When you enter the cellars of the Palais Saint Firmin, you may catch a glimpse of different architectural layers that bear witness to History. Most of these cellars have been built up and fitted out over five to six centuries until the end of the XVIth century but precise dating is difficult except for the typical Romanesque parts.
A very large olive oil mill, housed in this underground place has probably worked until the Revolution. Of course,these troglodytic facilities have offered refuge in many places in Gordes throughout History.
In the XVIth century during the Wars of Religion, the town was spared and some people found shelter in the cellars.
During the Revolution, François Marie de Gaudin de Lancier, was warned at the last minute of the arrival of armed men and could leave his house thanks to this underground network. More recently, in some underground networks,the clearing of certain levels, testifies to their use by the Resistance.
From 1960 until 2000, 40 years of earth moving have been necessary in order to open the site to the public and to discover its past activity.