Cadenet travel guide

Visit Cadenet (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France)

The town of Cadenet is in the Vaucluse department, in the south of the Regional Natural Park of Luberon.

Explore Cadenet

France This Way review: Cadenet is not really a town that attracts tourists, but if you do find yourself here as you explore the southern Luberon there are a couple of sights in the town you might like to see.

We suggest you start with a visit to Cadenet Tourist Office in the main square to ask for the map that shows the principal attractions in the town: these are rather spread out in all directions. There are more than 10 fountains and washhouses for example, hidden away in the streets.

In the main square you will notice a bronze statue representing André Estienne, the "Drummer of Arcole" and installed in 1894. Estienne was born in Cadenet and became a drummer in Napoleon's Army. During a battle against the Austrians that Napoleon was in danger of losing and that involved capturing a bridge from the Austrians, the drummer André Estienne swam across the river with his drum on his head, beat the drum behind enemy lines and made them believe they were being encircled, forcing them to retreat. He was subsequently greatly honoured by Napoleon.

Just up the hill from the main square you can see the Church Saint-Etienne with its belltower and hexagonal spire. The church was built in the 14th century on the site of a 12th century church and the choir section, several of the chapels and the belltower were added betwen the 16th and 18th centuries. The spire was the most recent addition, added to the church in 1844.

Inside the church you can see the iron fence around the choir section and a 19th century organ, but the most interesting feature is the baptismal font because it is very ancient, being an ancient sarcophagus later reused as a font.

Almost opposite the church there is a Museum of Basketry to celebrate this industry which was important for Cadenet in the past, based on wicker grown along the edges of the Durance River.

The most important monument in Cadenet is the site of the castle on the hill above the town - a reasonable distance so you are likely to want to drive here rather than walk, especially if it is a hot day. A castle has stood in this location since the 11th century, although the castle was dismantled on the orders of Louis XIV in the 17th century then burned following the revolution.

People now visit the site to see several troglodyte dwellings and also to enjoy the view across the roofs of Cadenet: it is a nice place for a picnic and various events are organised here during the summer.

Attractions nearby

You will almost certainly discover Cadenet when you are exploring the many lovely villages in this part of Provence such as Lourmarin, Ansouis and Lacoste, all of which are within easy reach of the town.

Explore elsewhere in the Luberon. You can find more travel ideas in the Vaucluse guide and the Provence guide.