The rock hollowed out for tombs and dwellings is one of the great curiosities of the region. A chapel and open rock tombs testify to a place of worship around a spring that must have existed before the common era.

Site history

A small monastery developed at the latest from 1101 on this old site. It is believed that a saint was buried here in addition to the venerated spring, but he has not yet been identified.

Located on the Via Domitia between Spain and Briançon, the complex has also been a well-known point on the Way of St. James since the Middle Ages.

The monastery reached its peak around the 12th century when there were several offshoots in the area and three chapels stood on site. Of these, only the Notre-Dame chapel is partially preserved today.

Description

The priory stands in front of a rock wall which is broken through by a corridor, which reveals former rock dwellings and which has a large number of rock tombs. Some of the graves are located directly in the corridor, many others are scattered around.

The chapel has a pentagonal apse. In its current state, it probably dates from the 15th century. The outer walls are riddled with scaffolding holes. Some corners of the building are decorated with columns whose capitals have leaf and bird designs.

Access by public transport

The location is not publicly accessible. However, Céreste is on the route of line 62 in the network Zou! (only french). It takes about an hour to walk from the town centre to the destination. Follow the same route as described below for cars from Céreste.

Access by car

The D4100 and D900 roads link Forcalquier to Apt in an east-west valley north of the Luberon massif. The site and the town of Céreste are on this connecting road.

Coming from Apt, you cross Céreste and at the eastern exit of the town look out for the car park, here there is also a sign pointing to the Prieuré de Carluc.

Coming from Forcalquier, one follows signs towards Apt. At the top of the plateau you go straight over the junction where the A51 motorway and Manosque are signposted on the left. At the same time you look at the odometer, because 4.9 km later we have to follow the small signpost to the right to the Prieuré de Carluc.

Coming from Manosque or Pertuis, we reach the D4100 at Les Granons. Here turn left and after 4.9 km follow the signpost to the Prieuré de Carluc.

In all cases we arrive from the west and see the chapel in the forest.

To park, you drive out a bend on the road and can then stop more easily.