Postcard from Pernes-les-Fontaines

Pernes-les-Fontaines is a medieval town in the Vaucluse département of Provence. As its name suggests, it’s known for the 40 ‘fontaines’ or wells that are to be found in every section of the old town. The tourist office has an excellent illustrated map which gives a long and a short route to explore the streets, squares, monuments, museums (free entry) and, of course, the fountains. Surprisingly, there are no souvenir shops nor mini-markets, just traditional bakers, butchers, and greengrocers within the old town.

Pernes is south of Carpentras and to the north–east of Avignon, so it could be a good base from which to tour the western Vaucluse and to visit Mont Ventoux. We came here just for a night stop, but decided to stop another day to explore the town properly. We intend coming back some other time to explore more of this lovely part of Provence.

We’re camped at Camping Municipal de Coucourelle, which is just a 10 minute walk from the town, and just next door to the municipal open-air swimming pool. The site has 40 generously sized pitches, and no statics or mobilhomes. It’s a clean, tidy well-managed site open from 1 April to 30 September. We got the last pitch yesterday, but today some campers have left, so it’ll probably become less busy as the French peak season winds down.

We’re paying €15.50 per night which includes electricity, free wifi, and free passes to the swimming pool!

No website, but phone 04 90 66 45 55. Look in CC Book 1 under Carpentras.