Gigondas is one of the six communes which formed the Principality of Orange for almost eight centuries

Previously attached, for administrative reasons, to Carpentras, Gigondas has over the years lost contact with its historical capital Orange., However, parts of the ramparts around the village and the restored castle, the Prince William of Orange’s cornet on the Gigondas coat of arms ; as well as are some old documents are proof of its former origins.
But Gigondas’ history began even before the Middle Ages…

Unaccountable coins, pieces of pottery and « tegulae » discovered on the commune, but also a collection of headstones and columns confirm the presence of Roman civilisation. Older still is the prehistoric site dating from neolithic times and recently discovered in the vines of Saint André.

In the 10th century, Orange and Gigondas were part of the marquisate of Provence. In the acts the « Château of Gigondas » is named as the large tower built on the southerly point of the actual village. Today only a pile of stones remains, being that of part of a stairwell and one floor level because the original castle was destroyed under Louis XIVth.

From the 12th century, Gigondas belonged to the Princes of Orange and was under their control until 1731, the year in which the Principality was attached to France.

It is still possible to visualise this impressive historical past in the village today via the medieval ramparts, the hospices.

The religious history of Gigondas is also worth noting ; six chapels or churches existed at the same time during the 16th century. Today there is still a Parish church and the magnificent remains of the Roman chapel of Saints Côme and Damien as well as the Chapel of Nôtre Dame des Pallières. There was also the Notre Dame de Prébayon monastery built in the 7th century and owned by nuns until the year 962.