History of Pernes les Fontaines
Walk in the vestige of the past! Come and relive the history of Pernes-les-Fontaines by letting yourself be guided by the whispers of the famous fountains and the size of the monuments.
In the early 90s, archaeological dig uncovered the remains of Gallo-Roman villas near Nesque, upstream from the current city. One of these domains was managed by an owner named “Paternus”. From its name then resulted that of Paternae and then of Pernes.
In 968, the small town of Pernes became the capital of Comtat Venaissin. It first developed on the right bank of the Nesque, before later uniting on the left bank, on the hillside overlooking the Nesque.
Between 1125 and 1274, the Comtat Venaissin was ruled by the Counts of Toulouse. In the 12th century, they built a solemn fortress on the hill at the heart of the town. The current "Tour de l’Horloge" was its keep.
In 1274, the Comtat Venaissin was passed on the Popes and a rector was appointed to administer all the powers of the Popes on their behalf.
In 1320, the rector chose to establish his residence in Carpentras and the capital of Comtat was transferred there. Pernes continued to thrive over the centuries.
The 16th and 17th centuries gave us several mansions. The magnificence of the city in modern times has earned it its nickname “la Perle du Comtat”.
In 1791, the day after the French Revolution, the Comtadins voted to unificate the Comtat Venaissin to France and to the Republic.
