Crestet, a village perched on the edge of the Dentelles de Montmirail

Our village of Sablet sits at the base of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Covered with oak, pine and vineyards, the Dentelles are foothills of Mont Ventoux. Reaching an altitude of 734m/2409ft, they owe their name (dentelle means lace) to the appearance of the peaks.

One of the things we do with visitors and in our opinion the best way to see the Dentelles de Montmirail is drive all the way around. The trip from Sablet around the Dentelles and back to Sablet is about 60km/37 miles.

Along the way around the Dentelles, we pass a number of towns and villages that are worth visiting for the beauty and charm of the village, fabulous views or wonderful wines that are produced there.

One of the villages we pass as we make the circle around the Dentelles is Crestet. It is tiny, not well known, and perched on a crest at the edge of the Dentelles de Montmirail, visible from far away, facing Mont Ventoux.

We have driven the narrow winding road, in some places it seems more like a path, up to the medieval castle sitting atop Crestet quite a few times to see the spectacular view towards Mont Ventoux.

The castle is one of the oldest castles in Provence. It was renovated and enlarged in the 14th century and for a while the bishops of Vaison la Romaine resided there. What remained of the castle was restored in 1984. It is now privately owned and not open to the public.

As I said, we have been up the castle quite a few times but we never explored the village which can only be done on foot. So when I was there with friends Steven and Susan a few weeks ago, we decided to walk down into Crestet.

It was a beautiful day in April, sunshine, warm, blue sky and trees were in full bloom. The paths of the village are made of cobble stones.

As I said, the village is tiny, with only 479 inhabitants. The residents of Crestet are called Crestelains (males) and Crestelaines (females).

Friends Susan and Steven in front of one of the many stone structures seen throughout Crestet.

A statue along the path.

Another tree in bloom against the backdrop of the blue Provençal sky.

Saint-Sauveur et Saint-Sixte church with its bell tower and clock. Built in the 11th century, it was restored in 1844.

A fountain from the 16th century.

The interior of Saint-Sauveur et Saint-Sixte church.

In between the stone houses, you will see magnificent views over the valley.

One of the stone houses we came upon; Crestet is truly a stone village.

Stone house and stone wall.

Monument with its cross and a stone house and beautiful blue sky as backdrop.

Stone house, sun dial and blue sky; what's not to love.

The steeple of Saint-Sauveur et Saint-Sixte church with view out to the valley.

Crestet is definitely worth visiting. Drive up to the castle and park in the lot there. There is an orientation table which will help you identify the different peaks and villages you can see.

There is almost no commercial activity in the village; a restaurant at the top which we have never tried and poterie de crestet, a pottery maker at the entrance to the village.

Bonne journée et à bientot.