About
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is a village in the Vaucluse department of southern France, known above all for its spring. Here the Sorgue River rises from underground, emerging as a single flow of water from beneath the limestone rock.
The spring is the reason most visitors come. The water is a striking turquoise, and the setting, with steep cliffs closing in around the source, gives the place a quiet, almost mysterious character. Many people spend a long while simply looking at the water as it wells up and begins its course through the village.
What a visit offers
- Walking to the spring and watching where the river appears from underground
- Following the riverside paths and the views of the water as it flows through the village
- Taking time over a slower, unhurried half-day rather than a rushed stop
Around the village
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse sits in the Vaucluse, an area of Provence that is easy to combine with other visits in the region. Because the spring draws steady numbers of people, it is worth thinking about the time of day you arrive if you want a calmer experience at the water's edge.
If you enjoy landscapes shaped by water and rock, the spring makes a natural stop on a wider journey through Provence. Plan for a relaxed visit, bring comfortable shoes for the walk down to the water, and allow time to sit and watch the river.