Tourist in Vacqueyras

A plan of the village (to the right) shows the old town, which in the former Middle Ages has been fortified to some extent. There are only a few residues of fortress walls which you as a tourist do not immediately notice.
At the highest point of the village lies Èglise Saint Barthély and at the same place is the very much restored remains of Chateau Vacqeyras residens for lords of the village through the Middle Ages among others the noble family Vassadel, the lords from 1348 to the late 1600s. Today, here is what a common tourist might consider as an exceptionally large fine restored residential property with a corner tower. The papacy or bishops have never been the souverains.
In 1210, a peace settlement took place among two of the "great powers of the time" in the area Comte Raymond de Toulouse, Marquis de Provence and Guillaume des Baux, Prince d'Orange. The treaty concluded that the Prince of Orange should abandon Vacqueyras to Marquis de Provence - in turn of another village (Mornas)

One of the village's famous sons was a troubadour, Rimbaut de Vacqueyras (1180-1207 Indicative). In 1899 a bust of him was raised in Vacqueyras during the presence (and perhaps on the initiative) of the advocate of a new era of lyricism in the Provençal language Frédéric Mistral (1830-1914)

On normal days Vacqueyras is a quiet village. Tourists may leave D7 300m from the center of the village to have a pause, maybe have a lunch at Café du Cours, maybe visit wine growers or just buy wines at Caveau du Vacqueras situated opposite the café.
For two days a year 13-14 July the village are full of people when Fete des Vins take place. Most photos below is from this event in 2015, 2016 or 2018.

Note: Above nord/south. Below east/west

On 13 July at 9.00 Petit déjuener vigneron gratuit servi sur le cours Stassard. Right Henri Bungener, Domaine le Clos de Caveau

On 14 July at 9.00 Cours Stassard looks different. An army of servants make the seats ready for le grand repas gastronomique du 14 julliet,
in the programme also mentioned as L'Inconturnable Repas Champêtre "Unmistakable Country Meal". Off course there will also be music (pop/rock). 2018: 52€.
Around 12.00 normally later the participants find there seats. For both photos the fotographer could turn around for other photos from the rest of the street.

The portal at Cours Stassard to the old part of the village is the meeting point where people meet around 10 at the first day for the official opening ceromoni.
From the left Frédéric Gondran, festival manager, Philippe Bouteiller, Chateau Haut Montmirail, Marie-Therése Combe, Domaine la Fourmone, Philippe Bernard,
Domaine la Ligière. To the right by the portal you buy your tasting glass and maybe other merchandices.

In 2016 the place by the church/castle was used for blessing of a vineplant, dancing gruop and musical entertainment. Note the second port of the village.
In 2017 another place were used for this (Photo to the left below)

Usually many representetives from Confrérie des Maistres vignerons de Vacqueyras et compagnons du troubadour Raimbaut and La Confrérie du Herve.
The latter are from Herve in Belgium which is the jumelage of Vacqueras. The belgian brothers (brown/blue) are cheese producers - AOP Le Fromage de Herve.

Left: Chateau Vacqueyras - what's left today and Èglise Saint Barthély