Gigondas

There are a few theories about how Gigondas got its name, but in Roman times it was called "Jocunditas" meaning jubilation or joy, which we like to think goes hand in hand with drinking its wine.

Saint Catherine's church at the top of the village dates back to the 11th century and has a charming little bell tower and sundial on the outer wall.

You can also see the remains of a medieval castle and its fortifications a little further up the hill.

Dotted around the village are around 20 sculptures by different contemporary artists, and if this sort of art is to your liking, you can see more in an exhibit in the upper floors of the old hospice next to the church.

From May to October you'll find a small number of events taking place in the village, with free guided tours of the village in July and August.

The infamous mountains of the Dentelles de Montmirail are easily visible from here, with their jagged peaks rising above the vineyards. It's a popular place to go climbing, hiking and mountain biking. You can of course enjoy wine tasting here in one of the many shops in the village.

There are a small number of cafés and restaurants in the village where you can stop for lunch or dinner, mainly around the small village square.

Gigondas lies around 45 minutes drive north east from Avignon and around 1h40 north west of Aix en Provence. The closest large town to the village is Orange which lies to the west and which can be reached in around 25 minutes by car. Park your car at the foot of the village and walk up to get to the main square and a handful of wine shops and cafés.