The little provincial town of Cavaillon - a center of melon-growing and of the canning industry - lies on the right bank of the Durance and on the western edge of the Montagne du Lubéron.
In the center of Cavaillon stands the notable former Cathedral of St-Véran, which was probably founded in the 12th century, as indicated by its Romanesque Provençal architecture. Its exterior is rather less attractive, but inside can be seen beautiful capitals in the apse and a fine cloister.
Hours:
April 1 to September 30: 10am-12pm, 3pm-6pm; Mon:10am-12pm, 2pm-4pm; Closed: Sun
October 1 to March 31: 10am-12pm; Mon:2pm-4pm; Closed: Sun, Sun
In the chapel of the old hospital on the Cours Gambetta in Cavaillon, with its Roccoco facade, can be found the Archeological Museum with exhibits mainly from the Gallo-Roman period, including an interesting Merovingian altar-table. One room contains some interesting items of equipment from the old hospital dating from the 17th and 18th C.
The beautiful synagogue on Place Castil-Blaze is easily recognized by its arcades. Built in the Roccoco style in 1772 it was later altered on many occasions and today houses the little Musée Judéo-Contadin, or Jewish Museum, which is not open to the public.
Southwest of St-Véran, in the Place F. Tourel on the edge of Cavaillon, can be found the only preserved building of the Roman era, the little triumphal arch of the former Roman Oppidum Cabellio. It was restored in 1880.
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Cavaillon, Avignon
