Dominated by a former Templar commandery listed as part of the historical heritage, Joucas has had an atypical history, punctuated as much by the hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem as by the settlement of the Vaudois of the Alps in the 15th century.
A bit of history...
In 1055, Castrum Joucas is mentioned in a charter of the Abbey of Saint-Victor in Marseille.
Property of the bishops of Apt, then of the d'Agoult-Simiane family, Joucas was, in the 13th century, passed on to the military-religious order of the "Hospitallers Saint - John of Jerusalem" which became the "Order of Malta".
In the 16th century, the general persecution of the Waldensians affected the village and crimes were committed on both sides. The Lord Commander was murdered and his body thrown into a well. The majority of the population of Waldensian tendency then joined the Reformation and converted. Later, in 1663, the Château de la Commanderie, the upper remains of the village, and the Temple (Notre-Dame church) were destroyed by the Catholics.
At the end of the 18th century, the priest, representative of the Commander, had a new church built, despite financial difficulties.
A typical Luberon heritage
Flowered corners, beautiful stone houses, winding and cobbled streets, everything invites you to silence and stroll.
Joucas has preserved its oil mill, with its original instruments and its partly troglodytic construction. You should also see the beautiful windmill tower, the oil mill.
How not to mention the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste from the 18th century, a little jewel of Italian art, a real museum of trompe l'oeil painting?
Nowadays, the charm of the old stones of this perched village is reinforced by the establishment of the Art Labyrinth and its monumental sculptures that question humanity.
Resolutely south-facing, well sheltered from the Mistral wind, Joucas enjoys a unique view of the plain and the ochre-coloured hills, the magnificent surrounding countryside and the Luberon.
In Joucas you should also take advantage of the possibilities of hiking and horse riding on the GR6, the marked footpaths, hot-air balloon rides and horse riding and riding farm rides.
Town Hall of Joucas
84220 Joucas
Phone : 04.90.05.78.00
contact@joucas.fr
http://luberon.fr/communes/joucas/
