Discovering the Jewish heritage in Vaucluse
Banished from the kingdom of France in the Middle-Ages, the Jewish communities found refuge in the Comtat Venaissin, this little piece of Provence that would give birth to Vaucluse during the Revolution. It was in this region that the Jewish communities were best protected until its annexation to France, benefitting from the presence of the Avignon Popes, who granted them freedom of worship and right of residence.
LOOP DEPARTING FROM AVIGNON – 80 km
Stage 1 – Comtadin de Cavaillon Synagogue and Jewish museum
Useful Information
Guided visits with the Luberon Cœur de Provence Tourist Office
Réceptif service : incoming@luberoncoeurdeprovence.com
T.+33(0)4 90 71 63 65
Avignon -> Cavaillon – 27 km
A masterpiece of 18th-century Comtadin art, this former synagogue, now a museum, is one of the most remarkable Jewish prayer houses known to man.
Stage 2 – Jewish district of Isle sur la Sorgue
Cavaillon -> Isle sur la Sorgue – 10 km
Today, little remains of the days of the Jews of the Papacy at the Isle sue la Sorgue. But while strolling through the little Venice of Vaucluse, you can appreciate the beauty of the former “carrière”, another word for Jewish district.
Useful Information
Free walk or guided visit with the l’Isle sur la Sorgue Tourist Office
www.oti-delasorgue.fr
Stage 3 – The Mikveh of Pernes les Fontaines
Isle sur la Sorgue to Pernes les Fontaines – 12 km
Situated in the magnificent Hôtel de Cheylus, this basin, built around 1504, is unique: at the heart of a private property, it is not connected to a synagogue.
Useful Information
Guided visits with the Pernes les Fontaines Tourist Office
www.tourisme-pernes.fr
Stage 4 – The Carpentras synagogue and cemetery
Pernes les Fontaines -> Carpentras – 7 km
The Carpentras synagogue, listed as a historic monument, is the oldest synagogue in France still in operation. Built in 1367 and extended in the 18th century, some elements date back to Roman and medieval times.
The Israelite cemetery is also listed as a historical monument. Dating from the 14th century, it is one of the oldest in France still in use. More than 900 graves can be counted there.
Useful Information:
Synagogue: Visit at fixed times from Monday to Friday excluding public holidays and Hebrew holidays
www.synagoguedecarpentras.fr
Israelite cemetery: Guided visit with the Carpentras Tourist Office – Ventoux-Provence
www.ventouxprovence.fr
Stage 5 – Return to Avignon and visit to the synagogue
Carpentras -> Avignon – 26 km
This religious edifice, reconstructed after a fire in 1846, is one of the witnesses of the centuries-long presence of Jews in Avignon.
Useful Information:
Synagogue d’Avignon
2, place Jérusalem
T. 33 (0)4 90 85 21 24 – 33 (0)6 09 53 72 91
. Religious services : contact the Rabbi, Mr. Sfadj Jonathan, at +33 (0)6 18 85 67 13 or by email at: rabinacia@hotmail.fr
. Visit the synagogue: the synagogue is open to tourists and to groups from Monday to Friday from 10am to 12pm, excluding religious festivals
Outside these hours, possibility of a visit by appointment at +33 (0)6 09 53 72 91 or by email at contact@aci-avignon.com