Discover Pernes-Les-Fontaines

With 41 fountains, museums, historic buildings and a cultural centre, Pernes-Les-Fontaines offers several concrete starting points for a trip. There is also a greenway, circular routes and workshops, some of which offer introductory sessions. If you would like to include cultural attractions and outdoor activities in your plans, you can weigh up these different options.

Fountains and museums

The 41 fountains are among the distinctive features of Pernes-Les-Fontaines. They give the town a clear cultural theme, which can be complemented by the collections of its two museums. The Musée Comtadin du Cycle is dedicated to more than 150 years of cycling history. Its timeline stretches from Pierre Michaux's 1869 velocipede to a time-trial bike made entirely of carbon fibre. An early bicycle and a modern carbon-fibre example thus stand side by side as different milestones in this history.

The Musée de la Résistance de Pernes-les-Fontaines features objects, writings, books and documents from the Second World War, the Resistance, deportation and the Maquis. This gives the museum a different historical focus from the cycling museum. If you are interested in local history, the various collection items and themes offer a concrete starting point for considering both perspectives when planning your trip.

Buildings and cultural programme

The Tour de l'Horloge is a former keep of the Château des Comtes de Toulouse. From its terrace, there are panoramic views of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail. Here, a historic building is paired with a named viewpoint; the Tour Ferrande is another important part of the heritage of Pernes-les-Fontaines. If you are interested in architectural heritage, you can consider both towers as different points of interest without treating their significance as identical.

The former Augustinian church is also part of the town's cultural offerings: it serves as a cultural centre and hosts concerts and performances. This adds an events programme to the museums and historic buildings. As the programme may vary, it is advisable to check the current dates if you are planning to attend a concert or performance.

Circular routes and Via Venaissia

Several circular hiking and trail-running routes start in Pernes-les-Fontaines and lead into the surrounding area and natural spaces. Some outdoor circular routes run alongside the Canal de Carpentras and continue up to the hill of Puy Bricon. The town's location in the Parc Naturel Régional du Mont Ventoux adds to this connection with the landscape. The main factor in choosing a route is its type: the circular routes start in town, while the Via Venaissia connects Orange with Velleron and passes through Pernes-les-Fontaines.

The Via Venaissia is a greenway. Its connection between the two named towns therefore differs in function from the circular routes that start in Pernes-les-Fontaines. When comparing different route options, you can use this information about their course and starting points without assuming any walking or travel time.

Introductory workshops at studios

Some of the Ateliers de Pernes hold introductory workshops throughout the year, where you can discover their crafts. This is not automatically available at every studio; availability may vary by artisan. If a workshop is an important part of your trip, it is best to check with the studio concerned. This makes it possible to combine this cultural offering with the museums, cultural centre or routes that also interest you.

Discover more destinations: Buisson, Mirabeau, Uchaux, Murs, Le Beaucet, Robion, Saint-Marcellin-Lès-Vaison, Rasteau.

For the broader travel overview: Vaucluse.