Flowing canals encircle the ancient and prosperous town of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, famous for its antique market – the largest outside of Paris. Every Sunday this extensive display of antiques and bric-a-brac attracts buyers from all over the world. It gets very busy, especially in summer, so go early to secure parking.
Stalls scattered throughout the village sell everything from local produce to typical Provence-style wares – bright tablecloths, candles, soaps etc. Have lunch at a restaurant alongside the flowing river in the heart of this truly lovely village. Look out for the pretty old waterwheels scattered around town, some of which still turn.
Travel the short distance to beautiful Fontaine de Vaucluse, a medieval village tucked in a valley of the Plateau de Vaucluse. This ancient town at the base of high rocky cliffs features a deep pool of seemingly still water that is actually a fully-fledged river. In the rainy season the spring produces water at an amazing 200 cubic meters per second, making it one of the most powerful resurgent springs in the world. As recently as 1985, a small robot submarine went to a depth of 315m but could not locate the bottom.
