Grambois

An authentic hilltop village

Nestled in the heart of South Luberon, the village of Grambois is ideally located just a stone’s throw from La Tour d’Aigues, Mirabeau, Beaumont-de-Pertuis, La Bastide des Jourdans and Saint Martin de la Brasque.

On your way to Grambois, be sure to admire the Durance River as you cross the Pont de Mirabeau or the Pertuis bridge. The locals, always smiling and welcoming, are known as Gramboisiens.

To explore the village, we recommend taking the ‘Le petit tour du village’ trail to admire this authentic hilltop village set in the heart of nature.

Sights and Heritage

The Rampart and La Tourrache

To the south of the rampart stands a building known as the Fort. The rampart is reinforced at the rear by two adjoining buildings. It remains visible for about ten metres. Dating from 1377, the rampart forms the eastern side of the second wall of the old village of Grambois. It overlooks the village square that bears its name.

Behind the monumental cross dating from 1753 stands a tall rectangular tower, La Tourrache. During the Wars of Religion in the 16th century, numerous modifications were made to the ramparts of Grambois. Nevertheless, all these precautions did not prevent the Savoyard army from seizing and sacking Grambois in December 1590, the most dramatic episode in its history. This tower was used as the consuls’ house in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Perron Cavalier

This staircase is one of the curiosities of Grambois. This type of structure is extremely rare in our region. It is undoubtedly one of the last remaining in Provence. Originally, it consisted of two parallel ascents; today, only one part remains.

Notre-Dame de Beauvoir Church

On the square in front of the town hall, the church of Grambois stands to the north-west of the presbytery and the former château. A jewel of the village, listed in the Heritage Inventory and listed as a Historic Monument since 1908, this Romanesque church was, at its foundation in the 11th century, a Benedictine priory dependent on the abbey of Saint-André de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Inside, the capitals of the small columns are rare remnants of Romanesque sculpture from the 11th century or the very beginning of the 12th century in Provence, adding further interest to the building. The church also houses various artefacts, such as the polyptych (a set of painted panels) of Saint Jean-Baptiste, dated 1519 and listed as a historic monument. This work is thought to be by André Tavel.

The Château

The château, or rather the former manor house, dates back to the 16th century. In 1879, the residence was divided into two parts: one is inhabited (private property) and the other serves as the presbytery. The château welcomed distinguished guests, such as Madame de Sévigné and Mirabeau, who took great delight in riding his horse into the ground floor lounge through the window.

Panoramic View and Mulberry Trees

Before you stands the Grand Luberon massif, which rises to 1,125 metres at Mourre Nègre. From this viewpoint overlooking the Pays d’Aigues region, you can clearly see the strategic position of the village of Grambois, designated a fortress of Provence in the 14th century. Three mulberry trees were planted in 1722, and their leaves were sold for the benefit of the Grambois hospital. These leaves, when used as a herbal tea, were renowned for their therapeutic properties, particularly for treating diabetes. The trunk of the mulberry tree was also highly valued near washhouses, as its rot-resistant wood made it ideal for hanging out laundry. In 1908, the washhouse was built at the foot of the rocky outcrop. Before then, residents had to go to the Fontsausse and Fontvérane springs, which were further from the village, to wash their laundry.

The 400-year-old oak tree

Several centuries old, it is the sole survivor of an avenue that once led to the Chemin du Gaou, below the Parc de Fontvérane. A small path, refurbished in 2012, leads down to the Fontvérane spring, which was a vital spot for the Gramboisiens of days gone by, who faced the challenge of water supply. The Fontvérane fountain, for which initial assessments raised concerns about the strength of its vault, has recently been cleared of all trees. Renovation work has been carried out, and the result is now very close to how the fountain looked at the time of its construction.

What to do in Grambois

Walking and hiking

Don’t miss the fabulous viewpoints from Grambois by putting on sturdy shoes and exploring the village’s winding lanes and those that stretch out into the hills! The Chemin de Valbonette is a trail starting from the village of Grambois, stretching for 3 km and offering around two hours of hiking. This is a setting typical of the films ‘My Father’s Glory’ and ‘My Mother’s Castle’. This route allows you to discover the region’s beautiful landscapes with complete ease. It’s a lovely walk you can enjoy with the family (but not suitable for pushchairs). Along the way, you can also admire the ruins of ‘Valbonette’, the Sainte Victoire massif, as well as stunning views over the Luberon and the Pays d’Aigues region.

The Chemin de Gaou offers a shaded 3 km walk, allowing you to discover the biodiversity of the countryside with beautiful views over the village of Grambois.

Art and Craftsmanship

Like many villages in the Luberon, the village of Grambois boasts a proud tradition of artists and artisan craftspeople. Be sure to visit, in the heart of the village, Loïc Hériter: an exceptional artisanal blacksmith and knife maker! His charming shop, located just next to the Fontaine aux Bartavelles, showcases his knives as well as sculptures, corkscrews, lamps, and other 100% made in Luberon handcrafted gift ideas!

Market day and local flavours

Discover Poivre Rose, where Emma and Fabien have taken over the former family business and transformed it into a haven for food lovers: restaurant, delicatessen and wine cellar. Open all day, you can enjoy delicious dishes or sharing boards here, all served with a warm welcome.

Another must-visit address is the discreet Pâtisserie Gazeau. Right in the owner’s home, just outside the village of Grambois, Gérard Gazeau invites you to discover his specialities: chocolates, macarons and other delights, all crafted in his workshop according to the finest traditions.