Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
France's largest karst spring gushes from the foot of a cliff to become the source of the Sorgue River. The poet Petrarch once lived in seclusion here.
The Fontaine de Vaucluse is one of the largest springs in France and one of the deepest karst springs in the world. Its emerald water wells up from the base of a 230-meter cliff. From the village entrance, it's a 15–20 minute walk along the riverside path to the spring. In the rainy season, the water bubbles up forcefully. In summer, when the water level is lower, you'll see only a deep pool. The village has a paper mill, a Petrarch museum, and a museum of the French Resistance. The path is free, but parking costs money. It's about 7 km from L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and is often linked with Gordes to form a loop through the Luberon.
Opening hours
All day