L'Isle sur la Sorgue

The charming Venice of the Comtat

Bubbling up from the nearby chasm of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, the River Sorgue's cool emerald green waters meander through L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The mossy impellers, vestiges of the textile industry that brought prosperity to the city, still line the canals. Here, too, you can see the traditional flat-bottomed boats (Nègo Chin), so typical of this place, and which were used by the fishermen in bygone days.

The bargain-hunters' paradise

With some 300 antique dealers clustered in various sites (such as the Ile aux Brocantes and the Village des Antiquaires de la Gare), L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue attracts bargain-hunters from all over the world looking for rare pieces or original trinkets. The big Easter and summer fairs (the latter, previously held on 15 August, has been moved back to autumn since 2021) bring together more than 500 exhibitors and attract thousands of visitors who pack the docks and the shops.

A vibrant cultural heritage: the markets of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

On Thursday and Sunday mornings, the crowds flock into the streets of the city, where a traditional and colourful Provençal market takes place. Tasty early fruits, cheeses and regional wines are just some of the products on offer at the traders' stalls. On the first Sunday of August, part of the market 'moves' on to the water: fruits, vegetables, lavender and soap are loaded on to the 'Nègo Chin' typical flat-bottomed fishermen's boats and the traders sell their wares dressed up in traditional costumes. Don't miss it!

With so many antique and bric-a-brac dealers, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue fairly buzzes with life on Sundays and market days, making it a hugely popular place to visit both for residents of the region and for tourists.