Isle sur la Sorgue literally means ‘island in the Sorgue’ and that’s exactly what this pretty Provencal town is. Located on an island in the middle of the fast flowing Sorgue River, you reach the heart of the town thanks to a series of bridges, some dating from the 18th century. Even away from the river itself, there is a network of canals to cross, used to power water mills in medieval times, many of which still remain attached to their original buildings today. Situated within half an hour’s drive of Avignon, Isle sur la Sorgue is like many of the other historic and charming towns in this area with one exception; if you enjoy shopping for antiques, then this small village has become the centre for the trade in southern France. Not only are the streets full of antiques shops selling everything from furniture to paintings but there are also weekly markets attended by dealers from as far away as Marseille, Nice and even Lyon.
Even if you’re not interested in shopping for antiques, or have no room in your suitcase for souvenirs, Isle sur la Sorgue is worth a few hours of your time, though its popularity with window shoppers does mean that it gets very busy in the summer. Away from the markets and shopping streets the town’s church, Notre Dame des Anges, has a beautiful baroque interior, while the old hospital building has kept many of the pieces of 18th century medical equipment. The Maison Rene Char, named after the French writer who came from Isle sur la Sorgue, features a museum on his life, as well as art exhibitions. Strolling around the streets, there are dozens of pavement cafes and bars, all set up to keep the antiques shoppers fed and watered, but ideal to sit back and relax for an hour and enjoy the scenery around the river.
As well as being close to the historic city of Avignon, there are other villages in the surrounding area that are popular with visitors to Provence. Fontaine de Vaucluse, around six kilometers away, is not only home to some intriguing historical buildings and charming scenery, but is also the source of the River Sorgue, which gushes from the cliffs and into a deep gorge just outside the village. This natural wonder is one of the most visited sites in the region, so expect lots of crowds on sunny summer days. There are several caves in the cliffs, too, many of which can be visited by tourists, though some are only suitable for experienced cavers and climbers.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue? Then below is a selection of gites in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and villas in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
