Le Thor
The Beauty of the Sorgue
Le Thor is a French commune located in the Vaucluse department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. It is known for its historical heritage, including its 12th-century Romanesque church and its suspension bridge spanning the Sorgue River. Le Thor is also renowned for its natural landscapes, fruit orchards, and outdoor activities. It is a popular destination for tourists seeking authenticity and tranquility.
To discover
in Le Thor
5 Reasons to Visit Le Thor
Its 11th-century castle.
The cave located at the foot of the castle.
Its Notre-Dame-du-Lac Church.
The Sorgue River that flows through the town.
Its few remaining water mills, last vestiges of a bygone era.
Vacationing in Le Thor
Le Thor is filled with a variety of activities to help you relax during your vacation: visiting the castle and its surroundings, exploring various medieval religious buildings, walking or cycling along the Sorgue River, and, of course, discovering the local cuisine are just a few examples of what this charming village has to offer.
Summer Holidays
The Château de Thouzon, which dominates the surroundings of Le Thor, is not really a castle. It is actually a fortified monastery that received its independence as a gift from Count Raymond IV of Toulouse, to bring him luck before his departure for the Crusades. Used several times as a strategic post to observe the surroundings, this building is now largely in ruins, with only a section of the wall and two structures still standing. The first is the Romanesque Church of Sainte-Marie, easily recognizable by its large tower, which was probably part of the fortifications. The second is the Chapel of Saint-Pierre, built in the 11th century. As it was a fortified place, the building is very small, with thick walls and only a tiny window. Inside one of these buildings, a 15th-century triptych in two parts (since the center is missing) was discovered in 1870.
Not far from the castle, you can visit the Thouzon Caves. Discovered in 1902 when a group of miners blew up a section of the wall, this 230-meter-long cavity was formed by erosion: the underground river that once flowed through it took over a million years to carve it out before disappearing. Today, visitors walk along the bed of this fossilized watercourse. The many stalactites and stalagmites visible in the cave are a true work of patience: it takes about 100 years for water to reach the cave from the surface and turn into droplets, then about 20 minutes for it to slide and fall from the stalactite. The family who owns the land decided to organize tours in 1981, and it is still their descendants who manage the site.
Your Holiday Home in Le Thor
- 10 pers.
- Pool, Jacuzzi
From
9600€
to
11300€
/ week
- 10 pers.
- Heated pool, Fitness
From
5000€
to
8500€
/ week
If it’s raining outside, why not head to the Jean-Moulin Auditorium? Many shows are held there throughout the year: theater, circus, dance, and jazz concerts, to name a few.
Golf Courses Nearby
Places to Visit in Le Thor
Thanks to its location, not too far from the Alpilles, the Luberon, or Avignon, as well as its proximity to the Sorgue River, Le Thor has many interesting sights to show, both within the village and in the surrounding areas.
Family Holidays
The Notre-Dame-du-Lac Church in Le Thor is a Romanesque cathedral built at the end of the 12th century. Recognized early on as an architectural marvel, it was listed as a historical monument in 1840. With its decorated porches and octagonal bell tower, the church truly stands out from other churches of the same era. Numerous carved heads are also scattered around the exterior of the church. A legend surrounds its name: a bull is said to have knelt repeatedly at the edge of the lake that served as a watering hole. Intrigued, some men entered the water and discovered a statue of the Virgin Mary. This event not only named the church but also influenced the design of the village’s coat of arms.
Romantic Getaway
On a hot and sunny day, take a stroll through the “castrum,” the name used to designate the old town center, or the “ancient center” as it is called today. Many old buildings await you, including the town’s belfry. Built around 1844, the clock tower crowns the last of the four fortified gates, the Douzabas Gate, commonly known as the Notre-Dame Gate. With its 4-meter width and over 7-meter height, it is a highlight of the center, with its bell marking the rhythm of the inhabitants’ lives since August 15, 1846.
Vacation with Your Dog
What better way to offer a walk to your furry companion than to explore the town’s main buildings? Starting from the market square, right next to the Belfry, the trail “Le Thor and the Château de Thouzon” takes you through the most beautiful attractions of Le Thor. Among them are the old Garancine mill, a remnant from when the town used madder to dye clothes, the Albert Camus islet, a small piece of land surrounded by the Sorgue River and connected by a lovely bridge, the Mas de Poule, a fully restored former stud farm, and finally, the lavender fields, which stretch endlessly under the blue sky! A 7-kilometer loop on an easy path that shouldn’t pose too many problems, even if you’re not an experienced hiker. Many open fields will also allow you to let your four-legged companion run freely without any constraints.
Getting to Le Thor
Le Thor is bordered by the D901 road.
To visit Provence, the airports in Marseille, Montpellier, and Nice are the most recommended.
The Avignon TGV station offers TER trains that go directly to Le Thor Station. Bus line 906 also takes you there.
Numerous mountain biking trails are available within the commune.
Nearby Towns to Le Thor
- Châteauneuf-de-Gadage: Approximately 4 kilometers.
- Velleron: Approximately 4 kilometers.
- L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue: Approximately 5 kilometers.
- Jonquerettes: Approximately 5 kilometers.
- Caumont-sur-Durance: Approximately 5 kilometers.
Time in Provence has selected the best restaurants in the region for you.
Le Thor, History, Traditions, and Culture
“Le Thort (note the different spelling from today) is such an old town that its origin is unknown, as it was founded before the empire and the reign of Charlemagne.” This is how François de Brugeron, tasked with inventorying the Lordship, described the town in 1696. Indeed, it is difficult to create an accurate portrait of the town’s evolution. A tomb and some carvings have been discovered in the area, indicating that Gallo-Roman tribes may have lived nearby, but nothing more. The current town was likely founded in the 7th century, although the first solid constructions date from the late 11th to early 12th century. Even the name of the town is still a subject of debate! Considering the coat of arms and the local legend of the Virgin Mary statue, many have suggested that “Le Thor” comes from “Taurus,” the bull. But the town (which has changed names many times over the years: Torum (1029) – Castrum de Toro (1125) – Thori (1161) – In Castro de Thoro (1171) – Toro (1253) – Thorum (1309) – Thort (1696)), could have a name more related to its position near the Sorgue River. Indeed, a curve in a river was called a “torus,” and the riverbed was called the “thorus.” Additionally, the names “Tor,” “Thor,” or “Thort” are very common in villages built near marshes, ponds, or lakes. So, does the name come from the bull or the river? It’s up to you to decide! When thinking of the south, one often associates it with grapes. Among all the producers of this fruit, Le Thor was the most important: in 1928, Vaucluse exported 38 million kilos, with 20 million coming directly from Le Thor. The village was one of the first to specialize entirely in grapes and ensure year-round production by using different varieties. “Blue Portuguese” in early August, “Golden Chasselas” from August 15 until early September, “Cinsaut” from late August to late September, and finally, from mid-September to November, “Gros Vert.” Although these were the most common varieties, records show that other varieties such as Servan, Œillade, and Dattier de Beyrouth were also sold in local markets. From all of this, the village has created a festival that takes place on September 15 and 16, during the European Heritage Days. During these two days, many activities are offered to the curious public who want to learn more about the town, both architecturally and historically, allowing them to better understand the “World Capital of Chasselas,” a title acquired in the 1930s.