Euroguides - essential for visitors and travellers to Europe - France - Provence - Vaucluse

Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.
The village is on a hillside just north of the town of Apt and south of Sault in the Luberon region. The village is spread along the base of a long cliff that gives the impression of being a fortified wall as you approach.
Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt is larger, more developed and less visited by tourists than many in the vicinity, but don't be deterred from visiting just because it is not in all the guide books: the lack of tourists here is a significant part of the appeal of the village!
It is in the heart of the old village that your visit will focus. There are numerous small highlights of interest to discover as you explore the narrow streets of old St-Saturnin-les-Apt, as well as lovely views across the surrounding Luberon countryside.
As you explore Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt you will see pretty ornate stone fountains and doorways, old wrought iron balconies, pastel painted houses, vaulted passages all of which combine to give a real sense of the history of the village.
Parts of the ramparts can also be seen although only one of the original gateways through the fortifications is still in existence - the imposing Porte d'Ayguier.
Among the monuments you can see the Priory of Saint-Pierre d'Agnane (dates from the 13th century) and several small chapels, and the fine house of the Knight's Templars among others. The main Church of Saint-Etienne only dates back to 1860, although it replaced a much earlier church on the same site.
St Saturnin is noted for its delicious cherries, and for other appetites there is no shortage of restaurants in and around the village. The 16th century windmill on the heights above is a reminder of the important role played by food production in building this village: as well as cherries - wine, lavender, olives and truffles. The oak-covered hills around are obvious truffle country, and it was here that someone first tried to grow truffles - you may see his statue in the village, depicting a man holding a truffle. His name was Joseph Talon and he is the father of trufficulture.
A population of English ex-patriates have chosen St Saturnin as their village, no doubt because it satisfies the criteria any visitor would enjoy: it is a very attractive place but not visited by tour buses; there are good places to eat and gather, it is alive year-round; and the town of Apt, with its mega-market on Saturdays, is close by.