Provence: L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Unlike the neighboring hilltop villages of the Luberon, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is criss-crossed by waterways instead of the panoramic views of it’s neighbors. L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (Island on the Sorgue) clearly got its name from being an island in the middle of the Sorgue River which meanders its way here from its source at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. With its many canals and streams, it enjoys the nickname of “Venice of Provence.”
It is probably best known for its antiques and especially it’s antique market on Sundays which is legendary and one of the most popular in all of France in terms of visitor numbers. It’s a magnet for antiques hunters from all over the world who come hunting for treasures. Over 300 vendors sell everything from local Provençal ceramics and pottery to local fruits and vegetable to bread and every other Provence food stuff you can think of as well as “antiques” of course.
This small town was originally a fishing village until the arrival of industry. The many water wheels in the town drove the textile and paper industries. The Sorgue River and its tributaries once powered 66 water wheels in the region, today only 15 remain in the village.
Right in the middle of the old town is the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame des Anges erected as a collegiate church in 1212 though it wasn’t consecrated until 1222 by the Bishop of Cavaillon. It was classified as a historic monument in 1911. It is a particularly lovely Baroque style of southern France, very beautiful, and I thought it well worth exploring.
Like all the towns I’ve been enjoying in Provence, the best way to experience the charm and ambiance of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is just to wander around aimlessly enjoying the canals, cobbled streets, shops, café’s, and water wheels.
