Saint Jean de Buèges Village

St. Jean de Buèges is a charming and tranquil medieval village nestled in the verdant Buèges valley. Framed beneath a steep rock, the village consists of high-stacked, stone houses, small shady squares and zigzagging lanes. The village square is a perfect place to take a siesta, sitting beneath the immense, old plane trees that offer a welcome respite from the hot Languedoc sun.

Along with the majority of the villages in this region, St. Jean de Buèges was formerly a centre for breeding silkworms, as the magnificent old magnagneries and spinning mills can testify. Following the fall of the European silk industry, the population fell to between 50 and 80 inhabitants. Today, the population has increased to more than 200. It is an area rich in wine production, creating some of the best wines of the region.

The most notable building is the impressive 12th century castle that sits above the village. It was built during the 12th century as a small garrison used by soldiers guarding the valley. There is a rich history to be discovered here and in recent years the castle has been carefully restored. For the more active, the climb up to the castle is spectacular and worthwhile, offering superb views down onto the village and across to the chain of rugged hills of the Seranne. This is an unforgettable and spectacular landscape.