A truly Provencal village ...... Today, the village has expanded beyond the "Remparts" and has an active group of "commercants" who provide for the day to day needs of Sabletains and the residents of the neighboring village of Seguret as well as the many vintners in the area. It has two (wonderful) Boulangeries, one (very helpful) butcher, two grocery stores, a florist (friendly and delightful lady), a drug store, a small Medical Center with resident Doctors and Dentists for emergencies, a tabac/gift store, a bank (with ATM), a "press" (where one can buy the local and Parisian daily newspapers, along with the International Herald Tribune). There is a cafe (where they make the best cafe au lait in the world!) and two restaurants and Pizza "to go" in the main square, while a short walk along the "Route de Vaison" takes you to Les Abeilles an excellent restaurant in a beautiful setting where huge plane trees shade the terrace and the seasonal menu never disappoints. In the village square, the "Bureau du Tourisme" not only has great information about the village, but also the surrounding area as well as samples from all the wineries in Sablet, available for tasting. Every Thursday morning, the village has a small fresh fish market in the square. The major "fete" each year is the book fair or "Journee du Livre" which is held in July. Well known authors from all over France and literary enthusiasts come to the village for this two day event - celebrated in the center of the village with the festivities spreading to many of the wineries where special events are held including music and entertainment. Various other events such as an Antiques Markets, art expositions and a Boules tournament also take place during the summer months. While off the beaten path, Sablet is located within very close proximity to the larger towns of Vaison la Romaine to the north, Carpentras to the south and
.....situated in the heart of the Cote du Rhone wine producing region, this relaxed, charming, fortified village is rich in history, gastronomy, leisure and cultural activities. It is, as yet, a largely undiscovered treasure, which lies at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail but allows one access to every part of Provence
The oldest part of the village "inside the walls" (the remparts), is made up of narrow streets or 'ruelles", built in a circular fashion around the beehive shaped hill, which afforded inhabitants protection against numerous invaders over many centuries. The picturesque "village houses" are huddled together and provide a glimpse into the lives of Sablet's inhabitants - over hundreds of years - as they went about their daily lives doing their washing at one of the numerous fountains in the village, climbing the "Escaliers de l' Eglise" to the 12th Century church of St. Nazaire or visiting the shoemaker on the "Rue du Cordonnier"
To take a tour of Sablet, please click on an any of the pictures to enlarge.
