Lirac is located 4 km from Tavel, 15 km from Orange, 18 km from Avignon, 19 km from Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, 31 km from the Pont du Gard, 32 km from Uzès, 36 km from the Gorges du Gardon
GPS : Longitude : 4.690556 E - Latitude : 44.035557 N
Population : 816
Altitude : 121
A neighbour to Tavel, the village has also built up a solid reputation for its wines (Cru Lirac, AOC and Côtes du Rhône). Lirac, which has produced wines for many centuries, was one of the Papal court's regular suppliers over the course of the 14th century, and then, in the 16th century, they were much sought after by the country's aristocrats and upper classes. Whether white, red or rosé, Lirac wines will prove an ideal complement to your dishes.
There is a signposted path which climbs up to the cave of Sainte-Baume, which served as a refuge during the Wars of Religion. In 1647, Joseph Queyranne, from the village, discovered a statuette of the Virgin Mary there and found himself miraculously cured from the epilepsy he had been suffering from; in thanks he vowed to live as a hermit in the cave. He was succeeded by many other hermits until 1905.
A chapel was built there named Notre-Dame de la Consolation, and, during masses, a number of new miracles occurred. The chapel became a pilgrimage site, and the pilgrims carry the statuette up to the cave in a formal procession.
The site is very picturesque and offers superb views over the region.
What to see, what to visit : Orange, the pontifical city of Avignon, the Pont du Gard, the Dentelles de Montmirail, the Mont-Ventoux, Uzès, Tavel and its wine cellars.
Available activities: visits of the caves and domaines, canoeing and swimming in the Gardon, walks, cyclo-touring, mountain biking… |
