
Crillon le Brave is a picturesque little village with lovely stonework houses,
perched 363 metres above sea level, with a magnificent view of the giant
of Provence: Mont Ventoux.
At
the end of the 19th century the village Council decided to honour their
heroic lord, Louis de Balbe de Crillon, also known as "le brave des braves"
(brave among the brave) by naming the village "Crillon le Brave".
When you arrive from Caromb, you enter
the village through the Gérin gate. Keep going until you reach the car
park in front of the mairie and park there.
A huge bronze statue of Captain Crillon
le Brave, 2.30 m high, welcomes you at the entrance to the village as
if to invite you to visit. You will then discover the mairie housed in
the former village school, and right next to it the museum of mechanical
music. Before going inside, take the time to appreciate the panoramic
view from this height.
To
the right of the mairie, you will be able to admire houses restored very
tastefully. A little further on you will discover the Crillon le Brave
hotel (4 star Relais & Châteaux) that has preserved the authenticity and
charm of Provencal buildings of olden times. On this small square, opposite
the main entrance to the hotel, is the church of Saint Romain, built entirely
in stone. Inside you will be able to see an altarpiece sculpted in wood,
considered to be the work of Bernus.
From
the Place de l'Eglise, you can reach the medieval château (privately owned
and closed to the public), but you will only be able to admire its facade
and recently added crenels from the outside.
In the past the village lived off agriculture alone. These days Crillon
has grown a great deal thanks to tourism. Numerous secondary residences
are occupied during the high season. As soon as the good weather sets
in there is a large increase in the population. Don’t' leave Crillon le
Brave without visiting the cellars of the local Côtes du Ventoux vineyards. |