Gordes, Medieval commune in Vaucluse, France.
Gordes is a commune in the Vaucluse department, set on a rise that overlooks the Luberon Valley with stone houses stacked in tiers up the slope. The layout follows the natural gradient, creating rows of interlocking roofs and light stone facades that form a compact whole.
The commune began in the Middle Ages as a fortified settlement, its castle and defensive walls offering protection against raids. In August 1944, sections of the settlement suffered heavy destruction by German troops in retaliation for local resistance, leading to postwar reconstruction.
The name Gordes comes from the Latin word "vortex," reflecting the spiral arrangement of streets that wind around the hillside. Visitors today notice how residents use these narrow passages to escape summer heat and gather in shaded corners.
The streets are steep and paved with cobblestones, so comfortable footwear is advisable for walking around. A circuit through the settlement usually takes about an hour, but allowing extra time for breaks in shaded passages is wise.
The nearby Village des Bories preserves well-kept dry stone structures built over centuries without mortar or binding agents, showing regional building tradition. Visitors can see in these huts the simple construction method in which stones are held together only by their own weight.
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