At the foot of the Mont Ventoux, not far from Avignon, Carpentras is a Provençal city with a rich heritage built and natural: the agricultural landscapes of the plain, the exceptional natural reserve of the Ventoux, the limestone mountain of the Dentelles de Montmirail, the picturesque roads and the wild paths... offer preserved landscapes while the ancient center has some beautiful architectural surprises.
On this land, the Romans planted vines and the Greeks olive trees, but it is the Popes, who, by creating a pontifical state outside the kingdom of France in Avignon and in the Comtat Venaissin, have contributed to the cultural blossoming of Carpentras.
The Comtat Venaissin went from the Durance to the Baronnies and was for 5 centuries under papal administration.
In 1229. The Count of Toulouse to whom the Comtat belonged, vanquished in the Albigensis war, conveyed the Comtat to the Holy See.
In 1309, disorders in Italy prompted the Popes to leave Rome to move to Avignon and to the Comtat Venaissin.
Carpentras was thus the capital of the Comtat Venaissin from 1320 to 1791.
This episode of history has profoundly marked the heritage of the city, once fortified.
The Orange Gate from the 14th century remains and a few beautiful buildings, including the synagogue.
This 14th century synagogue is unique in its type. It is the oldest one in France, heritage of the Jewish people chased from the Kingdom of France to find refuge on Comtat lands, under the protection of the Popes.
This historical particularity gave birth to a movement called Comtat Judaism found nowhere else and a characteristic of which is the Judeo-Provencal dialect spoken by the Jews.
Renovated in the 18th century, it is still in activity.
Not far from there, the Saint Siffrein cathedral proudly shows its imposing blond stone facade aligned with the old episcopal palace.
It is the biggest church of the diocese: its construction lasted more than one century from 1405 to 1531.
Inside, the decoration reveals the great artistic movement brought about by the pontifical presence in the Comtat Venaissin.
The beautiful private mansions of the 17th and 18th centuries in the rue Moricelly testify to the opulent life style of the rich merchants and entrepreneurs from a time with a flourishing economy.
The Hôtel–Dieu offers a hospital architecture and an apothecary conserved in its original state, it is also characteristic of this enlightened century.
Decorative arts museums, patrimonial funds of rare and precious works, chapels, fountains...all the aspects of Carpentras will be revealed in the Architecture and Patrimonial Heritage Center which is also the point of departure for guided visits of the city.
The ancient center of the city has the shape of a heart, some say of a strawberry of which it is the capital
We invite you to contact our agency Plaisirs & Maisons de Provence by clicking here ,we can also design a custom-made stay to discover the charming city of Carpentras.
For lodging we propose a selection of vacation rentals in the Ventoux, or a vacation rental near Avignon or a vacation rental in Provence by clicking here.
