L'oreille, Ile sur la Sorgue

We arrived in L'isle sur la Sorgue on a cool morning in autumn, to visit the bustling Sunday market. The market is lively and colourful, with many interesting stalls selling all kinds of goods - from fruit and vegetables to mattresses and antiques. The hustle and bustle of the crisp autumn morning added to the magic of this small town, along with the vibrant colours of the market stalls and the friendly banter of stallholders and shoppers alike.

The centre of the town, as the name implies, is set on an island in the river Sorgue. Here the market is held, and to reach it we must cross one of the several pedestrian bridges over la Sorgue.

As we explore the town we cross yet another bridge, and as we approach we notice people on the bridge gazing with intent into the river.

Coming closer, we too peer into the shallow waters... to see a large flat stone lying beneath the surface of the water, on the river-bed... and shaped like a huge ear!

The depressions in the stone is full of coins - the offerings of countless local pilgrims who visit each week, as well as of those surprised 'pilgrims' like ourselves, who have discovered this strange site quite by chance.

Where did this curious ear-shaped rock come from? ...and why was it here? Perhaps we may return one day, to find out more about L'Oreille in the waters at l'Isle sur la Sorgue.