Bonnieux

French commune
nomcommune=Bonnieux
Church of Bonnieux
région=Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
département=Vaucluse
arrondissement=Apt
canton=Bonnieux
insee=84020
cp=84480
maire=Roger Fenelon
mandat=2001-2008
intercomm=
longitude=5.3075
latitude=43.8238888889
alt moy=420 m
alt mini=153 m
alt maxi=715 m
hectares=5,112
km²=51.12
sans=1,417
date-sans=1999
dens=27
date-dens=1999

Bonnieux is a commune of the Vaucluse "département" in southern France.

Geography

Bonnieux is one of the many historic "hill villages" in the region. Dating back to Roman times, it rests on top of the Luberon hills casting a watchful gaze across the rest of the valley. Next to the village is a Cedar forest that began with trees imported from North Africa during the Napoleonic era. It sits opposite Mont Ventoux, other notable villages in the area include Ménerbes, Lacoste, Rousillon and Gordes.

History

The region has been occupied since neolithic times, with evidence scattered throughout the Luberon. Monuments dating from Roman times exist near the village including the Pont Julien built in 3 BC located only 3 miles to the north. A monastery was first built at that location in the 6th century, and walls were in place by the 10th century. The town reached a maximum population in the mid 19th century, with 2804 people in 1841. It has since declined to less than half its peak with 1363 in 2004.

External links

* [http://www.luberonexperience.com/photos/bonnieux/index.htm Photos of Bonnieux]