Pertuis

Pertuis is a commune with 19 033 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Vaucluse and the Provence- Alpes- Côte d' Azur. Pertuis is the capital of the Pays d' Aigues landscape and represent the only municipality in the Vaucluse département in the community association Communauté d' agglomération du Pays d' Aix. The municipality is part of the Luberon Regional Nature Park.

Location

Pertuis is located in the valley of the Durance to the south of the Luberon Mountains at an altitude of about 200 meters above sea level. inst and about 23 km ( driving distance ) north of Aix -en- Provence or a good 80 kilometers southeast of Avignon.

Demographics

As a result of migration from the rural regions of southern France, the population of Pertuis has risen significantly in recent decades.

Economy

Pertuis and its surroundings were always dominated by agriculture already to a large extent, the location also served as craft, market and service center itself. With the presence of the Popes in Avignon near losing more and more arable land were being converted to vineyards, so that in the year 1369 had to be proclaimed a 20 year valid stop the creation of new vineyards. With the development of their glass and textile industries Pertuis already counted in 1765 to 3,500 inhabitants; In the 19th century it rose to the canton capital. The construction of the suspension bridge and the station gave the city a strong economic boost. The agriculture around Pertuis was favored by the irrigation of the Durance Valley. The vineyards in the area include today for the wine-growing region of the Cotes du Luberon (AOC ).

History

The town of Pertuis was founded in the year 981. It was located near the first ferry across the Durance and thus in an important passage between the lower and upper Provence. During the Middle Ages led the Abbey Montmajour and the Count of Provence and Forcalquier fierce battles around the city before it was occupied in the 14th century by various roving mercenary bands of the Hundred Years War. After the siege by royal troops in 1427, the town was eventually incorporated into the Kingdom of France. The old castle, built in the twelfth century, was destroyed in 1596. Only the converted into a belfry Donjon remained. Larger scale reconstruction measures led to the breakdown of several roads and the destruction of the city walls.

Policy

Politically tends the community as the entire region for Political Rights, but to a lesser extent, at local level tend to be quite left candidates, such as the Socialist Party, was elected. Since 2008, however, is Roger Pellenc of the UMP mayor.

Attractions

On the Place Mirabeau, near the belfry, the church Saint -Nicolas stands. It consists of two parallel longhouses, which is equipped with side chapels. Along the narrow streets are many interesting houses, which are subjected to at the time of renovation. In the Rue de la Durance 77, behind the Town Hall, a large house with an elegant façade from the 18th century. In the vaulted cellar La Voûte of Arts from the 16th century regularly hosts cultural events. From the Place de l'Ange Rue leads Vaillante the Tour Saint -Jacques, a remnant of the medieval city walls, only a few traces are available from the.

West of the tower is reached by the Rue Droite at an old craftsman house from the 16th century past. In the Rue Boileau 6 is a house with a Renaissance facade. From the Petite Rue on Rue Francois Morel towards Place Mirabeau you see the Built around 1585 Maison de la reine Jeanne, but which is in pretty bad shape at the time.

Tour Saint -Jacques

Donjon

Maison Reine Jeanne

Famous residents

• Michèle Torr ( born 1947 ), singer
• Cyril Rool ( b. 1975 ), football player