5 Unmissable Things to See and Do in Carpentras
Discover five unmissable things to see and do in Carpentras, a characterful Provençal town packed with history, local flavours and plenty of southern French charm.
1. MUSÉE L’INGUIMBERTINE
The city hospital until the mid-19th century, this elegant 18th-century building was declared an historic monument in 1862 and was fully restored between 2009 and 2024 to house a state-of-the-art library and museum. The exceptional collection tells the story of the Comtat Venaissin from prehistory, the Greeks and Romans, and the reign of the French popes, to modern times. The building also houses a bookstore, a café, a terrace with views of the Mont Ventoux, and a spacious courtyard that serves as an open-air cultural space for pop, classical and jazz concerts.
2. ANCIENT SYNAGOGUE
Set unobtrusively in a corner of a square in Carpentras’ old town, the oldest synagogue in constant operation in France (dating from 1367), and among the oldest in Europe, is testament to the popes’ protection of the Papal Jews in Carpentras and nearby L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Cavaillon. The synagogue of today was built over the original 14th-century foundations and the Baroque-style sanctuary dates from the18th century, when the Jews of Carpentras were finally permitted to rebuild the synagogue. Guided visits are by reservation only.
3. CATHÉDRALE SAINT-SIFFREIN AND ARC ROMAIN
Built between 1409 and 1514 over three earlier churches, this was the seat of the bishops of Carpentras until 1801. Conceived mainly in the Gothic style, its remaining 12th-century tower, 17th-century classical doorway and 20th-century bell tower make for an incongruous but elegant structure. Leaning against the cathedral’s northern end, the Arc Romain, an ancient triumphal arch dating from the 1st century AD, commemorates the victory of Rome over the barbarians.
4. SEASONAL MARKETS & FESTIVALS
Carpentras’ lively Friday morning market (8am–12.30pm) is one of the largest and most colourful in the region, spanning several blocks under tall plane trees at the Parking Platanes on Avenue Jean Jaurès and in the old town. You’ll find a bit of everything Provençal here: flowers, pottery, spices, soaps, linens, lavender products and much more. At the Marché des Producteurs in Square Champeville on Tuesday evenings (4.45pm–7pm), local farmers, small producers and artisans sell wine, local cheeses, bread, olive oil, jams and honey. The truffle market, from mid-November to mid-March, is held at Place Aristide Briand.
5. REGIONAL SPECIALITIES
At Pâtisserie Jouvaud and Confiserie Clavel you’ll find all the local sweets: berlingots, rose- and coquelicot-flavoured hard candies, local candied fruit, Calissons d’Aix, Provençal biscuits and handmade chocolates. A short walk outside the old town, at the Confiserie Mont Ventoux, you can see the berlingots being made. Fromagerie Mercy is the place for seasonal local goat’s cheeses and other local specialities, including truffles. For great coffee, head to Torréfacteur Café d’Antan.
