Street of Dyers (Rue de Teinturiers)

The Rue des Teinturiers is a lovely cobblestone lane that runs from the Rue des Lices to the city walls, following the little channel of the Sorgue.

The roadway is especially nice in the summer, shaded by the gigantic sycamores and cooled by the canal. During the Theatre Festival, you can kill time before a performance by visiting one of the many cafés and eateries. You can enjoy the fantastic ambiance from early morning until late at night, whether you are a theatergoer or just passing through. Discovering the background of this street and its inhabitants entails learning about the history of Avignon itself.

The Rue des Teinturiers, also known as the Waterwheel Street, receives its name from the thriving textile industry that existed here between the 14th and 19th centuries.

The street parallels the narrow Sorgue river, which is fed by the Fontaine de Vaucluse. This water filled the dams at the foot of the city walls in the 10th century before becoming the driving power of the textile mills beginning in 1440. Cotton print industries were established in the 16th century, employing cleaners, dyers, and tanners.

Four wheels are still standing as witnesses to the past. It may also be said that the Teinturiers and the street district alone embody practically the whole history of everyday life.

Let us continue our walk. The Bénoit XII Hall is controlled by the higher institute for performance methods, and the house of the great naturalist Jean-Henri Fabre may be found at number 14, behind an amazing water wheel, among the highly visited bars and restaurants.

The Maison du IV de Chiffre, built-in 1493 on the corner of the Rue Guillaume Puy, is one of Avignon's few remaining gothic mansions. It is crenelated, flanked by gargoyles, and has two turrets. It receives its name from a monogram etched on its façade, the mystery and significance of which have never been entirely addressed.