Carpentras

In 1155, Raymond V of Toulouse, Marquis of Provence, sent his chancellor Raous Raymond I, Bishop of Carpentras, to confirm the privileges of market held in Carpentras. In the Middle Ages, the market was held every Friday in the cemetery of Saint-Siffrein. There were then 200 stallholders. At the beginning of the Avignon Papacy, the bishop Bérenger Forneri tried unsuccessfully to ban the cemetery market. Pope Clement V established his curia in Carpentras in 1313. When he died in 1314, his successor gave preference to Avignon. However, as capital of Vaison in Vaucluse in 1320, the city profitted from Pontifical munificence: ruled by its bishops, it was extended and surrounded by walls which were interrupted only by the Gate of Orange (Porte d'Orange). The market was expanded in 1385 on the site of the Fusterie, which is called Place des Pénitents Noirs.
The city of Carpentras has hosted Jews since at least 1276, according to tax rolls from that time. Expelled from France by Philipple le Bel, the Jews took refuge in the Papal lands where they were safe and enjoyed freedom of worship. Along with Avignon, Cavaillon and L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Carpentras was home to a large Jewish community in a neighborhood that did not become a ghetto until the end of the sixteenth century.
In 1790, the people of Carpentras attempted to establish a small independent state, which would have accepted the reforms of the revolutionary French Constituent Assembly but with the Pope as constitutional monarch. However, this did not last long: by 1791, Carpentras was once again part of France.

Emblem of the city

The Holy Mors or Holy Nail is known as a relic of Christ and is preserved in the Cathedral of Saint-Siffrein. This object dates from the 6th century AD. The "Saint Mors" of Constantine is a forged nail, supposedly of the Passion of Christ. This relic was kept in the treasury of the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople until the looting of the city by the troops of the 4th Crusade (1202-1204). It then disappeared until 1226, when it was first seen on the seal of the Bishop of Carpentras Isnard, and subsequently became the emblem of the city in 1260. The relic today on display in the Chapel of the Holy Nail in the Cathedral.

By plane

The nearest international airports are those of Avignon (25 km) and Marseille (120 km).

• Airfield Edgar SoumilleAlso has a flying club.

By car

It is accessed from Avignon in the south-west by the D942 (fast track) Pernes-les-Fontaines south on the D938, Apt - Venasque and southeast by the D4, Mazan east by the D942, feet (south) of the Mont Ventoux by the D974 or D938 northeast, north Aubignan by D7 and Sarrians northwest by the D950 Bypass Carpentras, planned for decades, finally saw its construction begin, the part between the road and the roads Sarrians-Caromb/Bédoin have been completed. A second section between the health center (Route d'Avignon) and Market station has been operational since 2012. The central part, between Avignon Road Sarrians Road is open to traffic since summer 2013.

By bus

Several bus lines depart from Carpentras, to large areas of Vaucluse via the TransVaucluse network from the bus station area Terradou:

• 5.1 : Carpentras - Avignon, via Monteux and Entraigues-sur-la-Sorgue,
• 10 : Carpentras - Orange, via Sarrians and Jonquières,
• 11 : Carpentras - Vaison-la-Romaine, via Malaucène,
• 12.1 : Carpentras - Sault,
• 12.2 : Carpentras - Méthamis,
• 13.1 : Carpentras - Cavaillon, via L'Isle sur la Sorgue.

The city and the metropolitan area are also served by the Trans'Cove network, which manages the city line.

• Terradou centrale bus station

By train

Trains from Avignon via Monteux, Althen-des-Paluds, Sorgues and Le Pontet.

A bus network in Carpentras connects to the neighbouring villages : bus network . A free parking shuttle is available, Friday for access to the weekly market on Friday. The car park in question is also free : free shuttle.

To visit some places, as Hôtel-Dieu, Château du Martinet, or Graineterie Roux, it is best to contact the tourist office, which will inform you, and will record you in the frames of tours by guides around €5 per person and place). Some over places will be see with free acces.

• Carpentras synagogue

  address: place Maurice Charretier
  From the 14th century, this is the oldest synagogue in France.

• Notre-Dame de Santé chapelThis chapel took the name of "Our Lady of Health" following the 1629 plague.

• former ArchbishopricLocated next to the Saint Siffrein Cathedral, the building dates from 1640, and was built at the request of the Bishop Aleandre Bichi.

• Carpentras CathedralBuilt in the 15th century.

• La CharitéHas two storeys of arches and Italian loggias.

• Porte d'OrangeAn example of 14th-century military architecture, 27 m high.

• aqueduct carries the canal CarpentrasConstruction began in 1720, lasted 14 years.

• Graineterie Roux

  address: 34 rue Bel Air
  Old seed factory. It remains a rare example of the seed industry, which now has five such institutions in France.

• Ancient Roman archOne of the oldest monuments in Carpentras.

• College chapel

• The Israelite cemeteryVisits are possible by reservation at the Tourism Office.

• Saint-Martin de Serres chapel

  address: hamlet of Serres, north of downtown

• Hôtel-DieuFormer hospital, and location of truffle markets in winter.

• Inguimbertine libraryPublic library, one of the largest and oldest (1754) in France.

• Trans'arts FestivalThe summer series of arts events: "Fiesta Bodega", Night of Blues, Urban Trial, "Plein les mirettes" (festival shows for youth), Festival of Jewish music, "La cour des Belges" (funny shows from Belgium), "Les guinguettes de l'Auzon" (music and dansing along Auzon river), several tours by artists, concerts and plays.

• Rivoli Cinema

  phone: +33 4 90 60 51 11
  address: 56, Avenue Victor Hugo
  independent cinema.

• Espace Auzon

  address: Rue Joseph Cugnot
  Auditorium, welcoming numerous tours of artists.

• Les Diablotins

  address: Rue Colbert
  It’s a fun activity for kids.

• Indoor public swimming pool

  address: Rue du Mont de Piété

• Public swimming pool

  address: 861 Avenue Pierre de Coubertin
  Water stage in the sports complex of Carpentras.

• Hippodrome of Saint-PonchonSeveral annual horse racing, and also circuit karts.

• Weekly Provençal market

  address: down town
  Carpentras is a staple of its Provençal market on Friday morning. It is installed in several streets of the historic center. In winter season, a truffle market is also organized. Free parking is set up near the municipal swimming pool, with a shuttle, also free, which connects the city center from 07:30 to 14:30.

• Truffle market

  address: in the courtyard of the Hôtel Dieu
  Direct sale from producer to consumer. The truffle season for melanosporum is from November to February. Carpentras hosts 2 markets on Friday morning, during this period: for professionals, at the Hôtel Dieu, and for individuals, near the tourist office. The end of spring and summer is the summer truffle season. Only the market for individuals, near the tourist office is proposed.

• Farmers Market

  address: Place Champsfleuri
  Agricultural market producers in the region: Fruits and vegetables, honey, plants, wines, etc.

• Passage BoyerIt dates from the mid nineteenth century. Also known as "glass street", this walkway includes luxury clothing boutiques.

• Clavel

  phone: +33 4 90 29 70 39
  address: Place Aristide Briand
  Specialities: Berlingot (French candy) and candied fruits.

Local specialty foods are Berlingot de Carpentras and strawberries.
Finding a dinner:

• Flunch

  address: Leclerc commercial center, bd Alfred Naquet
  Cheap cafeteria chain.

• Marché Gare restaurant

  phone: +33 4 90 63 19 00

• Restaurant de l'Univers

  phone: +33 4 90 63 55 29
  address: pl Aristide Briand

• La Perle d'Asie

  phone: +33 4 90 60 73 37
  address: 65 pl 25 août 1944
  Asian restaurant

• Chez Serge

  phone: +33 4 90 63 21 24
  address: 90 r Cottier

All area is speciales in wines production. You find three appellations: AOC Ventoux (between Carpentras and Mont Ventoux), Côtes-du-Rhône (Rhône valley area), Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise (north of Carpentras, near Dentelles de Montmirail).

• Camping Lou Comtadou

  address: 881 Av. Pierre de Coubertin

• Best Western - Le Comtadin

  phone: +33 4 90 67 75 00
  address: 65 bd Albin Durand

• Le Safari

  phone: +33 4 90 63 35 35
  address: 1060 av Jean Henri Fabre

• Le Malaga

  phone: +33 4 90 60 57 96
  address: 37 pl Maurice Charretier

• Le Coq Hardi

  phone: +33 4 90 63 00 35
  address: 36 pl Marotte
  also has a restaurant

• Post office

  address: rue de la poste

• Pôle Santé

  phone: +33 4 32 85 88 88
  address: 24 Rond-point de l'Amitié
  New place, open since 2002.

• Police stationContact: 17 (or 112 from cellular phone))

• Gendarmerie

  address: Avenue John F. Kennedy

• Avignon
• Mont Ventoux
• Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
• L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
• Orange
• Vaison-la-Romaine