The Wheel Route

The 'Rue des Roues' in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is one of the highlights of the Sorgues' industrial past.

Use the town map with the water wheels ('Roues à Aubes') marked on it. Start your walk next to the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dames-des-Anges, taking Rue Danton to the end, until you arrive opposite Rue du Docteur Roux.

Turn left into Rue Théophile Jean, nicknamed 'Rue des Roues' ('Wheel Street'). When you get to the end, follow Quai Lices Berthelot and continue along Chemin Pierre et Marie Curie, Quai Clovis Hugues and Rue du Docteur Tallet, bringing you back into the town.

In Place de la Liberté, keep to the left of the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dames-des-Anges, go all the way to the end of Rue de la République and turn left onto Quai Jean Jaurès.

When you reach Rue Roumanille, take the pretty walkway to the spot where you can see a carved stone ear on the bed of the Sorgue. Continue on through the Caisse d'Epargne public garden.

Turn right at the end, into Avenue des Quatre Otages, and go along Quai Rouget de Lisle. This route lets you see most of the water wheels in the 'Venice of the Comtat'.

The Canal de l'Arquet is the only arm of the Sorgue that truly crosses the town centre. In the past, as you walked along this canal, you could have counted up to 17 wheels, and another 14 in Rue Théophile Jean. Most of the wheels served the silk and wool factories.

Today, only 14 of them remain. If you would like to learn a little more about the history of these witnesses to our town's industrial heritage and past, just pop into one of our Tourist Offices, where the staff will be happy to give you a copy of our leaflet.
Of course, this itinerary is merely a suggestion. You are more than welcome to explore and discover the water wheels as you wish.