The Hopice and its walls are a spectacular piece of architecture especially with their natural back drop of greenery from the mountains of the Dentelles de Montmirail punctuated by terraces of vines. They offer us with their walls an exceptional panoramic view of the Rhône Valley plain and the vineyards of Gigondas.
The Gigondas Castle and its ramparts were built around the13th to14th century. They were originally used to care for the poor and sick, although most of the time the hospices were used to distribute food and help to those fallen on hard times.
From 1678, Father Albert from the Order of Minimes, established the Confrerie of Saint Calvaire and of Saint Sépulcre on the ground floor of the castle. This place became famous for pilgrimages throughout the whole region of Dauphiné.
Later at the beginning of the 19th century, the beams and tiles of the building were sold to build the large stone public washing basin in the village. The remains henceforth fell into ruin and oblivion….
In 1984, the Town Hall decided to save the site and founded the Association « Gigondas Hier et Aujourd’hui » (Gigondas Yesterday and Today). The Association became responsible for the organisation of voluntary workers to help with the restoration work.
The rehabilitation of this medieval village, which can be visited throughout the year, is now restored to its former glory with the opening of a permanent but changing sculpture exhibition in 1994. The « Chemin des Sculptures » shows semi-monumental sculptures and installations of artists from France and abroad.
From 1997 and simultaneously with the annual organisation of the « Cheminement de sculptures », the villagers continued their actions by opening new sites to young volunteers. The archaeological digs were programmed on the highest part of the village where there were still some ruins to be discovered. The first work revealed the remains of a defence post with a circular tower. But it was difficult to affirm whether it was the ruins from an older castle or a look out post (fortin) built in a very strategic position.
Over the last few years, there have been further discoveries: 3 grain silos and a basin as well as 2 lead buckets dating from Raymond IV and Bertrand IV of the Baux, Orange Princes. These discoveries have enabled the original building to be dated more exactly in the 12th or 13th century.
In 2005 work started to build a public pathway to link the « history of the site, the vines and wines in ancient times ». The resulting pathway scattered with botanical marvels, wild vines, ancient varietals and aromas of the Mediterranean allows visitors to climb comfortably to the summit and fully appreciate the size of the original tower and its buildings.
The Theatre de Verdure, (Outside Theatre) is a high terrace nesting in the heart of the ramparts and at the top of the Hospice that opens onto its well equipped rooms. It offers an atypical view of the Church and the former look-out point. A unique and enchanting location which is used to accommodate numerous musical and tasting events, for example the « Les Soirées Lyriques » and «Découvertes en Vallée du Rhône ».
