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!
This place...is so gorgeous it's like a dream! Everything is so charming...including the handsome cat! ;-)
ReplyDeleteGosh- so freaking amazing! Beautiful scenery everywhere.
ReplyDeleteAmazing sceneries! I want to take a deep breath ;DD
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful looking place
ReplyDeleteSuch a charming village. That cat has such soulful eyes.
ReplyDeleteMimi
SOOO gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteUm. 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!
ReplyDeletei LOVE that blue cabinet and the rest of the decor. so beautiful. all those pics are amazing! more more!
ReplyDeleteOh how neat! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...
Bon Annee mon ami. La chat est tres belle.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, gorgeous photos! Enjoy!!! :)
ReplyDeleteun magnifique reportage et les photos sont super jolies
ReplyDeletebonne journée
This looks like a very beautiful place...looks tranquil and serene. Love the cat too.....so cute...but ready to attack....haha!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't we all love to visit:D
ReplyDeleteWhat 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.
ReplyDeleteA truly picture perfect town and you were blessed with such beautiful weather too ;)
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, what a serene town. Like an old book come to life.
ReplyDeleteLove the simplicity and arrangement in that last picture. Gorgeous! What a cool place to visit.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe that places like this really exist. They seem so much like the stuff of fairy tales...
ReplyDeleteIs 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.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure trove of wonderful pictures. Such a beautiful and romantic city with all the waterways.Thanks so much for sharing your pictures!
ReplyDeleteChristine, 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.
ReplyDeleteMany many thanks for sharing these wonderful photographs...
wandering around those little antique/vintage shops but buying nothing can definitely be my only activity for a specific day while traveling.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful pictures! Viewing your blog is always a breath of fresh air! I hope you are having a wonderful time in Paris.
ReplyDeleteso charming indeed... now i'm in a life-is-beautiful-state-of-mind... hmmm...thank you christine!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your kind comments! Your comments never cease to brighten my day!
ReplyDeleteCanadian 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!
That's it! I've decided, I want to live THERE!! What a beautiful place, and the treasures! ~LeslieMichele
ReplyDeleteThese 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!
ReplyDeleteOh 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.
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming place, just gorgeous! Maybe we'll get to visit here one day if we're lucky!
ReplyDeleteLovely antique pics...that cat is so cute :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing journey! So much history to absorb. Makes you realize how new we are in the States. I am so enjoying your journey!
ReplyDeleteThe fly on your wall asks that you keep posting these thoughts and photos
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to experience France. Your photos are great!! I am definitely going to check out culinary getaways.
ReplyDeleteJ'adore ce village! My grand parents live in the area and I can never enough of it!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures of the books btw!!
So so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh how those photos make me wish for an upcoming trip. Absolutely beautiful and so much character.
ReplyDeleteI love quaint little French towns. This place is almost picture perfect. :)
ReplyDeleteEvery thing in those antique shops are soooo me! I love vintage french!
ReplyDeleteThe kitty was very cute, what a lovely trip.
**sigh** how magical! Your photos really capture the town beautifully. So glad you had such a wonderful trip:)
ReplyDeleteBeauty, magic and bliss ... perfectly captured by your photos!
ReplyDeleteYou made my heart sing "une chanson Francaise" ☺
ReplyDeleteBeautifuly captured!
xOxO.
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!
ReplyDeleteWe 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..
ReplyDeleteIt was a perfect enough post until you got to the kitty and that just pushed it to over the top fantabulous!
ReplyDelete