L'Isle Sur la Sorgue, a town of 18,000 inhabitants, is located at the heart of Vaucluse, 25km S-E of Avignon. It is called the "Venise Comtadine"; "Venise" because the resemblances with "Serenissme" are numerous. The town was built on piles in the swamps in the 12th century. The cannels cross and surround it. "Comtadine" because L'Isle Sur La Sorgue has for a long time been the most importants city of the "Comtat Venaissin". The arrival of the Popes in Avignon during the whole 14th Century was, without doubt, favourable for the prosperity of L'Isle Sur La Sorgue. It has become the domaine of antique dealers and brocante merchants over the years.