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Vaucluse - Rural heritage, France

Vaucluse Tourism

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BUILT IN STONE
Much land had to be cleared of stones to be able to
farm in Vaucluse. Where did all the stones go? The
ingenious local farmers put the stones to use in
building stone huts knows as bories, and other
local architectural works such as “aiguiers”
(water collectors) and “calades” or pavements. An
art form born of putting unwanted stones to work
in other ways!
Scattered throughout the countryside, small stone
buildings with rounded roofs, built entire of dry
stone, without the use of mortar – these are the
bories. Shepherds and farmers used them to store
implements. The Luberon Park has inventoried
1610 bories around the towns of Gordes and
Bonnieux, on the Clarapèdes plateau, in the
Viens – Forcalquier sector. Two of the oldest date
from 1643 (the builder often inscribed the date
above the door).
Some bories have carved stones for channeling
water, called “aiguier”. This word comes from
the Provencal word for water – Aigo. The
Ayguier (or aiguier) is a reservoir of water carved
into the rock. It gathers the rain water and
channels it for use by man and livestock.
Another feature of the Provencal landscape is the
“restanque” (or “bancau” in Provencal) which are
terraced fields built into the hillside and retained
by drystone walls. These restanques were and
sometimes still are used to grow crops.
In Provence, the “calado” means the small stone
used to pave the “calade” or paved paths which
use rounded stones often found in rivers. These
calades can also be seen in interior courtyards of
old homes.

LUBERON
Borie Village in Gordes
The Borie village, restored between 1969 and 1976
stands just as it did when the last inhabitants
abandoned it some 150 years ago. To reach the borie
village from the village of Gordes, there is a free
shuttle bus, except on Saturday afternoon, Sundays
and holidays. Reserve at the Town Hall.
Entrance fee.
Les Savournins
T. 33 (0)4 90 72 03 48 - F. 33 (0)4 90 72 04 39

CAVAILLON
Saint Julien Canal Discovery Circuit
The Durance rivers and the canals – a guided circuit
in minivan, reservations required, limited number of
places. This circuit tells the story of the oldest canal in
Provence, the Saint Julien canal. Reference is made to
the canal as far back as 1171, which helps understand
the development of farming in this region. The visit
includes the last electricity-producing plant on the
canal, the pumping station and the La Canau
aqueduct, built around 1530. Every Thursday from 9
to 12:30 mid-June to September. Starts from the
Cavaillon Tourism Office.
Place François Tourel - BP 176
T. 33 (0)4 90 71 32 01 - F. 33 (0)4 90 71 42 99
O.T.CAVAILLON@wanadoo.fr

THE SORGUES AREA
The Plague Wall in Lagnes / Cabrières d’Avignon
This drystone wall stretches 25 km across the Monts de
Vaucluse. It was built in 1721 to protect the Comtat
Venaissin from the epidemic of plague which started in
1720 in Marseille. The wall was built in 5 months and
was guarded by a thousand soldiers, posted there to
keep out anyone who tried to flee the plague and enter
the Comtat Venaissin. But the plague entered the city of
Avignon via the Rhone river and ravaged the entire
region. The “Pierre Sèche en Vaucluse” association has
tackled the job of restoring this historical wall, and now
you can walk practically the entire length. Document
and hiking map available from the Fontaine de
Vaucluse Tourism Office.
T. 33 (0)4 90 20 32 22 - F. 33 (0)4 90 20 21 37
officetourisme.vaucluse@wanadoo.fr

ROUTE TO THE FOUNTAINS AND WASHING
WELLS IN THE SORGUES AND MONTS DE
VAUCLUSE AREA
1 - L’Isle sur la Sorgue: many old washing wells
along the canals of the Sorgue river, on Quai Jean
Jaurès, Bassin de Bouïgas, Esplanade Robert Vasse,
Quais de la Charité, Lices Berthelot, le Portalet,
Avenue Fabre de Sérignan There are also ten water
wheels which continue to churn and supply power.
2 - Saumane: at the entrance to the village, at the
base of the castle, is a lovely covered fountain flowing
with crystal clear water.
3 - Fontaine de Vaucluse: after visiting the famous
swallow-hole, see the splendid fountain on Place de
la Colonne.
4 - Le Thor: lovely fountain on the Place du 11
Novembre.
5 - Châteauneuf de Gadagne: washing well and
fountain at the base of the village, magnificent
covered fountain near the Renault garage. Walk
along the ramparts and the narrow streets to the
village square to see the fountain and the washing
well in the upper village..

MONT VENTOUX
Village of Pernes les Fontaines
There are 40 fountains (most dating from the 18th
century) in the village. La Grand Font is 4 meters
tall. The Cormoran fountain is named after the
cormorant which adorns it. Legend has it that those
who drank the water from the “Fontaine de la
Lune” (Moon Fountain) became lunatic. Also see the
fountain de l’Hospice and the Gigot fountain (so
called because it looks like a leg of lamb) and the
opulent Dolphin fountain, and the Villeneuve
fountain near a fortified entrance.

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