the Cadenet campsite, welcoming you to a unique, leafy setting with a landscaped beach (with lifeguards during the high season). It is open to non-campers in July and August, subject to an entrance fee. Fishing is permitted, with a licence.Just outside the centre of Cadenet, you will find a 4-hectare lake! This is the Cadenet campsite, welcoming you to a unique, leafy setting with a landscaped beach (with lifeguards during the high season). It is open to non-campers in July and August, subject to an entrance fee. Fishing is permitted, with a licence.

La Bastide du Laval

We highly recommend stopping at the Bastide du Laval, where you can combine a stroll through the olive groves, a visit to a mill, and a tasting of one of France’s finest, award-winning olive oils. This pure product of the Luberon has even made its way to the Elysée – a presidential olive oil!

Art and craftsmanship

Art lovers? Be sure to visit the Galerie Contrastes. Here, you will discover a selection of period ceramics as well as more contemporary collections, temporary exhibitions, and a delightful range of tableware.

Market day and local flavours 

Don’t miss the markets in the village of Cadenet! On Monday mornings in the town centre, on Place du Tambour d’Arcole, and from mid-April to early November, on Saturday mornings at the boulodrome (petanque area) in front of the church. A producers’ shop in Cadenet, ‘La Bardane Luberon, Coopération Paysanne’, also offers a selection of vegetables, fruit, bread, eggs, meat, and other Provençal delights!

When it comes to flavours, one of the village’s must-visit spots, located between Cadenet and Lourmarin, is the lively venue ‘La Fenière’. Culinary experiences, mindful retreats, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. This is the world’s first Michelin-starred gluten-free restaurant! Nadia Sammut has been working since 2013 towards a world with better taste, creating a nourishing, locally rooted agricultural present in her native Provence.

Other restaurants in the town centre are also well worth a visit, such as Les L du moulin or Dix’Vin, with ‘Maître Restaurateur’ recognition since 2020. Cadenet is brimming with delightful places for food lovers.

Top 6 things to do in Cadenet

1. Stroll through the town centre from fountain to fountain
2. Hike around the château ruins and its troglodyte remains
3. Visit Cadenet’s art galleries
4. Pick up the “Fun Family Walk in Cadenet” booklet at our Cucuron or La Tour-d’Aigues visitor centres
5. Taste exceptional olive oils at Bastide du Laval
6. Enjoy a convivial evening at La Fenière