Fontaine de Vaucluse | approx 15 min from L’Isle sur la Sorgues

Office de Tourisme: Chemin de la Fontaine, 84800 Fontaine de Vaucluse | 04 90 20 32 22 | 

Open Year-Round, Tues – Sat: 9h30 - 12h30 & 13h30 - 17h30

​

With crystal clear water flowing through the city and great restaurants overlooking the water, Fontaine de Vaucluse is a visitor favourite.  As you stroll through the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse you’ll discover the ruins of the Château of the Bishops of Cavaillon, dating back to the 14th century, as well as the church, Saint Véran, housing the tomb of Saint Véran.  Its Provençal Romanesque architecture dates to the 11th century, when the church was built atop a pagan temple.  Other highlights include the Petrarch library-museum, “The Call of Freedom” history museum (focusing on 1938-45), craft and art studios, and a historical working paper mill.    Some might find the area a bit ‘touristy’, but it won’t take you long to understand why the area is geared toward visitors – it’s too beautiful to keep quiet!  Looking to get active and explore?  Rent a kayak or hike up into the rocks.  Prefer the relaxed way or life?  Enjoy restaurants and waterfront terraces and spend a lovely afternoon basking in the sun.  Even those wanting a more cultural experience will be happy – there are museums here that enlighten guests on regional history.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

Not far from the town centre you’ll find the exceptional natural attraction known as Vallis Clausa, the ‘closed valley’.   At the end of a deep canyon lush with greenery and gushing water, at the base of a sheer cliff sculpted by erosion, this is where the Sorgue de Vaucluse mysteriously takes its source.  Stemming from an immense underground network of waters, its average flow of 630 million m3 per year makes it the biggest in France and one of the biggest worldwide. The river is cool and peaceful in the summer, surging and impetuous in spring and fall. The Fontaine de Vaucluse, a true whim of nature, continues to challenge researchers and curious minds, as it has since its original discovery. 

 

​​