Pernes-les-Fontaines

Visit Pernes-les-Fontaines, Provence

Pernes-les-Fontaines is a town to the south of Carpentras in the Vaucluse department of Provence. There are several sites of interest to discover as you explore the old town, which has been officially classified as a 'recommended detour town', and a visit is recommended if you are passing.

Exploring Pernes-les-Fontaines

The town is entered by one of the substantial gates through the orginal defensive fortifications. The gateways here are the Porte Notre-Dame, entered by a bridge across the Nesque River; the Porte Villeneuve;  and the Porte Saint-Gilles

Pernes-les-Fontaines has 40 fountains (hence the name of the town, which had the reference to fountains added in 1936). Most of the fountains were installed in the 18th century, some later, and the most interesting have very decorative and interesting carved designs.

The tourist office here can give you details of a route that discovers most of the fountains. The most impressive is the Fontaine du Cormaran, dating from 1761 and next to the 17th century market hall.

The tour of the town also passes various other highlights. These include a number of grand old 17th century houses; the 17th century town Hall; an impressive clocktower (part of a 13th century castle, with lovely views from the top of the tower); parts of the medieval ramparts; the traditional covered market; and a couple of smaller chapels.

The roman style Church of Notre-Dame-of-Nazareth dates from the 12th century, although it was much altered in the centuries that followed. On the southern side you can see the damaged remains of the original entrance (the rest of this side is rather a mix of repair work and alterations), but it is the western facade and doorway that is of most interest.

Be sure to also see the vibrant colourful frescoes in the 13th century Ferrand Tower in Pernes-les-Fontaines - these paintings are among the main reasons to visit the town, and include both biblical paintings and also 'contemporary' subjects such as the exploits of King Charles I.

See Provence-Alpes-Cote-d'Azur and Vaucluse (the region and department for Pernes-les-Fontaines) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Pernes-les-Fontaines: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*; Recommended detour town (plus beau detour);

Suggested places to visit near Pernes-les-Fontaines, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Gordes 15km; Le Barroux 16km; Oppede-le-Vieux 19km; Dentelles de Montmirail 20km; Avignon 21km; Villeneuve-les-Avignon 21km; Roussillon 22km; Menerbes 22km; Seguret 23km; Lacoste 25km; Orange 25km;

Pernes-les-Fontaines tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Jarditrain - remarkable garden (4km) : Collégiale Notre Dame des Anges (Sorgues) - religious monument (9km) : Abbaye de Sénanque (Gordes) - religious monument (15km) : Jardin du château de Brantes - remarkable garden (15km) : Dentelles de Montmirail - site of natural beauty (20km) : Fort Saint-Andre - national monument (21km) : Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Repos de Montfavet (Avignon) - religious monument (21km) : Gorges de la Nesque - site of natural beauty (22km) :

See more places and a map at places near Pernes-les-Fontaines