Carpentras

Carpentras offers visitors, facets as colorful as the facades of its old center. Heir to the Gallic city of Memini, the double character of acropolis and market, the city becomes in the Middle Ages, the capital of Comtat Venaissin. It owes its originality to its membership in the Holy See from the thirteenth to the eighteenth century. Its architecture is inspired by Italian models and the presence of Jews protected by the Popes, marks its culture.

At the turn of the streets and squares, its rich heritage is revealed to the walker.

• The Inguimbertine at the Hôtel-Dieu Library-Museum:

• A modern library completely connected to the future but also to the past. This is what makes this place unusual. While wandering, the visitor finds objects of art, musical instruments or scientists. A way to arouse his curiosity, to present the richness of the funds of the Inguimbertine but also to show the work of artists Carpentrassiens. The Hôtel-Dieu, is the work of Monseigneur d'Inguimbert, bishop of Carpentras in 1735.
• The building erected between 1750 and 1761 under the direction of architect Antoine d'Allemand offers a majestic hospital architecture with a long sober façade overlooking the west and surmounted by fire pots, protecting a huge palace that houses an apothecary authentic (but currently under renovation), the large gallery served by a staircase of honor, which is adorned with 281 donatives dating from the eighteenth to the twentieth century: paintings painted to extend the memory of the generous donors who bequeathed their fortune to the Hospital.
• The baroque chapel can not be visited for the moment.

• Saint Siffrein Cathedral: Closed on Mondays.

• The Saint Siffrein cathedral, named after the city's patron bishop (7th century), is a fine example of Southern Gothic architecture characterized by a unified space and a strong mural. It is the largest church in the Diocese: 58 meters long including 42 for the nave with six warheads. Its construction lasted more than a century (1405-1531), succeeding two previous buildings, including a Romanesque cathedral of the thirteenth century, the remains still existing on the north side of the bedside.
• Inside, the decoration is indicative of the great artistic movement aroused by the pontifical presence in the Comtat Venaissin, until the Revolution. Painted panel of the coronation of the Virgin, stained glass windows of the 15th century, Genoese altarpieces in precious marble, gilded wood carvings of the Bernus family, exceptional ironworks of the Mille, paintings by G.E. Grève, N. Mignard, E. Parrocel and Carpentrassian J.S Duplessis... they let themselves be watched in the shadow of the chapels.

• Courthouse :

• In the alignment of the Saint Siffrein cathedral, stands in the large square of the "Palace" renamed General De Gaulle, the former episcopal palace became since 1801, the Palace of Justice.
• The building was built in the seventeenth century, at the request of Bishop Bichi, in the "Roman taste" - salient balcony, bossed pilasters... The facade perfectly illustrates the style of the great Italian palaces.
• As part of the guided tours program: What to see inside: the former Bishops' room with French ceilings, the Assisi room, formerly the meeting place of the Comtat Venaissin States and the hall Correctional with its cartridges representing the villages of the former Comtat.

• The Roman arch:

• Before entering the synagogue, a stop is needed on another place, the place of Inguimbert. In its recess, leaning against the northern flank of the church Saint Siffrein, is the only vestige of the Roman period, the Roman arch.

The comtadine city, before falling to the popes, passed successively into the hands of the Celts - under the name of Carpentoracte Meminorum and the Romans - Forum Neronis. From those distant times, there is a building of the first century CE, erected to commemorate Rome's victory over the barbarians. Pierced by a single arch, it offers a magnificent carved detail: two captives chained to a trophy.

• The synagogue:

• The synagogue, built in 1367 and remodeled in the 18th century by the architect Antoine D'Allemand, is the oldest in France, still active. It testifies to the presence of the Jewish Communities which, persecuted in the Kingdom of France, put themselves under the pontifical protection and settled in Comtat Venaissin from the 13th century.
• From the quarry established in 1461 in the heart of the city by the Consuls and abandoned as soon as the Comtat became part of France, there remains a place of worship full of emotion and always in activity which testifies to the Judeo-Provençal civilization past and present.
• The facade, deliberately discreet dates from 1909, the room of worship offers a Baroque decoration of the eighteenth century, with columns and fake marble decor, while the ground floor houses the oldest parts: the ritual baths, the 2 bakeries - one for daily bread, the other for unleavened bread, and a room dedicated to Jerusalem in the prayer hall. Inquire at the Tourist Office for opening hours and the entrance fee.

• The Orange Door:

• One reaches the north of the city by a single door, last vestige of the walls of the fourteenth century.
• The Orange Gate, a defensive unit that included 32 round and semi-round towers. The tower, which rises to 26 m, keeps it looking great with its jagging on corbelled machicolations. One of the most admired buildings in the city, saved in extremis from destruction during major urban development projects conducted in the nineteenth century.
• In good weather and as part of guided tours, the panorama at the top is grandiose: to the north, the view embraces the agricultural plain with the Dentelles de Montmirail massif and the Mont Ventoux as a backdrop, to the south, the view plunges on the sunny roofs and steeples of Carpentras illuminating the narrow streets of the old center.

• The Comtadin - Duplessis museum: closed.
• The Sobirats museum: Open during guided tours on programming or groups.

• The decorative arts collections of the town of Carpentras are gathered in the former private mansion of the Armand de Châteauvieux family, in the salons adorned with typical plaster motifs of the Comtat Venaissin.
• From boudoirs to lounges, the visitor can discover a set of regional furniture, a remarkable suite of Aubusson tapestries, earthenware from Marseille and Moustiers, paintings of landscapes and aristocratic portraits.
• The museum owes its name to the last Count of Sobirats, generous donor of the institution. This tour recreates the warm and intimate atmosphere of an eighteenth century patrician house.

• Producers' market: from April to the end of September.
• Strawberry Festival: mid-April.
• Night of museums: in May.
• Tennis Open 84: in June.
• Night of the blues: in June.
• Triathlon: in June.
• The butterflies of Carpentras: from the end of June to the end of August.
• Urban trial trophy of Carpentras: early July.
• Trans'art: all July.
• International Festival of Jewish Music: July-August.
• Great summer garage sale: in August.
• Salon all collections: in September.
• Heritage Days: in September.
• Fair Saint-Siffrein: in November.
• Truffle market: Fridays from November to March.
• Salon des Santonniers: in December.
• Unusual Christmas: in December.
• The Christmas truffle party: in December.

• Nature Activities with numerous hiking in the area of ​​Mont Ventoux and Dentelles. 13 cycling routes in the area asking Tourist Offices. For all levels and families.
• Cultural activities with a program of guided visits to the territory of the Comtat Venaissin / Mont Ventoux: guided tours, special lectures, directed walks, workshops for adults and children and was the scene of visits !
• Gourmet activities with the outputs of the Carpentras Tourist Office.
• Swimming with 3 nearby lakes and a large water park. Meet the llamas, ride a donkey, tree climbing, Jarditrain, devalkart summer of Mont Ventoux! And many more to discover...