This rural village of stone houses will amaze you with the diversity
of its colors and with its rich historical and architectural
heritage. Perched on a hill, with a remarkable view of the
Ventoux and the Rhône Valley, it dominates the surrounding vineyards.
You can visit the only functioning windmill in the region, the Romanesque chapel
of St. Jean-Baptiste, the chapel of St. Pierre, and the medieval castle. The
last two monuments are privately owned, but you can admire their beautiful exteriors,
which harmonize with the village's old buildings. Those tourists who love the
countryside can follow three hiking trails: GR42, GR42 b, and PR. Picnickers
and forest lovers can visit the springs of Fontfroide or Luget.
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| shops |
Bakery, Lou Caleou Inn, wine cooperative, Domaine Belle-feuille,
Domaine Verdier, Domaine Vignac, over 27 businesses (construction, architecture,
plumbing, etc.) |
| heritage |
The Romanesque Chapel of St. Jean-Baptiste: inscribed on the
supplementary list of historical monuments since 1986, built in the late
11th century. The side chapels (enfeux) are of a later period. It has managed
to preserve some superb interior murals which date from the 14th century.
The windmill of Vénéjan: built in 1813, the original mill functioned
for a hundred years or so. Renovated at the end of 1999 and beginning of 2000,
following the wishes of the town, it was inaugurated on May 27, 2000 and is now
in fully working condition, as it was in its heyday.
Medieval castle (private), Chapel of St. Pierre (private), Chapel of St. Georges
(private). The area around the spring of Fontfroide is a great place for having
picnics or relaxing. Walking tours and theme tours.
Events : 2nd weekend of June (Sunday), regional heritage day and windmill day;
end of June/beginning of July, musical evenings in the Romanesque chapel of St.
Jean-Baptiste; second half of September , national heritage day; November, the
festival of the "vin primeur" taking place at the windmill; December,
Christmas market, santons. |
| history |
This former Gallo-Roman estate was abandoned in the 5th
century in favor of the oppidum de Lombrun. The first castrum of the
10th century was established on the hillside that is the village's present-day
site, and its castle chapel was built afterwards.
Guillaume de Vénéjan, bishop of Uzès in the 12th century,
founded the Carthusian Monastery of Valbonne.
From 1290 to the end of the 16th century, the Béziers family, who built
the castle, was succeeded by the Ancezune family and later the Grignans, whose
last member married Marguerite de Sévigné, daughter of the famous
Marquise. In 1720, the seigneury was sold to Charles de Fogasse and then to the
Marquis de la Fare.
Vénéjan is a farming village of subsistence crops, goat and sheep
herding, and silkworms. It opened its first school in 1780. |
| local products |
Côtes du Rhône, local wines. |
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Between Ceze and Ardeche rivers
Cevennes foothills
Tave river valley
In the Cotes du Rhone
Around Uzes
Near the Pont du Gard
Across the bridge from Avignon
