Introduction
For the Renaissance composer of the same name, see Carpentras (composer).
Subprefecture and commune in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, FranceCarpentrasSubprefecture and communeThe Hôtel de Ville
Coat of armsLocation of CarpentrasCarpentrasShow map of FranceCarpentrasShow map of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurCoordinates: 44°03′21″N 5°02′56″E / 44.0558°N 05.0489°E / 44.0558; 05.0489CountryFranceRegionProvence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurDepartmentVaucluseArrondissementCarpentrasCantonCarpentrasIntercommunalityCA Ventoux-Comtat VenaissinGovernment • Mayor (2020–2026) Serge AndrieuArea137.92 km2 (14.64 sq mi)Population (2023)31,619 • Density833.8/km2 (2,160/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)INSEE/Postal code84031 /84200Elevation56–212 m (184–696 ft) (avg. 95 m or 312 ft)1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Carpentras (French pronunciation: [kaʁpɑ̃tʁa], formerly [kaʁpɑ̃tʁas]; Provençal Occitan: Carpentràs in classical norm or Carpentras in Mistralian norm; Latin: Carpentoracte) is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.
As capital of the Comtat Venaissin, it was frequently the residence of the Avignon popes; the Papal States retained possession of the Venaissin until the French Revolution. Nowadays, Carpentras is a commercial center for Comtat Venaissin and is famous for the black truffle markets held from winter to early spring.
Carpentras briefly held France's all-time high-temperature record, during the heatwave of June 2019.
History
[edit]
Classical antiquity[edit]
The Carpentras Stele, found in the town in 1704, was the first Northwest Semitic (i.e. Canaanite or Aramaic) inscription published anywhere in modern times.
Carpentras was a commercial site used by Greek merchants in ancient times, and known to Romans at first as Carpentoracte Meminorum, mentioned by Pliny, then renamed Forum Neronis ("Forum of Nero"); the city retains a Roman triumphal arch, that has been enclosed by the bishops' palace, rebuilt in 1640, now a law court, and a machicolated city gate, the Porte d'Orange.
Hôtel-Dieu in Carpentras
Ancient Diocese of Carpentras[edit]
For the history of the bishopric of Carpentras, see Ancient Diocese of Carpentras.
Middle Ages[edit]
At the beginning of the Avignon Papacy, Pope Clement V took up residence, along with the Roman Curia, in Carpentras in 1313. His successor, Pope John XXII, settled definitively at Avignon.
The Hôtel de Ville and the Hôtel-Dieu[edit]
The original north-facing section of the Hôtel de Ville on Rue des Halles was completed in around 1740.
The Hôtel-Dieu on Place Aristide Briand was commissioned by Joseph-Dominique d'Inguimbert for use as a hospital and was built between 1750 and 1760. It now accommodates the Bibliothèque Inguimbertine which Jean-François Delmas, the chief librarian, has called "the oldest of our municipal libraries".
French Revolution and return to France[edit]
Until 1791, Carpentras was part of the Papal States, not of the Kingdom of France.
Like most communities across France, Carpentras played a role in the 1789-1799 French Revolution, particularly during the rule of the French Directory. After the 'Anti-Royalist' September 4, 1797 Coup of 18 Fructidor, on October 22, 1797, counter-revolutionaries attacked the Hôtel de Ville.
Jewish community[edit]
Main article: Papal Jews
Into the 20th and 21st centuries, Carpentras has been an important centre of French Judaism and is home to the oldest synagogue in France, which opened in 1367. The Jewish cemetery was desecrated by members of the French and European Nationalist Party in May 1990, causing a public uproar and a demonstration in Paris that was attended by 200,000 people, including then-president François Mitterrand.
Population
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Historical populationYearPop.±% p.a.1793 9,900—    1800 8,489−2.17%1806 9,674+2.20%1821 9,099−0.41%1831 9,817+0.76%1836 9,224−1.24%1841 9,776+1.17%1846 10,198+0.85%1851 10,711+0.99%1856 10,891+0.33%1861 10,918+0.05%1866 10,848−0.13%1872 10,524−0.50%1876 10,479−0.11%1881 9,699−1.54%1886 9,685−0.03%1891 9,778+0.19%1896 10,797+2.00%1901 10,443−0.66%YearPop.±% p.a.1906 10,721+0.53%1911 11,390+1.22%1921 11,191−0.18%1926 11,805+1.07%1931 12,632+1.36%1936 13,732+1.68%1946 14,222+0.35%1954 15,076+0.73%1962 18,199+2.38%1968 21,388+2.73%1975 24,251+1.81%1982 24,838+0.34%1990 24,212−0.32%1999 26,090+0.83%2007 28,526+1.12%2012 28,520−0.00%2017 28,309−0.15%2023 31,619+1.86%Source: EHESS and INSEE (1968–2023)
Geography
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Carpentras stands on the banks of the river Auzon, a tributary of the Sorgue. It is 23 km southwest of Mont Ventoux, and 23 km northeast of Avignon. Carpentras station has rail connections to Sorgues and Avignon.
Climate[edit]
In the Köppen climate classification, Carpentras has a borderline humid subtropical (Cfa), and hot-summer mediterranean climate (Csa) with cool winters and hot summers. The rainiest seasons are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October), where heavy downpours may happen.
Climate data for Carpentras (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1963–present)
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high °C (°F)
21.0(69.8)
23.1(73.6)
28.1(82.6)
30.8(87.4)
35.4(95.7)
44.3(111.7)
41.6(106.9)
42.2(108.0)
36.0(96.8)
31.2(88.2)
24.9(76.8)
21.5(70.7)
44.3(111.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
11.1(52.0)
12.8(55.0)
17.1(62.8)
20.4(68.7)
24.6(76.3)
29.1(84.4)
32.3(90.1)
31.9(89.4)
26.4(79.5)
21.1(70.0)
15.0(59.0)
11.3(52.3)
21.1(70.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)
6.1(43.0)
6.9(44.4)
10.5(50.9)
13.6(56.5)
17.7(63.9)
21.7(71.1)
24.4(75.9)
24.0(75.2)
19.5(67.1)
15.3(59.5)
9.9(49.8)
6.5(43.7)
14.7(58.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
1.0(33.8)
1.1(34.0)
4.0(39.2)
6.9(44.4)
10.8(51.4)
14.4(57.9)
16.5(61.7)
16.1(61.0)
12.7(54.9)
9.5(49.1)
4.9(40.8)
1.8(35.2)
8.3(46.9)
Record low °C (°F)
−15.4(4.3)
−12.5(9.5)
−11.8(10.8)
−2.9(26.8)
0.1(32.2)
4.4(39.9)
7.6(45.7)
6.7(44.1)
2.2(36.0)
−3.1(26.4)
−9.0(15.8)
−12.0(10.4)
−15.4(4.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches)
46.3(1.82)
34.2(1.35)
41.3(1.63)
61.1(2.41)
55.6(2.19)
41.7(1.64)
25.7(1.01)
40.6(1.60)
98.7(3.89)
87.6(3.45)
90.8(3.57)
41.9(1.65)
665.5(26.20)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)
5.9
4.8
5.1
6.8
6.3
4.5
3.0
3.7
5.5
6.6
7.9
5.6
65.8
Mean monthly sunshine hours
151.4
173.1
229.6
243.9
285.1
328.0
363.0
326.7
257.2
190.6
148.6
138.1
2,835.3
Source: Meteociel
Economy
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This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (April 2023)
Roux Graineterie of Carpentras
Traditions
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Truffle market in Carpentras
Carpentras is famous for the truffle market that takes place every Friday morning during the winter months.
Its traditional confectionery is the berlingot, a small hard candy with thin white stripes, originally made from the syrup left over from conservation of fruits.
Personalities
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Carpentras was the birthplace of (chronologically):
Carpentras (also known as Elzéar Genet) (c.1470–1548), prominent early Renaissance composer
Hercule Audiffret (1603–1659), orator and Superior General of the Congrégation des Doctrinaires
Louis Archimbaud (1705–1789), composer and organist of Carpentras Cathedral
Joseph Duplessis (1725–1802), portraitist
Jean-Pierre-Xavier Bidauld (1743–1813), painter
Jean-Joseph-Xavier Bidauld (1758–1846), painter
Alexis-Vincent-Charles Berbiguier de Terre-Neuve du Thym, (1765–1851), author and demonologist
Victor Olivier de Puymanel (1768–1799), French Navy volunteer, and adventurer in Vietnam
François-Vincent Raspail (1794–1878), chemist, physiologist, and socialist
Jean-Joseph Bonaventure Laurens (1801–1890), painter, lithographer, musician
Édouard Daladier (1884–1970), politician and Prime Minister of France at the start of the Second World War
Daniel Lazard (1941–), computer scientist
Bruno Boscherie (1950–), fencer, Olympic Gold medalist
Christophe Maé (1975–), musician and composer
Éric Salignon (1982–), racing driver
Thomas Mangani (1987–), professional footballer
Raphaël Cacérès (1987–), professional footballer
International relations
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See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France
Carpentras is twinned with:
Vevey, Switzerland
Seesen, Germany
Ponchatoula, Louisiana, USA
Camaiore, Italy
