Cavaillon (French pronunciation: [kavajɔ̃] ; Occitan: Cavalhon) is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of Southeastern France. It is situated in the Durance Valley, at the foot of the Luberon mountains.
Cavaillon’s streets acquire a distinct cadence as the agricultural calendar shifts. In early autumn, when the famous melon harvest has passed, the town’s markets turn towards preserved delights—sun‑dried figs, honeyed apricots and local oil‑preserved anchovies—that showcase the region’s knack for extending summer flavours into winter. Conversely, late spring brings a burst of almond blossoms across the Luberon foothills, perfuming the air and prompting cafés to offer almond‑infused pastries that are absent elsewhere. Travelers who align their stay with these subtle transitions will taste a more nuanced side of Provençal cuisine, far from the typical summer fruit stalls most guidebooks spotlight.
While the central square draws most foot traffic, the quieter lanes north of the Durance offer a different perspective. Here, family‑run ateliers specialise in traditional pottery, using clays sourced from the riverbanks that give the wares a speckled, earthy hue. A short detour leads to a modest, community‑run vineyard that practices biodynamic methods on terraces overlooking the valley; the owner often welcomes visitors for an informal tasting, pairing each sip with locally foraged herbs. This side‑streets network provides a more intimate encounter with the craftspeople who sustain Cavaillon’s cultural fabric, away from the tourist‑centric storefronts.
When juxtaposed with its Luberon neighbours, Cavaillon strikes a balance between market town vitality and proximity to hill‑top charm. Unlike the overtly picturesque, tourism‑oriented villages of Gordes or Roussillon, Cavaillon retains a working‑city pulse—its weekly markets, municipal services and transport links render it a practical base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic sites. Yet, a short bus ride up to the Luberon ridge grants access to the same panoramic vistas that draw visitors to the more frequented hill towns. This duality makes Cavaillon an efficient launchpad for deeper regional immersion without the constant tourist presence.
For the town in Haiti, see Cavaillon (Haiti). Commune in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, FranceCavaillonCommuneA view of Cavaillon Coat of armsLocation of CavaillonCavaillonShow map of FranceCavaillonShow map of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurCoordinates: 43°50′15″N 5°02′17″E / 43.8375°N 5.0381°E / 43.8375; 5.0381CountryFranceRegionProvence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurDepartmentVaucluseArrondissementAptCantonCavaillonIntercommunalityCA Luberon Monts de VaucluseGovernment • Mayor (2020–2026) Gérard DaudetArea145.96 km2 (17.75 sq mi)Population (2023)25,636 • Density557.8/km2 (1,445/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)INSEE/Postal code84035 /84300Elevation49–200 m (161–656 ft) (avg. 75 m or 246 ft)1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. Cavaillon (French pronunciation: [kavajɔ̃] ⓘ; Occitan: Cavalhon) is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of Southeastern France. It is situated in the Durance Valley, at the foot of the Luberon mountains.
[edit] The Hôtel de Ville Cavaillon was already a city in the Gallo-Roman period, and has several minor relics from that era, including a 1st century triumphal arch. Other minor relics of the Roman period have been found to the south of the town, on the site of the ancient Cabellio. It was the seat of the bishops of Cavaillon from the 4th century until the French Revolution. Saint Veran was bishop here in the 6th century, and the 12th-century cathedral is dedicated to him. In the Middle Ages Cavaillon was part of the Comtat Venaissin. The Hôtel de Ville was completed in 1753.
[edit] Cavaillon is part of the Regional and Natural Park of Luberon (parc naturel régional du Luberon) in the French Department of Vaucluse. The Calavon, a tributary of the Durance locally called Coulon, flows westward through the middle of the commune. The Durance forms the commune's south-western border.
[edit] Historical populationYearPop.±% p.a.1793 5,193—    1800 5,192−0.00%1806 5,750+1.72%1821 6,360+0.67%1831 6,911+0.83%1836 7,041+0.37%1841 7,195+0.43%1846 7,428+0.64%1851 7,405−0.06%1856 7,431+0.07%1861 7,779+0.92%1866 8,034+0.65%1872 8,034+0.00%1876 8,454+1.28%1881 8,591+0.32%1886 9,144+1.26%1891 9,077−0.15%1896 9,405+0.71%1901 9,850+0.93%YearPop.±% p.a.1906 9,952+0.21%1911 9,416−1.10%1921 8,991−0.46%1926 10,451+3.06%1931 11,743+2.36%1936 12,522+1.29%1946 13,804+0.98%1954 14,831+0.90%1962 17,058+1.76%1968 18,544+1.40%1975 21,259+1.97%1982 20,615−0.44%1990 23,102+1.43%1999 24,563+0.68%2007 25,596+0.52%2012 25,289−0.24%2017 26,641+1.05%2023 25,636−0.64%Source: EHESS and INSEE (1968-2023)
[edit] Cavaillon is famous for its melons, as well as other early fruits and vegetables.
[edit] Saint César de Bus Castil-Blaze, French musicologist, Music critic and Composer Luc Bulot, French palaeontologist Pierre Salinger, press secretary to U.S. President John F. Kennedy, U.S. Senator from California, Paris bureau chief for ABC News
[edit] the 11th-13th century Cavaillon Cathedral Colline Saint-Jacques, with chapel Roman triumphal arch the 15th-18th century synagogue, housing the Jewish Museum
[edit] Cavaillon has been twinned with Weinheim, Germany, since 1958 and Langhirano, Italy, since 2001.
[edit] Climate data for Cavaillon (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1962–present) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 20.5(68.9) 22.3(72.1) 27.1(80.8) 29.8(85.6) 34.1(93.4) 37.5(99.5) 39.0(102.2) 38.9(102.0) 35.0(95.0) 29.4(84.9) 26.5(79.7) 20.3(68.5) 39.0(102.2) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 9.9(49.8) 11.7(53.1) 15.6(60.1) 18.6(65.5) 23.2(73.8) 27.2(81.0) 30.5(86.9) 29.8(85.6) 25.0(77.0) 19.9(67.8) 13.6(56.5) 10.2(50.4) 19.6(67.3) Daily mean °C (°F) 5.3(41.5) 6.6(43.9) 9.9(49.8) 12.7(54.9) 17.0(62.6) 20.7(69.3) 23.5(74.3) 23.0(73.4) 19.0(66.2) 14.8(58.6) 9.1(48.4) 5.9(42.6) 14.0(57.2) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 0.7(33.3) 1.4(34.5) 4.2(39.6) 6.9(44.4) 10.7(51.3) 14.2(57.6) 16.6(61.9) 16.2(61.2) 12.9(55.2) 9.6(49.3) 4.6(40.3) 1.6(34.9) 8.3(46.9) Record low °C (°F) −17.0(1.4) −19.0(−2.2) −11.5(11.3) −2.1(28.2) 0.0(32.0) 4.0(39.2) 7.2(45.0) 6.6(43.9) 2.0(35.6) −4.2(24.4) −9.2(15.4) −20.0(−4.0) −20.0(−4.0) Average precipitation mm (inches) 48.3(1.90) 37.5(1.48) 38.9(1.53) 64.5(2.54) 57.7(2.27) 34.1(1.34) 19.2(0.76) 44.3(1.74) 96.5(3.80) 91.0(3.58) 69.4(2.73) 51.6(2.03) 653.0(25.71) Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 5.6 5.1 4.8 7.1 6.1 4.2 2.3 3.3 5.2 7.4 6.6 5.9 63.5 Source: Meteociel