Pernes-les-Fontaines

Towns and Villages - by Provence Beyond

Villages > Pernes-les-Fontaines

Nearby:  | Apt 43 km | Avignon 24 km | Carpentras 6 km | Cavaillon 19 km | Fontaine-de-Vaucluse 17 km | Isle-sur-la-Sorgue 11 km | Saumane-de-Vaucluse 17 km | Thor 9 km | Vaison-la-Romaine 34 km | Venasque 10 km |

Below: | History | O.T. | Dates | Transportation | Sports | Hiking | Lodging Hotels |

The photos are all kindly contributed by Jan Volkers. "The object is a bridge over the Nesque, just outside one of the gates. There is a little chapel on top of the bridge (like pont Benezet in Avignon) . I believe it is on the north side of the village."

Pernes-les-Fontaines is fairly large and, as the name implies, there are a fair number of fountains to be seen. There are 32 18th-century fountains, and several of them are declared French historical monuments. We found a couple of the large, moss-covered variety, including one at an ancient arched entrance into the walled center. Being a parking spot for the locals unfortunately distracts from the beauty (an all too typical occurence).

In spite of seeing a few nice things, we weren't too taken with this place. The main road through town seemed very noisy, and we didn't find a nice terrace café where we could relax. The Office de Tourisme didn't have any historical information to offer, except two booklets, at 3.50 and 7.50 euros. It could just be a question of timing and mood, so give it a try.

There were some small museums listed in the town, and the little Dress Museum looked very charming.

The Nesque river runs through the town. The river is channeled well, and much of the wider river bed has been made into a pleasant park area.

This is a great farming area, and Pernes has excellent grapes, for eating and for wine. One of the wines is the only bubbly wine produced in the Vaucluse. Orchards produce apple, cherry, pear and almonds, and other crops include strawberry, cantalope and vegetables, and the region's largest asparagus market is located here.

In and around Pernes are several 16th-18th-century chapels.

History

Name
First record, 994 Paternis

Medieval: A castle was built here in the 10th century by the Counts of Toulouse, who ruled a fief named "Senescallia Venaissini". In 1274, the domain fell under the rule of Saint-Siège, and Pernes became the capital of the Comtat Venaissin, until 1320 when the capital was transferred to Carpentras. During the 15th and 16th centuries, rule of Pernes changed several times between Saint-Siège and several other lords.

Office de Tourisme

Tel: 04 90 61 31 04; Fax: 04 90 61 33 23
Email: ot.pernes@wanadoo.fr

Dates

Market (Marché) Every Sat
Every Wed - Puces (flea market)
Fête Traditionelle: 25 Apr; last week Aug

Transportation

Bus

Service to Carpentras, Le Thor, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Cavaillon, Marseille.

• Bus-11 schedules

Sports

Camping

Cycling

Hiking

Maps:

IGN (1/25,000) #3141 ouest "Carpentras"

Didier Richard (1/50,000) #27 "Ventoux"

Pernes-les-Fontaines is in a forested and agricultural area. Immediately to the east is the Plateau de Vaucluse where there are many great hiking trails. There are no loop hikes from the village, but one trail, 3 km east, goes southeast, past a Gîte, onto the Plateau de Vaucluse, joining the GR 91 just north of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.

Lodging - Hotels