Lacoste (Vaucluse)

Geography

Lacoste is a Village perched of the Vaucluse a few kilometres from Bonnieux, Ménerbes, Goult and Gordes.

The closest cities are Apt (10 km), Cavaillon (21 km) and It Isle-on-Sorgues (22 km).

Access

One reaches it since the Nationale 100 by D 106 and since Ménerbes by D 109.

Relief

The village is posed on the northern side of an extension of small the Luberon and profits from a northern exposure (vis-a-vis the mistral) and is (rising sun) with its old castle at the top. This position offers to him, since the castle, a superb sight on the plain of Bonnieux, the Mont Ventoux and the the Alps

The commune extends it until the top where the forest of cedars in the south is and goes down towards the plain from the Calavon to north.

Geology

Small the Luberon consists of a very broad zone of Calcaire S marly half-compartments by harder limestone benches (Néocomien) formant of large cliffs. On the northern slope whose commune of Lacoste forms part, it is the Barrémien which occupies more large surface.

Hydrography

Some brooks

History

Quoted in 1056: “Costa”.

After misfortunes of the 14th century (plagues, wars, armed robberies…), the village is repopulated at the end of the 15th century by the of Vaud.

Lacoste being in Provence, contrary to the close localities (in Comtat Venaissin), was attached to the Crown of France as of 1481.

The of Vaud being rejoined with the reform in 1532, in April 1545 a persecution is organized against them by the Parlement of Aix. The troops of Paulin of the Guard, under the direction of the first president of the Parliament of Aix, Maynier, lord of Oppède, plunder the village. The grounds are confiscated, the massacred men, the women violated before being killed. The massacre of Lacoste is one of most horrible of this persecution.

1771 : the Marquis de Sade flees Paris and the scandals caused by its writings and its manners libertines. It takes refuge then in the castle of Lacoste who belongs to his grandfather after being a long time remained the property of the family of Simiane.
August 12th 1793: Creation of the Vaucluse, Lacoste is transferred there since the Rhone delta.

With the Revolution, the castle is vandalisé and partly destroyed. The materials which composed it are resold for other constructions.

It is currently in the course of restoration.

Heraldic

Quartered: with the first and the gold fourth to the tower of azure, open of the field, with the second and the third of mouths to star of eight gold ray; with the cross of eight points pommetée of sand, charged with a melting money dove, stitching on quartered.

The tower is part of weapons of the Simiane (sown gold of turns and flowers of lily of azure ), the star that of Sade ( Of geules to star with eight gold ray).

Administration

Demography

Graph of the evolution of the population 1794-1999

Economy and local life

The painter Bernard Pfriem founded there in 1970 - 71 “Lacoste School off the Arts” (begun again by an American school of art, the Savannah College off Art and Design ), always in activity to date. The charisma of Bernard Pfriem and his contacts in the world of arts enabled him to attract in its school of the personalities like max Ernst, Man Ray, Lee Miller, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Roland Penrose… which remained in Lacoste to share their experiments there. It is largest " activité" commune and a very important foncié owner.

The weekly market day is Tuesday (morning).

Old careers of stone sizes (of which always in activity).

Tourism

The village is equipped with an tourist office

Since the arrival of Pierre Cardin, an estival festival of music and theater is organized in the old careers of the castle under the aegis of Eve Ruggiéri.

Agriculture

Local agriculture:

fruit-bearing Cultures (of which almonds)
Wine in AOC Coasts of Luberon

Sports

A stage of foot as well as many footpaths.

Worship

Christian (church and cemetery)

Environment

Several sites for recycling glass.

Places and monuments

the Castle of Lacoste, having belonged to the Marquis de Sade, of the 11th century. Deprived (Pierre Cardin), partially renovated
Old career (stone) where is organized each summer a Festival of Musique
Beffroi of 1793 with Campanile out of wrought iron
Eglise of the 12th century, but also streets in Calade, fountain and laundrette, frontages Renaissance and remainders of fortifications (ramparts, doors,)
Ancien Temple protesting of the 19th century, become communal room.
Forest of cedars of 207 hectares, located on the Small Luberon.
Many Borie S of which the borie of White Mourre.

Personalities related to the commune

Marquis de Sade (1740 - 1814), libertine and writer.
Malachier, miller-sculptor of the 20th century.
Pierre Cardin (1922 -), dressmaker.

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