Le Thor is a city of Vaucluse, in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region, 20 km east of Avignon and bordering the east of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
The ancient heart of the city is established between two arms of the river, and its territory was long formed in its northern part by marshy areas.
The locality took off in the twelfth century when it formed, with Avignon, in particular, a "buffer zone" between the lands located north of the Durance devolving to the county of Toulouse and those located in the south of the comtat of Barcelona.
A commercial city thanks to the development of a port, also rich in agricultural land after the drying up of the marshes, it gained its independence vis-à-vis the feudal powers from the modern era.
The culture of madder (which allows to make a pigment to dye the textile) and a small industry linked to its mills (plastering, paper mill, tannery) during the nineteenth century make its reputation before Le Thor is recognized as the capital of chasselas grapes until the second war.
Its rich historical heritage, cultural vitality and pleasant environment (banks of the Sorgue) near major tourist sites (Avignon, Lubéron) make it an essential stopover during a stay in the region.
Now having about 9000 inhabitants thanks to an extension of the urbanized zones of its territory, Le Thor has preserved a rich historical inheritance, in particular within its fortified enclosure between the arms of the Sorgue.
At the old door of Douzabas (also known as Notre-Dame), we discover a revamped porch-tower in 1846, with a machicolated platform and a 7m high belfry with two faces. are decorated with dials. In 1847, a 25 m spire was installed on the campanile.
The internal staircase was restored in 2010 and the belfry was also the subject of a restoration campaign in 2015. Symbol of the city, this site is now registered.
In the old center, the Notre-Dame-du-Lac church has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1832. Built in the 12th century, it is considered a masterpiece of Provençal Romanesque art, but Gothic elements, such as the rib vaults that cover his nave. The richness of exterior and interior ornaments has made it famous. Its large dimensions (35 m long and 16 m vaulted) are home to a choir with a cupola supported by four "trompes" illustrated symbols of the evangelists.
On the "west" facade, there is an entrance decorated with beautifully carved columns and a tympanum with a blessing hand. See also, the southern porch monumental, which is based on four curved columns adorned with capitals acanthus leaves. On the portal, the carved decorations surrounding the tympanum occupied by a niche containing the statue of the Virgin and the molded arcatures, consoles decorated with human masks or floral motifs such as pilasters with foliage capitals that punctuate the exterior of the apse are beautiful.
We will not forget the amazing lantern tower where there are capitals decorated with masks or animals. As for the monumental wrought iron cross, it dates from 1743.
A walk through the old, shaded alleys then makes it possible to notice beautiful buildings such as the Hôtel des Consuls, where the city rulers gathered under the Ancien Régime, while the assembly of inhabitants was held under the porch of the church, houses with a carved beam framed corner of Verdelin, or the castle Courtet (thirteenth century, can not visit).
The penitents hospital (XIII) became a nursing home, the narrow Cavalerie street with its typical and restored pavement, or the rue de la Nassion, from which one would throw traps in the Sorgue..
The old ramparts, the Garancine wheel mill, the Dominican convent, the very narrow Rue des Muets are also to be discovered, presenting an aspect evoking the nearby city of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, before concluding by the gardens of the Town Hall which house two stone statues of Molière and Corneille nineteenth, formerly installed in front of the Opera of Avignon.
Guided tours of the old quarter are offered to visitors, possibly led by comedians in July-August. Information on +33 4 90 33 92 31.
North of the "old town", on a hill, the castle of Thouzon built in the eleventh century housed a monastery, two Romanesque chapels and convent buildings. Surrounded by a double enclosure, the partially registered site is the subject of a patient restoration undertaken by an association. Visit possible 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 14h to 17h30.
On a cultural level, in a beautiful property, the Bastide Rose, the museum dedicated to Pierre Salinger who was spokesman for President Kennedy in the 1960s but whose French origins brought him, after rubbing shoulders with the great of this world, coming to settle in Provence, presents many documents and memories related to this figure of the twentieth century also passionate about art and music. In gardens crossed by an arm of the Sorgue, exhibitions of monumental sculptures are offered each year via the foundation dedicated to Pierre Salinger and his wife Poppy.
Open every day in summer except Tuesdays. Entry: 5 and 8 euros. Information on +33 6 78 43 57 33 or +33 4 90 02 14 33.
For shows or concerts, the Sonograf 'offers very regularly jazz concerts and world music (contact +33 4 90 02 13 30) and Auditorium Jean Moulin program concerts, plays or circus performances (information +33 4 90 33 96 80).
In a completely different register, at the foot of the Thouzon hill, the Caves discovered in 1902 have been developed and we discover a multitude of concretions including stalactites up to 2 m high. Open from April 1st to November 30th. Price: from 6.60 to 9 euros. Information on +33 4 90 33 93 65.
From the walled city to the plain dominated by the hill of Thouzon (at the summit of which one enjoys a magnificent panorama) through the banks of the Sorgue (to which an interpretation trail is dedicated) and the still cultivated areas (horticulture, orchards), many hikes are possible on the town. Maps and information on +33 4 90 33 92 31.
For athletes, finally, are possible pleasant canoe trips on the Sorgue (contact +33 6 38 05 70 56) or tennis games (reserve a court at +33 4 90 33 75 92.
As for fishermen, the Sorgue offers them (many) arms. Information on the regulation at +33 4 90 86 62 68.
