Séguret
is located to the North of the Dentelles de Montmirail and to the
West of the Mont-Ventoux. It is ranked as one of "the Most Beautiful
Villages of France".
Everything here is typifies Provence, and it is very neat. Its name
comes from the Provençal word "Ségur", which
means "sure - safe". The reason for this is that the village,
hanging on the cliffs of the Dentelles was deemed to be a place where
people felt safe in uncertain times. Séguret used to belong
to the Principality of Orange,
like many of the neighboring villages, when, in 1178, Bertrand des
Baux was awarded the title of "Princeps" by Fréderic
de Barberousse.
There
are still the remains of some fortifications dating back to the 14th
century. These ramparts had two gateways for accessing the village:
the Portail de la Bise on the North side and the Portail Neuf on the
South Side. The Parochial church of Notre-Dame and Saint-Just (12th)
has been much transformed over the course of history.
The Chapel Sainte-Tecle was erected for the confrérie des Pénitents
blancs in the 18th century, with the help of funds given by Messire
Garcin. Today it serves as the Village communal area and is still
in excellent state.
Everything in Séguret is a cast back to its past: its meandering
streets, its 10th century Church (The Church of Saint-Denis (Xeme)),
its ancient house, the rue des Poternes, the fountain of the Mascarons
(now classified as a historical monument)...
Moreover, since 1928, every Christmas Eve since 1928, Séguret
has an extra special animation. Pilgrims to this "Provençal
Bethlehem" file through the streets to the small Church of Saint
Denis which is at the very top of the village. All can not fit into
the narrow church, and the Pilgrims spill out onto the square, which
gives the event an added touch of magic. Séguret is also famed
for its wine (Côtes du Rhône) which it has cultivated
for many centuries.
