L'ISLE SUR LA SORGUE


L'Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue is a small village in Luberon renown for the multitude of antique shops, watermills and the Sorgue River that runs through the canals and natural beds of this quaint town.



Walking through L'Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue, I quickly understood why this village has garnered such popularity, the beautiful mossy watermills, grand fountains and river that courses through the heart of town is a sight in itself. In medieval times, water was viewed as an important source of power, and one need only think of the moats that surround castles to be reminded of its significance. In fact, if anyone in the village sought to attack another, the first target would be their water well. If I extend that thought to L'Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue, where the town is literally built on and around the Sorgue River, this village is indeed powerful. 

  
The village is situated at the foot of Vaucluse plateau from which water flows from the bowls of its mountains, and sometimes gushes without warning. For hundreds of years, the primary source of commerce in L'Isle-Sur-la-Sorgue was fishing, in addition to silk, wool and paper manufacturing.


In more recent decades, L'Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue has become a destination for antique dealers, collectors and bargain hunters. Since 1966,  the Foire Internationale Brocante Antiquites, the second largest antique fair in France, brings together hundreds of antique dealers to L'Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue over Easter weekend. Together everything from beautiful rare antique furniture to the most garish whatchamacallits are on exhibit.

  
However you need not visit during the big weekend to access the treasure trove, there are antique shops on nearly every corner of the town. 

While perusing I encountered several beautiful pieces that captured my heart.

 Perhaps one day when we move out of our small Manhattan apartment we can make room for this beautiful blue cabinet.
 

Something and everything to look forward to bringing back home someday!

 

Although I must admit in between viewing old treasures, I got distracted with a new love.

 

Le plus beau chat que j'ai trouvé en France! He is the most beautiful cat I encountered in France, you can just read through his eyes his warm and loving soul. I couldn't take him with me, but I am so happy to have this angelic photo of le beau chat!

47 comments:

sophia said...

This place...is so gorgeous it's like a dream! Everything is so charming...including the handsome cat! ;-)

Erica said...

Gosh- so freaking amazing! Beautiful scenery everywhere.

ann low said...

Amazing sceneries! I want to take a deep breath ;DD

kat said...

What a beautiful looking place

Mimi said...

Such a charming village. That cat has such soulful eyes.
Mimi

Mini Baker said...

SOOO gorgeous!

Belinda @zomppa said...

Um. Why didn't you take me? I'd like to live in that little orange house. ZomppaPatty is headed out that ways to Paris soon! LOVE these photos!

Tara said...

i LOVE that blue cabinet and the rest of the decor. so beautiful. all those pics are amazing! more more!

Sook said...

Oh how neat! Thanks for sharing.

Chef E said...

I have a neighbor from Dallas who lives there, and I am hoping to make it and stay with her...your photos make it seem just as I imagine!

Beautiful...

Esme said...

Bon Annee mon ami. La chat est tres belle.

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous photos! Enjoy!!! :)

fimere said...

un magnifique reportage et les photos sont super jolies
bonne journée

MaryMoh said...

This looks like a very beautiful place...looks tranquil and serene. Love the cat too.....so cute...but ready to attack....haha!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Wouldn't we all love to visit:D

Jamie said...

What a lovely city. I love discovering beautiful places like this in France and oddly enough I am always surprised when we stumble upon one even though I know they are to be found all over the country. You have captured it beautifully.

3 hungry tummies said...

A truly picture perfect town and you were blessed with such beautiful weather too ;)

NKP said...

So beautiful, what a serene town. Like an old book come to life.

Paula said...

Love the simplicity and arrangement in that last picture. Gorgeous! What a cool place to visit.

Joanne said...

It's hard to believe that places like this really exist. They seem so much like the stuff of fairy tales...

A Canadian Foodie said...

Is this the small town your Truffle Classes are nearby? Or, how did you come to visit this place? I love the carved foxhead, and the mossy wheel. Thank you for an early morning trip back to France... and I cannot wait to read about the next truffle dinner - and to hear how you think it tasted... I long to be there.

Kim said...

What a treasure trove of wonderful pictures. Such a beautiful and romantic city with all the waterways.Thanks so much for sharing your pictures!

George Gaston said...

Christine, one of my favorite PBS programs is "Rick Steve's Travel" ~ thanks to your recent post, I feel as if I am along, getting to enjoy all the beauty of your travels.

Many many thanks for sharing these wonderful photographs...

lululu said...

wandering around those little antique/vintage shops but buying nothing can definitely be my only activity for a specific day while traveling.

Rhandi said...

What beautiful pictures! Viewing your blog is always a breath of fresh air! I hope you are having a wonderful time in Paris.

SKIP TO MALOU said...

so charming indeed... now i'm in a life-is-beautiful-state-of-mind... hmmm...thank you christine!

Fresh Local and Best said...

Thanks everyone for your kind comments! Your comments never cease to brighten my day!

Canadian Foodie - Isle Sur La Sorgue neighbors a village where we went truffle hunting, which I will be posting next week.
Also, it has a fabulous restaurant called Le Jardin du Quai, where we had a fabulous truffle lunch. I will be posting about the truffle lunch next.

Chef E - It's an amazing place, I would recommend visiting during the antique fairs.

Belinda - I am sure you will have a great time in Paris!

The Chef In My Head said...

That's it! I've decided, I want to live THERE!! What a beautiful place, and the treasures! ~LeslieMichele

Stella said...

These photos really make me miss Europe. I remember eating such wonderful food (the farming is so good there-they take more time and there is not as much genetic modification of foods, etc.) at outside street cafes on roads that looked almost just like that third to last photo!

Penny said...

Oh I definitely want to visit this town. Love the antiques and your blue cupboard. We are planning a trip to Provence next summer and I promise this will be on our itinerary. So glad you had this opportunity.

Anonymous said...

What a charming place, just gorgeous! Maybe we'll get to visit here one day if we're lucky!

Namitha said...

Lovely antique pics...that cat is so cute :-)

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

What an amazing journey! So much history to absorb. Makes you realize how new we are in the States. I am so enjoying your journey!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

The fly on your wall asks that you keep posting these thoughts and photos

Diana Bauman said...

What a great way to experience France. Your photos are great!! I am definitely going to check out culinary getaways.

Dolce said...

J'adore ce village! My grand parents live in the area and I can never enough of it!!

Sean said...

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us.

Love the pictures of the books btw!!

Stephanie said...

So so beautiful!

Lori said...

Oh how those photos make me wish for an upcoming trip. Absolutely beautiful and so much character.

Unknown said...

I love quaint little French towns. This place is almost picture perfect. :)

Sarah said...

Every thing in those antique shops are soooo me! I love vintage french!
The kitty was very cute, what a lovely trip.

The Glamorous Gourmet said...

**sigh** how magical! Your photos really capture the town beautifully. So glad you had such a wonderful trip:)

Ju (The Little Teochew) said...

Beauty, magic and bliss ... perfectly captured by your photos!

Anonymous said...

You made my heart sing "une chanson Francaise" ☺

Beautifuly captured!

xOxO.

Katy ~ said...

I held my breath in awe from one photo to the next. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us. Love the kitty!

La Table De Nana said...

We loved our visit there..so much so that if we return..we will stay there:) I love the kitty but the chair? I sumptuously perfect!To me..

Mardi Michels said...

It was a perfect enough post until you got to the kitty and that just pushed it to over the top fantabulous!