Due to the abundance of water, the towns of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and l’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue are amongst the most refreshing places to visit in Provence. While the former has managed steadfastly to preserve the secret of its mysterious spring, the latter offers its canals and paddle wheels to all-comers. And whatever will be will be...

Look at all this water! That’s the often astonished remark made by tourists when they see these two pearls of the Vaucluse situated east of Avignon, less than ten kilometres apart. The River Sorgue is the guiding light in all this. From the depths of the Vaucluse plateau, it gushes out without warning at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.

And this spring has always been a place of fascination. Of indeterminate depth - the last measured record was 308 metres -, it is occasionally transformed into a boiling tumult, overflowing from its basin and hurtling off down the village’s main street. Also tumultuous were the thoughts of Petrarch. The famous 14th Century Italian poet settled in the village and forever exalted the platonic love he shared with Laure de Noves, whom he met while visiting the City of the Popes. The village has a museum in his honour.

The atmosphere at L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is less agitated. There are no great monuments to see, but there’s an atmosphere of “Little Venice” about the place that is very pleasant in the summer heat. The Sorgue flows through in delightful canals, a few paddle wheels remind us of the former weaving industry and the café-boutiques will fascinate bargain hunters.

In fact L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue takes great pride in its role as capital of the second-hand trade. Apart from the many antique shops, Provence’s largest fair is held there twice a year (Easter weekend and 15 August), with nearly 2,000 exhibitors and many, many treasures: the ideal moment for... throwing yourself in at the deep end!