Piolenc

Discover the village of Piolenc in Vaucluse, near Mornas

In the heart of the Vaucluse, the village of Piolenc transports you into an authentic Provencal atmosphere, just 10 minutes from Orange. This pleasant Provencal village has a dual personality: on the one hand, its picturesque historic center with its medieval streets and 16th-century castle; on the other, its ultra-modern leisure center, making it a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts in the region.

Growing garlic has been one of the village's traditions for generations. Between heritage and modernity, Piolenc offers an ideal base for exploring Provence, while enjoying original activities off the beaten tourist track. Discover all the secrets of Piolenc in this article.

You'll reach Piolenc on the Route Nationale 7, which runs through the village and offers a succession of shops. The village, surrounded by a road, is easy to explore. Park your car and take a stroll through the narrow streets to the church.

Saint-Pierre church

Perched on a promontory, the church of Saint Pierre has dominated the village of Piolenc since the 11th century, with its bell tower topped by the town clock. This superb church bears witness to the influence of the Cluny order on the region. To reach it, a long stone staircase leads up to the door of the Saint-Pierre church, an ideal place to immortalize the village as it opens up to visitors.

Piolenc, the city of garlic

Piolenc is a major garlic producer, and every year at the end of August, the village celebrates garlic. For a week, everyone plays the game, shop windows are decorated and garlic stalls are set up. The highlight of the festival is the preparation of a giant aioli by the garlic brotherhood. Atmosphere guaranteed!

Tourism: Parc Alexis Gruss and its famous horses

The Cirque Gruss castle proudly overlooks the village. This former medieval fortress was bought by the famous Gruss family, who have turned it into a unique place where circus and history come together in astonishing fashion. From mid-April to mid-September, the Gruss family's Parc Alexis Gruss offers tours and entertainment all day, Tuesday to Sunday. From a visit to the museum, housed in the castle's rooms, to a meeting with the circus horses that have contributed to their fame, to an old-fashioned circus show... you'll be amazed, and the day will seem short.

Wam Park: the Piolenc water sports center

The Wam Park water park is sure to appeal to lovers of aquatic leisure activities. This water park offers fun activities on a 25-hectare lake. Swimming is supervised in summer, and the waterski lift is a real sensation. For a relaxing day out, allow 15 minutes to reach the base from the village. Activities are available from April to October, with prices starting at €24 for swimming and water games. Ideal for a picnic in the middle of nature and a good swim in the hot summer weather!

Our map of Piolenc (zip code 84 420)

To find your way around Piolenc, you can use our interactive map on this page. We've included all the town's points of interest, as well as our accommodation recommendations. So you can locate them before you book your vacation or weekend in Piolenc, Vaucluse.