Festival of Cherry and Local Produce of Venasque

Venasque and its Cherries: A Centuries-Old Love Story

Perched at an altitude of 310 meters on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Nesque plain and the Monts de Vaucluse, the village of Venasque is one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Vaucluse. Classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, it offers an exceptional panorama of Mont Ventoux, the Dentelles de Montmirail, and the Alpilles, and preserves a remarkable architectural heritage: the Merovingian Baptistery (one of the oldest in France, 6th-7th century), the Romanesque Church of Notre-Dame, the four medieval towers, and the cobbled streets winding between stone houses.

The territory of Venasque and the Monts de Vaucluse has long been one of Provence's major cherry-growing areas. The local microclimate—hot, dry summers, mild springs, moderate altitude—creates ideal conditions for cherries, with bigarreaux and other varieties harvested each year from the end of May. The cherry trees in bloom in spring create one of the region's most photogenic spectacles.

The Confrérie de la Cerise de Venasque since 1978

Founded in 1978, the Confrérie de la Cerise de Venasque is the soul of the festival. Dressed in traditional Provençal costumes—straw hats, colorful aprons, sashes in the confraternity's colors—its members parade, sing, taste, and induct new members in an atmosphere of gaiety and local pride. The confraternity brings together producers, cherry enthusiasts, and defenders of the Vaucluse terroir, all driven by the desire to preserve and promote this emblematic fruit of the Monts de Vaucluse.

The induction ceremony is one of the festival's highlights: new members, whether farmers, restaurateurs, or simply cherry lovers, receive their title by swearing to "defend, promote, and consume with moderation" the cherries of Venasque, to the cheers of the crowd and the joyful songs of the confraternity.

The Cherry and Local Produce Market

The heart of the festival is the grand cherry market, held in the village square and surrounding alleys. Local producers offer their fresh harvests—bigarreaux, burlats, reverchons, griottes—at seasonal prices. Visitors can taste and compare varieties, buying in punnets or crates to take home the best cherries from Vaucluse.

Artisan jam makers, pastry chefs, and liquor producers offer processed products: cherry jams, cherries in brandy, homemade clafoutis, tarts, sorbets. Local producers from the Vaucluse region complete the stalls with olive oil, honey, cheeses, and wines from the region, making the festival a true showcase of Provençal local produce.

Entertainment, Music, and Traditional Games

The Cherry Festival is also a lively and vibrant celebration. Folk groups in traditional Provençal costumes entertain the streets with songs, farandoles, and dances. Musicians and local bands perform on the stage set up in the village square, creating a festive atmosphere from morning to evening.

Educational workshops introduce children to identifying cherry varieties, making jams, and picking techniques. A cherry pit spitting contest delights young and old alike, in the purest tradition of Provençal local festivals. A flea market and craft fair complete the day, allowing visitors to browse local curiosities and creations.

An Exceptional Medieval Village to Discover

The Cherry Festival is the perfect opportunity to visit Venasque and its unique heritage. The Venasque Baptistery, dating from the 6th-7th centuries, is one of France's oldest religious buildings, classified as a Historic Monument. The Church of Notre-Dame (12th century) and the four medieval towers flanking the village testify to its historical importance as the former capital of the diocese of Carpentras. From the rocky promontory, the view over the plain and the mountains is breathtaking.