A Sunday in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

A Sunday in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue features the town at its most vibrant. Sunday is market day - in every sense - locals shop for asparagus and spices, visitors from further afield weave their way between fruit stands, vintage linens and antique vendor after antique vendor. Few places in Provence capture the spirit of the region quite like this place. 

L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is built along a network of canals fed by the clear, emerald waters of the Sorgue River. At one point, this town was known for its wool mills. Water wheels still turn lazily in the current of the river, but today, it is known as one of Europe's top antique destinations. 

The town is home to over 300 antique dealers, making it a mecca of timeworn pieces. Sundays, stands fill the narrow streets and the banks of the river: mirrors, silver cutlery, Art Deco lamps, armoires, curious finds that can make an interior space feel unique.

Wandering through the market, we passed piles of lavender sachets, Provençal fabrics, produce and layered, weathered antiques. The day was a magical mix. It's a lovely Sunday outing - a town that invites you to linger and to return again and again.