Enclave of the popes, Historical territory in Vaucluse, France
The Enclave of the Popes comprises four communes—Valréas, Visan, Grillon, and Richerenches—that together form a historic territory within Vaucluse department. The area is surrounded entirely by French soil and shows many traces of its unusual administrative past.
In 1317, Pope John XXII purchased the Valréas estate after recovering from illness, which he attributed to the healing power of local wines. This acquisition marked the beginning of a distinct papal territory that endured for centuries.
The four communes preserve medieval buildings with fortified walls, bell towers, and chapels that reflect religious life under papal rule. Visitors can see how these structures still shape the everyday landscape and remind people of this territory's past importance.
Visitors can follow marked trails along the historic borders and spot old stone markers that indicate the boundaries. A circular walk through the territory takes about two to three hours and passes through all four communes.
The territory creates an unusual geographic arrangement where part of Vaucluse department is completely surrounded by another French department. This distinctive administrative situation resulted from a papal charter signed over 700 years ago.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
