L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

French commune
nomcommune=L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
View of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
région=Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur|département=Vaucluse
arrondissement=Avignon
canton=L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
(chief town)
insee=84054
cp=84800
maire=Michel Fuillet (PS)
mandat=2001-2008
intercomm=Pays des Sorgues et des Monts de Vaucluse
longitude=5.054856
latitude=43.919886
alt mini=52 m
alt maxi=246 m
hectares=4 457
km²=44,57
sans=21 000
date-sans=2003
dens=471

L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a commune in the Vaucluse "département" in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur "région".

It is famous for its many antiques shops, and hosts antique markets most Sundays. L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a small town with many waterside cafés and restaurants, all within walking distance of each other.

L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is twinned with the town of Penicuik in Midlothian Scotland.

History

Originally known as "Insula", the town officially adopted the name of "L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue" on 18 August, 1890, taking the latter part of their name from the river Sorgue, to which they owed much. As early as the 12th century, the river served them defensively as a moat around ramparts which surrounded the city until 1795. The river also served as a source of food and industry: fishing and artisan mills for oil, wheat, silk, paper, woolenry, rugs and dyeing. A busy commerce developed until there were two annual fairs and two weekly markets. The current Thursday open-air market had its start on 9 November, 1596.

References

http://www.mairie-islesurlasorgue.fr/historique.html