Monuments to visit Vaucluse

It is the only vestige (12th century) of the castle of the Counts of Toulouse fell into the lap of the terrible Maingre that reigned terror in the Mont Ventoux area in the 15th century. Watchtower at the time of the Popes, then the clock and bell with wrought iron were added, and that were supposed to represent the silhouette of Queen Jeanne, wife of the brother of Saint Louis. At top is a weather vane depicting a mouse chased by a cat. It gave birth to two Pernois sayings: "It is high as the cat of Pernes" and "it is in the middle like the cat of Pernes". This old dungeon also hosted the prisons of the city. The gallows still stands. They can be seen during a guided tour within the tourist office). You can access a panoramic terrace offering stunning views of the countryside and comtadine of Mount Ventoux, by taking a lovely calade and a rather steep staircase!

A must, this 12th-century tower contains a rare pictorial decoration. On two floors, you can discover medieval frescoes of the 13th century that have been remarkably preserved which tells the adventures and struggles led by Charles d'Anjou - brother of Saint Louis - in southern Italy, in the manner of a life-size cartoon. Its central character, Charles Anjou, is particularly well represented with his royal crown and white dress covered with lilies.

It was housed in the episcopal palace in 1801, and was rebuilt in 1646 in a Roman style: prominent balconies, bossed pilasters, enormous ledges... It contains admirable decors painted by Romanelli in the 17th century. Place du Palais, known as "Sextier", was bordered to the West by the convent of the Ursulines whose prayers were sometimes disturbed by turmoil of the daily life. Mgr Buti wrote a letter to the pope Innocent XII on 23 August 1694, complaining that young people play ball on the place - so that the nuns and the pupils could hear the licentious, obscene and sacrileges words of the players, but also see them playing fully stripped of their clothing. So, the vice-legate prohibited the ball game, on penalty of a fine of 100 crowns.