ISLE ON THE SORGUE : The small Venice of Comtat.

At the origin of the city, there was a simple fishermen village established on a small island in the middle of swamps, which were gradually dried up by the digging of canals. Today 5 canals run through the city and give it a Venetian atmosphere.
The vestiges of paddle wheels show how industrial activity was important: they were activating mills, oil-mills, silk or woolen spinnings, dyeing and paper mills. The former prosperity of the city can be seen, in the exceptional Provencal baroque decoration of the collegiate church Notre-Dame of the Angels, reconstructed in 17th century.
The city is homeland of the poet René Char, who wrote about the Sorgues.
It became today the regional capital of antiques and secondhand trade, with over 2OO professionals established in its walls. Elegant shops could be found in the streets.