------ Others Villages ------- Beaumes-de-Venise Gigondas Vacqueyras Sablet Le Barroux Vaison-la-Romaine Cairanne Séguret Roaix Malaucène Entrechaux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Jonquières Sarrians Valréas Visan

Coat of arms :
D'azur à quatre chaînes
d'or posées en sautoir
et réunies au centre par
un anneau du même.

Perched on a 200m-high hill, Rasteau is a wine-growers' village located in the Haut-Vaucluse.

A Romanic Church dating back to the 12th century and the ruins of a 12th century castle (which used to be an Episcopal residence) dominate the village.

The côteaux and wine domains between Aygues and Ouvèze produce a generous wine which has benefited from an 'appellation' criteria for 50 years now. Every year, on August 15 there is a special event : 'La Nuit du Vin' - The night of wine.

The village's life revolves around a huge square - the Place de l'Apparent, which was conceived by Mademoiselle de l'Apparent in the 18th century. She was adamant that this square be reserved solely for children's games and leisure activities when she donated it to the village. Nowadays still it is the place where everyone from the village meets up, and it is enclosed by shops, the school and the Town Hall.

In 1253 : Castris de Rastelio.
The remains discovered in the village show that Rasteau was already an affluent place in which to live right back under the Roman occupation.

The Bishop Pierre II de Mirabel was its leader in 1009.
The Domain was integrated into the Popes' possession in 1274.

There are walking circuits offer superb views.

From the top of the village, there is a fabulous panoramic view of the Préalpes, the Dentelles de Montmirail and the Mont Ventoux.