Waterwheel

Inspired by Celebrity Antiques Road Trip and armed with Euro400 each to squander on antiques, which we intend to sell at auction at a loss just like on the BBC TV show, we drove to the L'Isle sur la Sorgue, about an hour's drive from home. It was a wonderfully sunny day and although cold, did not feel like it. This tiny island, the size of a small village is on the river Sorgue, hence the name, and it is jam packed with pretty buildings. The village has spilled over to the mainland as the population has expanded over the centuries, so that it is not immediately obvious that it is an island at all, particularly as the stretch of waterway between the island and the mainland is very narrow. There are little bridges allowing pedestrian access to the island and dotted around the river, there are a working waterwheels that add to the charm.  

The town is famous for its antiques shops, of which there are very many, housed in the period houses, nestled around the little squares and courtyards. We had Magnus with us, so we were not exhaustive in our investigations, but peeking in, we could tell that the quality and variety of the antiques on display was very good.

On Thursdays and Sundays, there is market, which seems to fill every street that is capable of holding a stall, with the main market stretching along the waterfront of the island and into the streets and small squares of the interior. The items for sale vary as with other markets that we have visited, but with less foodstuffs and more clothing - new and vintage, linen, bath products, leatherware and soap products to name a few. It is more of a visitor's market than a local one. On Sunday only, there is also a flea market on the opposite bank of the river to the island, which was our main interest.

It was a glorious day and we sat outside for lunch at a small restaurant, called Mistral (closed on Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and half day Sunday!) on the banks of the island. Three course set meal was Euro29 each, with a glass of wine each, coffee and a bottle of water - total Euro79 and the quality was excellent.

Both of Pauline and I bagged a couple of bargains that we were happy with. All together a very satisfying day and certainly a town that we will visit again.