JOUCAS, village of Luberon facing Roussillon, between Gordes and Lioux

Joucas is a charming little village in the Luberon area, on the south side of the Vaucluse mountains.

Opposite to the village, to the south, one can observe the red hills of Roussillon, with the Luberon in the background! North of the town, there is the village of Murs, another small village in the Vaucluse mountains, and Lioux and Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt to the east. Finally, to the west, the town of Gordes and its famous village at the top of the golden triangle of the Luberon.

Joucas trace is found in the history from 1071. We call it then Jocadae or Jocadium.

Like many places in the area, it becomes a stronghold of the nobility family of Provence of Agoult, but at the end of the twelfth century, they yield the village to the Knight Templars of St. John of Jerusalem. These Knight Templars will install the 'commanderie' that will help them to manage the different Knight Templar farms scattered across the valley and up to the Luberon. It was built on the site where it can be seen today, at the top of the village, but largely destroyed (though some remains are still visible), the current 'commanderie' dates from the seventeenth century.

Joucas is deserted afterwards, but many 'Vaudois' will then come and settle there. These will be taken later in the religious wars that have shaken the industry and led to the massacre of the 'Vaudois'.

Today, artists and craftsmen are present in town, the village has also become a perpetual artistic area with outdoor exhibition of some works, like the village of Lacoste, nestled on the Luberon mountain between Ménerbes and Bonnieux, on the other side of the valley!

Rosier agency, who recommand visiting the village Joucas, has sold numerous houses to include the 'commanderie'. It is a village with nice architecture that offers both prestige properties and modest prices. The cobbled alleys, fountains, squares, etc. are charming elements that the people visiting Joucas know how to recognize !