Carluc Priory
1,000 years of history
On stage The Méditerranée à vélo Apt | Manosque, between Céreste and Reillanne, hidden at the bottom of a coomb and surrounded by centuries-old oaks, Carluc Priory’s vestiges may go unnoticed by cyclists in too much of a rush! However, this religious house begun over 1,000 years ago and now listed as an historic monument is well worth a stop. With its Romanesque chapel surrounded by a cemetery, this tranquil, refreshing place has long been appreciated by walkers. Explanatory panels allow visitors to find out more about the priory on the spot.
In the Middle Ages, as the priory stood close to the major Via Domitia road, it provided a welcome place to rest for pilgrims moving between Spain and Italy via Provence. The existence of troglodytic monastic cells recalls its role as a thriving religious centre. Now, it’s most often a new type of tourist pilgrim on a bike who stops to visit the priory!
