Bordering the departments of Alpes de Haute-Provence, Var and Bouches-du-Rhône, Beaumont-de-Pertuis is surrounded by mountains and is part of the Lubéron Regional Park.
A little history...
The first reference to Beaumont appears in 1079. "Baùmoun" in Provençal also means cave (in reference to the Saint Eucher cave). It's almost certain that the Hermit entered a cave overlooking the Durance River, as attested by the written records. The village had many lords, so much so that for a long time it was known as Beaumont-les-Nobles. Beaumont's history has been marked by several earthquakes, including the most violent in March 1812.
A rich heritage...
Beaumont-de-Pertuis boasts a rich religious heritage. Foremost among these is the parish church of Saint-Jean Baptiste, a true testimony to local history, first mentioned in the late 11th century. The current building comprises the northern part of a Romanesque structure, with a three-bay nave and a semicircular apse. Beneath this apse was a low chapel, lit by three small windows.
Population growth in the 17th century made the church too small to accommodate all the faithful. A side chapel was built in the middle of the north side, and a gallery was erected against the west wall of the nave.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of funds, the church was neglected by the community. In 1708, following an earthquake, the condition of the church worsened and the southern half of the building collapsed. When the church was rebuilt, the remaining elements on the north side were retained to save costs.
The work was completed in 1718.
The church is currently closed, but its rich history and architecture bear witness to the priceless heritage of this place of worship and local life over the centuries.
The ancient château de Beaumont-de-Pertuis was unfortunately razed to the ground in 1970, leaving only the remains to bear witness to its history. Some parts of the château can be visited, including its underground rooms, accessible via the nearby cellars.
As you walk down the rue de l'église, above a doorway, you'll discover a small devil's head with a goatee and pointed ears. This intriguing sculpture is actually a cast of a Romanesque sculpture that once stood in the church, before being damaged in the earthquake that struck the region.
No visit to Beaumont-de-Pertuis would be complete without a stop at one of its three chapels: the chapelle Saint-Eucher, a true medieval gem nestled in a picturesque landscape and surrounded by greenery; and the ermitage Sainte-Croix, a veritable historical and spiritual treasure, born of the passion and devotion of a hermit and dating back to the 12th century.
Finally, the historic chapel of Notre-Dame de Beauvoir is a real treasure, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and a peaceful atmosphere. The Notre-Dame de Beauvoir chapel was built in the 12th century.
Beaumont's fountains
Fountains abound in Beaumont de Pertuis, including the column fountain, right in the center of the Place de la Colonne.
There's also the low fountain, which has the unusual feature of being a vaulted washhouse, and the pretty mossy fountain, which, as its name suggests, is largely covered in moss. And don't forget the fountain in Place Gilbert Plat and the fountain in Rue du Portail Matheron.
In Beaumont-de-Pertuis, take a stroll to the 7 lakes, a reserve classified as Nature 2000, and very popular with visitors and nature lovers alike.
Last but not least, don't forget the "Sons du Lub'," a festival of contemporary music that sets the pace for a summer weekend. Rock, folk, soul, blues, jazz, new world music... and markets.
Beaumont-de-Pertuis Town Hall
Avenue de Verdun
84120 Beaumont-de-Pertuis
Tel: 04.90.08.01.05
