Gordes Town Hall: contact details and opening hours

The town hall is located in the heart of the village, on the famous Place du Château.

📍 Address: 1 Place du Château, 84220 Gordes

-Telephone: 04 90 72 02 08

-Fax: 04 90 72 04 39

-General email: secretariat@gordes-village.com

-Official website: www.gordes-village.com

Opening hours:

→ Monday: 9.00 am – 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm

→ Tuesday: 8.00 am – 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm

→ Wednesday: 8.00 am – 12.00 pm (closed in the afternoon)

→ Thursday: 8.00 am – 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm

→ Friday: 8.00 am – 12.00 pm (closed in the afternoon)

→ Saturday: 9.00 am – 12.00 pm

Good to know: Gordes is one of the few towns in Provence to open its doors on Saturday mornings, a significant advantage for buyers who do not yet live in the area.

When it comes to a property project, these are the key contacts:

Planning Department

→ Manager: Nicole VEITH

→ Telephone: 04 90 72 98 66

→ urbanisme@gordes-village.com

→ Visits by appointment only

Civil Registry Department

→ Manager: Anne-Marie Cassar

→ Telephone: 04 90 72 98 69

→ By appointment only

Mayor

→ Richard KITAEFF

→ Email: maire@gordes-village.com

→ Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2pm to 5.30pm, by appointment

Gordes’ Local Urban Development Plan (PLU): understanding the rules before buying

Gordes has a Local Urban Development Plan (PLU) which governs all construction and renovation projects within the municipal area. This document is fundamental: it determines what you can and cannot do with a property.

The main zones of the PLU

Zone U (urban): the village and its hamlets. Construction and renovation are permitted, but subject to strict rules regarding materials, façade colours and building heights.

Zone A (agricultural): very limited building potential, reserved for agricultural use and public facilities. Many farmhouses and plots of land fall into this category.

Zone N (natural): protected areas, with virtually no building rights. A large part of the Gordes area is classified as Zone N as it forms part of the Luberon Regional Nature Park.

Zone 1AU: area designated for development, mainly located in the hamlet of Les Imberts.

Practical advice: before making any offer to purchase, ask the town planning department for the planning certificate (CU) for the plot in question. This document will tell you precisely what building rights and easements apply. It is valid for 18 months.

Easements specific to Gordes

The municipality is subject to several public utility easements that directly affect property development projects:

→ Listed site: the Sénancole Valley, in the area around Sénanque Abbey, enjoys enhanced protection.

→ Listed site: the Plan de Gordes.

→ Historic monuments: Gordes Castle and its immediate surroundings.

→ Forest Fire Risk Prevention Plan (PPRiF) for the Monts de Vaucluse massif, which takes precedence over the Local Urban Development Plan (PLU).

→ Coulon-Calavon Flood Risk Prevention Plan.

Renovating in Gordes: the rules you absolutely must know

The Architecte des Bâtiments de France (ABF)

Gordes is listed among the most beautiful villages in France. As such, and due to the presence of historic monuments, a large part of the village’s built environment falls within the Historic Monuments protection zone, which extends 500 metres around listed or registered buildings. Within this zone, any building work visible from the outside must receive prior approval from the Architecte des Bâtiments de France (ABF).

This applies in particular to:

→ The choice of façade materials (local stone and traditional render are preferred)

→ Joinery: shutters, windows, their colours and materials

→ Roofs: canal tiles are mandatory, with a regulated colour

→ Fences and gates

→ Swimming pools, subject to prior notification or planning permission depending on their size

The PNRL: additional protection

Almost the entire territory of Gordes falls within the Luberon Regional Nature Park. The PNRL has its own charter, which imposes architectural and landscape requirements on member municipalities. In practice, this reinforces the requirements regarding the integration of buildings into the landscape, the use of natural and local materials, and the limitation of the visual impact of swimming pools and ancillary structures.

When is a planning permission required?

→ New floor area of less than 20 m²: prior declaration

→ Area created between 20 and 40 m² in a U zone: prior declaration

→ Area created greater than 40 m²: planning permission

→ Any change of use of the property: planning permission

→ Uncovered swimming pool larger than 10 m²: prior declaration

→ Swimming pool larger than 100 m² or covered: planning permission

→ Facade renovation within the ABF perimeter: prior declaration with mandatory ABF approval

Key point: in heritage protection zones, processing times are longer. Allow 2 to 3 months for a prior declaration, and up to 5 months for a planning permission requiring ABF approval. Factor these delays into your project schedule.

Property tax and second homes in Gordes

Gordes is a municipality subject to the second home tax. The rate set locally by the municipal council may be increased for second homes in municipalities with a strong tourist focus, which is the case for Gordes. Contact the Cavaillon Public Finance Centre, which covers Gordes, to obtain a personalised estimate before purchasing.

How do you check whether a plot of land or a property is suitable for building?

Here are the key steps, in order:

→ Check the online land registry at cadastre.gouv.fr to identify the plot and its section.

→ Request the operational planning certificate (CUb) from Gordes Town Hall: this specifies whether your project is feasible on the plot, any existing easements, applicable taxes and processing times.

→ Make an appointment with the town planning department (Nicole VEITH, 04 90 72 98 66) to discuss your project in advance

→ Consult the ABF if your property is located in a heritage protection zone. Your architect can handle this on your behalf.

What we do for you at Agence Les Écrins

At Agence Les Écrins, we incorporate regulatory considerations into our support. Before presenting a property to you, we check the plot’s PLU zoning, any easements (ABF, PNRL, natural hazards), existing building rights and the status of any pending planning applications.

Our knowledge of the local area and environment enables us to help you avoid unpleasant surprises, save time and turn every project into a lasting success!

→ Marie BEAUCOURT - Estate Agent

→ Telephone: +33 6 52 98 85 17

→ Email: contact@agencelesecrins.com