Cucuron
The town dates back to 1004 associated with the Benedictine abbey of St Pierre de Psalmody. It is now best known for its basin tht was built in 1403. The Basin de l’Étang, a pool of water in the main square, lined with 200-year old plane trees. If there Tuesday mornings, the square around the basin is the location of the weekly market.
Like so many medieval towns, the core of the old village, the castrum, has houses and streets that lead up to a castle. Only the castle dungeon remains. The town is perched on two hills. The old town is relatively small. You can cover it in under a half-an-hour. Enter the old town through one of gates.
In the 14th Century there were over a thousand residents of the town and by the 18th Century there were almost 3,000.
Colourful buildings along the basin.
The basin holds water from a spring. In medieval times the spring and the flow of the water powered mills.
The town centre is scenic.
One of the gates through the ramparts that leads to the old historic centre of town.
The Porte du Revelin, 1541, has a clock tower and was the main entrance to the town.
An enjoyable evening at a cafe along the Basin.