Fontaine-de-Vaucluse — Laura's Shadow

Your quest begins at the Source de la Sorgue, classified as a Historic Monument in 1963 and a Natura 2000 site since 2006. Here, in 1327, Francesco Petrarch first met Laura de Noves, an event that marked his life and work. This karstic spring, the most abundant in France with an average flow of 21 m³/s, had its siphons explored up to 308 meters deep in 1985 and 2004. You perceive the poetic inspiration that fed Petrarch's sonnets, the very place where nature and love intertwined in the poet's heart, in the heart of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.

The Old Mill of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, classified as a Historic Monument on November 20, 1974, is your next stop. This 14th-century paper mill, restored in 1977, used the hydraulic energy of the Sorgue for paper production until the 19th century. A symbol of Provençal paper industry in the Middle Ages, it reminds you that even amidst love and poetry, the daily life of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse was shaped by work and ingenuity. It is on such papers that Petrarch's verses could have been transcribed, bearing the trace of his love for Laura.

The Saint-Véran Church, a 12th-century Romanesque building restored in the 19th century and classified as a Historic Monument on December 28, 1984, invites contemplation. It evokes Saint Véran, Bishop of Cavaillon who died in 589, a protector against floods. Inside, a 15th-century polychrome wooden statue of the Virgin testifies to local devotion. This place of worship, rooted in the history of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, offers a contrast between spirituality and Petrarch's profane passion, showcasing the rich heritage of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Continuing your path towards the Château des Évêques de Cavaillon, you ascend a steep 25-minute trail to these 12th-century medieval fortifications, listed as Historic Monuments on December 28, 1984. Dominating the village at 140 m altitude, they served as the residence of the Bishops of Cavaillon until the 14th century. From these vestiges of the keep and ramparts, you gaze upon the village of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and the Sorgue valley, a panorama that would have offered Petrarch a refuge for his thoughts, far from turmoil, a place where Laura's shadow could have followed him.

Your journey concludes at the Petrarch Museum, inaugurated in 1976 in the poet's former home, classified as a Historic Monument on December 17, 1985. Here, Petrarch stayed from 1337 to 1353, writing his sonnets to Laura. The museum preserves manuscripts and original editions of his works related to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. It is here that the legacy of Petrarch and Laura de Noves takes on its full meaning, a testament to the love and poetry that marked this 'Plus Beaux Villages de France'. This interactive visit to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse offers you a deep understanding of the impact of this place on one of history's greatest poets.