ancient ruins
Théâtre Antique d'Orange
The best-preserved Roman theatre in Europe, its towering stage wall still hosting performances after 2,000 years.
9 km · about 15 min drive
EuropeFranceProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France · Europe
About Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape works well as a base: 10 minutes from Roquemaure, 9km from Théâtre Antique d'Orange.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, with about 2,200 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Roquemaure, about 4 km away.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape (French pronunciation: [ʃɑtonœf dy pap] ; Provençal Occitan: Castèunòu de Papa) is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. The village lies about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) to the east of the Rhône (which marks the departmental border withRead more
Gard) and 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) north of the city of Avignon. As of 2023 the commune had a population of 2,050. In old French, its name translates into "new castle of the Pope" or "Pope's new castle".
A ruined medieval castle sits above the village and dominates the landscape to the south. It was built in the 14th century for Pope John XXII, the second of the popes to reside in Avignon. None of the subsequent Avignon popes stayed in Châteauneuf but after the schism of 1378 the antipope Clement VII sought the security of the castle. With the departure of the popes the castle passed to the archbishop of Avignon, but it was too large and too expensive to maintain and was used as a source of stone for building work in the village. At the time of the Revolution the buildings were sold off and only the donjon was preserved. During the Second World War an attempt was made to demolish the donjon with dynamite by German soldiers but only the northern half was destroyed; the southern half remained intact.
Almost all the cultivable land is planted with grapevines. The commune is famous for the production of red wine classified as Châteauneuf-du-Pape Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) which is produced from grapes grown in the commune of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and in portions of four adjoining communes.
Where to Stay in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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Explore the Area
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
Within an hour or so of Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Théâtre Antique d'Orange (9 km), Palais des Papes (12 km), Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon) (12 km), Pont du Gard (27 km).
Are there any good drives near Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
The nearest famous roads are Gorges de la Nesque Road, Combe Laval Balcony Road and Route des Crêtes (Cassis).
Where is Châteauneuf-du-Pape?
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, about 4 km from Roquemaure.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 2,212
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- France
- Region
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Timezone
- Europe/Paris
- Coordinates
- 44.0564, 4.8324
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in France
Carrying a warning triangle and hi-vis vest in your vehicle is mandatory. Motorway emergency phones connect to official breakdown services only.
Full driving guide for FranceTags
Worth the detour from Châteauneuf-du-Pape
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Palais des Papes
The largest Gothic palace in the world, serving as the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century.
12 km · about 20 min drive
bridge
Pont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon)
The famous half-bridge of the children's song, jutting into the Rhône beneath Avignon's papal ramparts.
12 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Pont du Gard
Remarkably preserved three-tiered Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century AD in southern France.
27 km · about 30 min drive
waterfall
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
France's most powerful spring gushes from the foot of a cliff into an impossibly green pool.
28 km · about 30 min drive
racetrack
Circuit de Ledenon
Twisting, roller-coaster circuit in the sun-baked hills near Nimes, famed as France's most technical track; a favourite of motorcyclists and track-day drivers, and one of few French circuits run anti-clockwise.
30 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Abbaye de Sénanque
A serene 12th-century Cistercian abbey framed by its own postcard rows of summer lavender.
32 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Gordes
A stunning hilltop village of white stone houses perched dramatically above the Luberon valley.
34 km · about 40 min drive
Driving roads near Châteauneuf-du-Pape
9 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- Right herePont Saint-Bénézet (Pont d'Avignon)The famous half-bridge of the children's song, jutting into the Rhône beneath Avignon's papal ramparts.
- 37 kmGorges de la Nesque RoadA serene Provençal balcony drive (D942) winding above a 400 m-deep limestone canyon near Mont Ventoux, with the Belvédère de Castellaras as its showpiece viewpoint.
- 38 kmMont Ventoux Summit ViewpointThe 'Beast of Provence' at 1,912 metres, a barren lunar summit offering views from the Alps to the Mediterranean on clear days.
- 46 kmPlateau de Sault Lavender FieldsEndless rows of purple lavender perfume the high Vaucluse plateau every summer beneath Mont Ventoux.
Driving in France
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.85/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€10.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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