Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Village des Bories de Gordes, 1.5 km west of Gordes (Vaucluse), is a former group of dry stone huts built without mortar, mainly dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. These agricultural and seasonal buildings were restored between 1969 and 1976 by Pierre Viala, who made it an outdoor museum. Ranked a historic monument in 1977, the site illustrates Provencal rural occupation linked to the clearing of uncultivated lands, encouraged by the royal edict of 1766.

The huts, locally called "Les Cabanes" or "Haute des Savournins", were renamed "bories" in the 20th century, a Provençal term referring to farms or farmhouses. Their construction in Gordese nave (inverted hull shape) is typical of the region, using local flat stones (lause). The ceramic remains found during restorations date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, confirming their agricultural use (granges, stables, magnanies).

The site, organized in seven groups of buildings by Pierre Viala, reflects a rural community life centered on Mediterranean polyculture (cereals, olive trees, mulberry trees) and breeding. Although some cabins may have belonged to fora (inhabitants outside Gordes), their layout and layout show functional complementarity. Today, the museum exhibits tools and objects from the everyday life of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, offering an overview of Provencal agricultural history.

The absence of water recovery devices (with the exception of a water well) and the presence of remains such as almond stumps or leather soles underscore the seasonal and utilitarian nature of the site. Modern amenities (guard wall, grids) aim to preserve this heritage, while allowing the public to discover a rare example of vernacular architecture in dry stone.

The Village des Bories has been managed by the municipality of Gordes since its classification. Its opening to the public is accompanied by documentation on dry stone in the world and a garden of aromatic plants, strengthening its role of conservation and transmission of Provencal rural heritage.

External links