Monuments to visit Provence

Dating back to 1670, the Hospice of Vieille-Charité was intended to house vagrants and orphans, after a royal edict on "the imprisonment of the poor and beggars". It was Pierre Puget, from Marseille, who became architect of the king, born a few metres away, who made the plans. The building is made up of vaulted galleries and three rows of arcades, with a little austere classic style. A chapel was constructed in the 17th century in the Roman baroque style. Restored after being abandoned for decades, becoming a place of storage for bananas, the architectural complex of this former leper colony now houses a polyculturel centre which includes museums (the museum of Mediterranean archaeology and the museum of African, Oceanian and Amerindian Arts), a library of art, a bookshop and numerous galleries where exhibitions are regularly held. A unique and peaceful place, located in the heart of the Panier district, where you can come to improve your knowledge or to simply stroll. Notice to photographers, the place is particularly beautiful when the sun goes down and the stone of the building takes pink tones.

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!