Visit Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Provence
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is a small town in a picturesque setting east of Gordes in the Vaucluse department of Provence, best known for being at the source of the river Sorgue.
The town was originally developed on the site of a Roman settlement, and prior to that the area had been inhabited since prehistoric times. It now has a resident population of about 600, but a summertime population rather higher...
Exploring Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
At Fontaine de Vaucluse you can see the source of the River Sorgue - starting with a calm tranquil pool, that gives rise from its depths to an enormous amount of water (an average of 22 cubic metres each second) that soon goes crashing off down some rapids.
This is especially dramatic in spring when melting snow high above the village gives rise to an enormous amount of water. Fascinating, I promise!
Even in autumn when the river is much lower and the source much calmer the river valley remains green and verdant, and very pretty indeed. The Sorgue River source is a couple of hundred metres up the river valley from the village, especially impressive because of the high cliffs that tower over the valley.
The town have done little to improve the charm of the valley by allowing lots of cheap gift shop type cabins to set up all along the valley, but happily the beauty of the scenery - especially the last 50-100 metres in the section passed the stalls - outweighs the harm they have done. So highly recommended for a visit anyway.
But there is more to Fontaine de Vaucluse than this water source, and the village is an attractive medieval village surrounded by the dramatic high cliffs of the Vaucluse - this setting plus the emerald green river help to explain why this is one of the most visited villages in Provence.
The paper mill in the village is also interesting, demonstrating paper production techniques from the Middle Ages, and there are a large assortment of museums - we found the 'geology' museum and 'local history' museum quite interesting.
Attractions nearby
Most visitors to the region will want to explore some of the popular villages, several of which are classified among the most beautiful villages in France (Gordes, Venasque, Menerbes, Roussillon). See these and other local highlights at places to visit in Luberon.
See Provence-Alpes-Cote-d'Azur and Vaucluse (the region and department for Fontaine-de-Vaucluse) for more travel ideas...
Photos of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
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Suggested places to visit near Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, France
Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.
Gordes 6km
Le Beaucet 7km
Venasque 9km
Oppede-le-Vieux 9km
More suggestions: Pernes-les-Fontaines 10km; Menerbes 12km; Roussillon 14km; Lacoste 15km; Carpentras 16km; Bonnieux 18km; Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt 21km; Apt 22km; Le Barroux 24km; Avignon 26km; Lourmarin 26km;
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse tourist information: sights and attractions nearby
Collégiale Notre Dame des Anges (Sorgues) - religious monument (3km) : Abbaye de Sénanque (Gordes) - religious monument (6km) : Jarditrain - remarkable garden (10km) : Jardin de la Louve - remarkable garden (18km) : Gorges de Régalon - site of natural beauty (19km) : Gorges de la Nesque - site of natural beauty (22km) : Jardin du château de Brantes - remarkable garden (22km) : Jardin de l'Alchimiste - remarkable garden (23km) :
See more places and a map at places near Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
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