Тысяча лет тишины: город, которого нет в путеводителях

Тысяча лет тишины: город, которого нет в путеводителях

France is not just Paris and the French Riviera. Here, among vineyards and hills, hundreds of medieval towns are hidden that are almost never mentioned in travel guides. They are known by locals and travelers who seek peace, history, and an authentic atmosphere. In this video, I want to show you one of these places, so that more people can discover the real France. The one that breathes centuries, not advertising. Vaison la Romaine is sadly remembered by all French people for the tragedy that occurred in 1992, on Tuesday, September 22. The overflowing Ouvèze River roared and destroyed everything in its path. Its impressive height ripped buildings from their foundations and swept away the municipal campground. However, the Roman bridge did not collapse, unlike the houses, reminding us that our ancestors were more aware of the flooding problem and took it into account better than anyone else. This plaque was placed next to the bridge and shows the level of the Ouvèze River during the rainy episode of 1992, reminding us of that terrible flood. Today, looking at the river, it’s hard to believe that it could have risen so high and caused so much damage to the town. The Roman bridge spanning the Ouvèze River connects the two parts of the town and is one of Vaison’s main landmarks. This structure is still in use to this day and stands as proof of the technical mastery of Roman engineers. Built in the 1st century BC, the bridge has withstood centuries of floods and now symbolizes the connection between past and present. Vaison la Romaine consists of two parts: a modern city located below and the medieval part, which is located on the hill, also called the upper town. And our video will be dedicated to that part of Vaison. And now we are heading up to the upper town, so don’t forget to subscribe to the channel, like the video, leave a comment, and anyone who subscribes to the channel gets a karma bonus. During the summer tourist season, you’ll find a wide selection of cafes and restaurants right in the heart of the Upper Town, but we arrived early, everything is still closed. If you prefer peace and quiet, then I recommend strolling through these streets in the off-season. In any case, this town will charm you. These are the old gates of the town, they’re called Porte Vieille (Old Gate). This is one of the most atmospheric corners of Provence. It’s worth a visit if you love history and architecture. The Upper Town is full of old Renaissance mansions. The buildings are in good condition and have preserved their original style. The historical heritage of Vaison la Romaine is incredibly rich. Its charm can truly be felt, transporting you back in time. In Vaison, the streets are narrow with steep turns. This is a defensive architectural element, so the enemy could not advance quickly. At that time, every resident had to fight for the town — even women. They would throw stones and boiling water from balconies to stop the enemy. Some facades feature old photographs taken at the same location. They show scenes from the daily life of local residents and enhance the impression of visiting the medieval town. Among the centuries-old stones lives an amazing silence, but this is not a forgotten corner. Here, history and life go hand in hand. Behind stone arches you’ll find restaurants, and along quiet streets there are galleries to discover. An incredible combination of colors and stone. All this gives a special charm to Vaison la Romaine. And this is the Cathedral of Our Lady standing on a cliff. It is also known as the cathedral of the Upper Town. From here, you get a picturesque view of the surroundings. This cathedral was built on the site of an old 12th-century church. Construction of the new cathedral began in the 15th century and was completed in the 18th. In 1994, it was added to the list of historic monuments. There is an incredible silence here. Tourists are almost absent, only the sound of cicadas can be heard. The castle belonged to the Counts of Toulouse, one of the most powerful feudal lords of Southern France. In the 13th century, after the Crusades, control of the castle passed to the French crown. During the French Revolution, the castle was destroyed as a symbol of feudal power. Its stones were partially taken for building houses. The climb to the castle is quite difficult. You should wear comfortable shoes, and the stones, worn smooth by tourists, are very slippery. So be careful. Built in the 12th century, the castle was erected at the highest point of the upper town and dominates the surrounding plains. Only the exterior can be viewed. Entry inside, unfortunately, is blocked. They say that when the sun sets behind the hills of Vaison and the last tourist leaves the narrow streets, the stone town comes alive. But not for everyone, of course. For those who stay, slow their pace and pause. In the soft rustle of leaves, you can hear the creak of leather shoes. Somewhere in the distance, the clang of metal, as if a blacksmith has taken up his hammer again, and behind the lattice windows, for a moment a light flares up — a candle, that no one lit. Some say it’s just the wind. Others say the memory of the stones is too strong to vanish. On such nights, the old castle stops being a ruin. It becomes a fortress once again. In the courtyard, a fire lights up, and the guard’s cloak flashes. And if you stay in the upper town for even one night, you may hear and see Vaison as it was many centuries ago. Hidden in the stone streets of the medieval town, the hotel Le Beffroi is not just a place to sleep, but a true journey through time. This hotel has a long history. It was in this lounge, in 1954, that a scene from the French film, “Such Different Fates,” “Le mouton à 5 pattes” was filmed with our beloved Fernandel. For the filming, the interior of the lounge was partially altered to create the desired atmosphere, and since then little has changed here, only the furniture was rearranged. So we are literally standing in the very same set that you can see on screen. And maybe, if you close your eyes, you can imagine the sound of Fernandel’s voice, the footsteps of the film crew, or the clicking of an old movie camera somewhere in the corner. Amazingly, in this very room, in 1954 a film with Fernandel was shot, and today we’re also filming our own movie—there’s something about it that gives you goosebumps. The rooms preserve the authentic atmosphere of 16th–17th century mansions— wooden beams, antique furniture, tapestries, and warm lighting. All of it creates the feeling that you are the hero of a novel, transported to Provence several centuries ago. Such a cozy and authentic room. It’s worth noting that even though it’s hot outside—38 degrees— the room stays cool, even though there’s no air conditioning. Outside the rooms is true Provençal bliss—a restaurant and café with a terrace offering a breathtaking view of the Ouvèze Valley and Lower Vaison. The hotel features a gorgeous terrace with a restaurant where you can have breakfast and enjoy the view of the town. Right next to the terrace rises an old bell tower, with delicate wrought-iron clockwork—a true architectural highlight of Upper Vaison. It’s as if it watches over time, which flows more slowly here, as if adjusting to the rhythm of the old town. There’s a very beautiful relaxation area here, where you can unwind, read something, sit on a bench. Kids can enjoy the swings. It’s so hot, but the hotel has a great pool where you can relax and cool off, of course. Artists and painters often stay at this hotel. They leave not just warm words of thanks in the guestbook, but also drawings, sketches, and poems— as a love letter to this place. I also left a note there for the warm welcome and soulful atmosphere. To fully immerse yourself in the past, you can spend the night in one of these authentic hotels. Here’s the postcard we chose. Whoever wants to receive it, write in the comments, “I want a postcard,” as per our old tradition. Vaison is a town where eras layer on top of each other at every step. Beneath your feet, a Roman road, above you, medieval walls. This is not just a walk on stones— it’s a journey through time. Thank you for watching this video to the end. Subscribe to the channel, hit like, leave a comment, and be sure to click the bell icon to stay up to date on new videos about walking through France.

Открываем для себя один из самых недооценённых уголков Прованса — средневековый Vaison-la-Romaine. Каменные дома, мощёные улочки, тишина, панорамы на долину Увèз — и ночь в настоящем отеле XVII века, где окна смотрят прямо в прошлое. Здесь будто ничего не изменилось за тысячу лет.

#VaisonLaRomaine #Прованс #Франция #Средневековье #История

🏰 Что вас ждёт в этом видео:
• Город на холме, которому больше 1000 лет
• Узкие улицы, лестницы, старинные башни и почти полное отсутствие туристов
• Ночь в отеле Le Beffroi — историческом особняке с видом на долину
• Замок графов Тулузы и следы великого прошлого
• Камень, дерево, свет и тени — как в фильме, только без сценария
• Атмосфера настоящей Франции — без фильтров и глянца
• Место, где время идёт по своим законам
📍 Vaison-la-Romaine — это не просто город. Это живая декорация к истории, в которой ты вдруг оказался главным героем.
🌿 Если вам близки тишина, история, уединённые маршруты и города, где каждый угол хранит память — это видео для вас.
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