Saignon

Saignon is a commune with 1018 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Vaucluse department in the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur. Major lines of business of Saignonnais are tourism and agriculture.

Geography

Saignon is located 63 km north of Marseille and 3 kilometers south-east of Apt on the northern edge of the Luberon Natural Regional Park of Luberon. The Coulon flows through the municipal area.

History

Several inscriptions in Gaulish language and Greek alphabet and the finds in a necropolis suggest that the village was inhabited by a mixed population of Celts and Ligurians.

Saignon was first documented in the 10th century as Sagnione in the cartulary of the monastery of Apt. The first surviving document from the monastery of Saint- Eusèbe dates from the year 1004.

Policy

Saignon part of the Local Government Association Pays d' Apt.

The municipal coat of arms is red and shows three golden castles with two towers and an open Donjon. The openings are black. The castles stand on three black rocks with silver tears. The coat of arms shield is supported by two crossed oak branches and hovers above him a golden crown with three tower-shaped prongs. The three castles are available for the ruined castles, the castle on the rock of Bellevue ( in the north), the castle Méjean ( in the middle) and the castle Grigière (in the south near the church).

Attractions

• The church of Notre -Dame-de - Pitié was built in the 11th and 12th centuries. It is classified as a monument historique (historic monument).
• The village with its small streets and the central square with a fountain ( Place de la Fontaine )
• The lookout with views over the mountains of the Vaucluse to Mont Ventoux
• The monastery of Saint- Eusèbe was founded in the 8th century and built in the modern version of the 11th century. It was sold in the course of the French Revolution (1789-1799) and is now in private ownership. The monastery was classified in 1996 as a monument historique. It has been converted into agricultural and residential buildings and can be rented for events today.

Personalities

The local saint Martian was born in Saignon and to have lived in the 8th century. He is considered the founder of the monastery of Saint- Eusèbe and abbot was in Apt. His feast day is August 25.