Roaix owes its history to the Knights Templar : a Commandery was erected in their honor in the 12th century, with its own chapel and regular house. At “Les Crottes”, you can still admire the apse of the Romanesque chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Crottes, now privately owned. Not far away was the former Templar house, with its fascinating past.
Look up, and the historic heart of Roaix is revealed on the hillside, inviting curious souls to wander through its narrow streets. Here, you’ll find charming residences, remnants of the original village walls and a fountain that whispers of the village’s history… The church of Saint-Roch, built on the foundations of an older edifice and completed in 1736, reveals a singular architecture: its apse faces west, an exception in tradition. Opposite the church, a small cul-de-sac leads to a viewpoint overlooking Mont Ventoux.
Nearby is the château, a typically Provencal edifice whose origins are intertwined with the history of the Knights Templar on the Roaix hilltop. Originally a fortress, it evolved into its present form in the 15th century, becoming a private property surrounded by a remarkable park, while retaining its character. For special events, the manor opens its doors to share the beauty and tranquility of its gardens.
For walkers, let yourself be carried away by the many paths winding through the hills and overlooking the village. Adorned with vineyards, olive groves and woods, these paths offer breathtaking panoramas with exceptional views of the Ouvèze valley, Mont Ventoux, the Dentelles de Montmirail, the Drôme Provençale, the Pre-Alps… A wonderful escape in the tranquillity of these unspoilt landscapes.
DID YOU KNOW?
Excavation of a hypogeum in 1966 unearthed a pile of skeletons from the Chalcolithic period. A massacre is thought to have been the cause of this mass burial, as arrows were found embedded in the bones.