Brantes

Brantes is a small village in the north of the Vaucluse department, about 10 km from Montbrun-les-Bains. The village is situated above the valley of the Toulourenc and has a view on the legendary Mont Ventoux. Brantes

History of Brantes
In the vicinity of the village, traces of arrowheads and bones have been found, which indicate that this area must have been inhabited early in history. It is not entirely clear when the village of Brantes came into existence. However, it is known that the town was first mentioned in the twelfth century A.D. under the name Brantule. Because of its strategic location, on the valley that was carved out by the river Toulourenc, a castle was built near the village. Despite the presence of this castle, the village played a rather anonymous role throughout the centuries. Thanks to its quiet location, at about 28 kilometres from the bigger town Vaison-la-Romaine, the inhabitants of Brantes led a simple and peaceful life. With the outbreak of the Religious Wars, this relatively peaceful period came to an end. The village of Brantes was taken over by the Protestants and had to deal with the devastating effects of the violence. By the end of the twentieth century, the village was in ruins. The castle was also in ruins. It was around this time that the decision was made to restore the place to its original state.

Brantes today
Today Brantes is known as one of the most beautiful villages around Mont Ventoux. This is largely due to the extensive restoration work that has allowed the village to retain its original character. The village is not very big, but is absolutely worth a visit. You can easily take a few hours for an extended walk through this village with its beautiful old streets. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the big Mont Ventoux. After your walk through this beautiful village, you can enjoy a refreshing drink in the nice restaurant Auberge de Brantes. When you spend your holiday in the department of Vaucluse, or in the nearby department of Drôme, a visit to this lovely village is more than worth it.