The small town of Le Thor, whose origins go back to the High Middle Ages, is referred to for the first time in a document from 1125. The church in Le Thor, Notre-Dame-du-Lac, is a true jewel of Romanesque architecture.
This lovely church was built in the late 12th century on the banks of the Sorgue river and is reflected in its clear flowing waters. Its architecture has remained intact, and the convex intersecting ribs upholding the arch testify to the progress made in the Romanesque building techniques. The church is also famous for the profuse sculpted décor with many references to ancient themes. The highly elaborate southern portal is much admired.
There remain a few vestiges of the ramparts which originally surrounded the town center, including one entrance door, which was renovated in 1847 to hold the town clock and a splendid wrought iron campanile. The medieval castle, which goes back to the 12th century, has been restored over the centuries.
Two kilometers from Le Thor lies Thouzon hill, site of human settlement since the Neolithic Age. The ruins of a fortified monastery, called the “château de Thouzon”, and two lovely Romanesque chapels, Sainte-Marie and Saint Pierre, stand at the peak of the hill. A splendid cave full of beautiful concretions lies at the base of the hill, in the calcareous outcrop from the Neocomian stage. This cave, 230 meters long, is the only cave developed for visitors in Provence. It was discovered in 1902 by quarry workers extracting the stone nearby.
Maison de Tourisme Le Thor - Chateauneuf Place du 11 Novembre 84250 Le Thor Tél. : 04 90 33 92 31 Monday : 14h - 18h from Tuesday to Friday : 9h30 –12h15 et 14h – 18h Saturday : 9h30 - 12h15 Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays.
This lovely church was built in the late 12th century on the banks of the Sorgue river and is reflected in its clear flowing waters. Its architecture has remained intact, and the convex intersecting ribs upholding the arch testify to the progress made in the Romanesque building techniques. The church is also famous for the profuse sculpted décor with many references to ancient themes. The highly elaborate southern portal is much admired.
Two kilometers from Le Thor lies Thouzon hill, site of human settlement since the Neolithic Age. The ruins of a fortified monastery, called the “château de Thouzon”, and two lovely Romanesque chapels, Sainte-Marie and Saint Pierre, stand at the peak of the hill. A splendid cave full of beautiful concretions lies at the base of the hill, in the calcareous outcrop from the Neocomian stage. This cave, 230 meters long, is the only cave developed for visitors in Provence. It was discovered in 1902 by quarry workers extracting the stone nearby