Apt, Vaucluse

Apt

Apt is a town in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. It sits on the left side of the Calavon River, about 41 miles (66 km) east of Avignon.

Apt is the main town of the lovely Luberon mountains. This area is famous for its pretty villages and beautiful natural scenery.

The town is important to science because it gave its name to the Aptian age. This was a time long, long ago during the Early Cretaceous period. It helps scientists learn about Earth's past and the animals that lived millions of years before humans.

Geography

Apt is north of Aix-en-Provence and the river Durance. It is in the valley of the river Calavon, also called the Coulon, near the Luberon mountain.

Climate

Apt has a mediterranean climate that is close to a humid subtropical climate. The town usually has about 68 days each year where the temperature drops below 0 °C (32 °F). It also has a few very cold days and many warm days each year. The highest temperature ever recorded in Apt was 43.9 °C (111 °F) in June 2019, and the coldest was −14.9 °C (5.2 °F) in February 2012.

Geological age

Apt is where scientists got the name for the Aptian. This name marks a special time in Earth's history. It was part of the Early Cretaceous, which happened from about 125 million to 112 million years ago. A scientist named Alcide d'Orbigny first used this name in writing in 1840.

History

Apt has a long history. It was once an important town for a group of people called the Vulgientes. Later, the Romans destroyed it, but Julius Caesar helped rebuild it. Over time, the town faced attacks but was also rebuilt by local leaders.

There are stories about a religious leader named Auspicus founding a special church area in Apt, though the first clear proof of this comes from a meeting in 314. Important old music documents were found in Apt, showing that music was a big part of life there many years ago.

Jewish history

Jews lived in Apt as far back as the 1300s. Records show they were involved in money lending and had their own area of the town. By 1420, Apt had one of the larger Jewish communities in the region.

Ecclesiastical history

In 1365, leaders from nearby areas met in Apt and made important decisions for their churches. They also offered special rewards for people who visited a certain church and showed respect for special items there.

Population

Sights

The main attraction in Apt is the church of Sainte-Anne. People began building it around the year 1056, and it was finished in the late 1600s.

Apt once had big old walls, but now these walls are mostly gone, turned into wide streets. Many of the town's roads are still narrow and twisty. Near the town, archaeologists have found many old items from Roman times. One famous old bridge, called the Pont Julien, crosses the Coulon river. It was built around the year 2 BC. Some experts think it may have been built much later.

Economy

Apt is famous for growing wine, honey, truffles, and fruit. Some of the fruit is made into crystallized fruit using machines and careful handwork. A large company named Delta Plus Group has its main office in the city.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France

Apt has friendly partnerships with towns in other countries. These are called "twin towns" or "sister cities." Apt is partnered with:

• [Bakel], Senegal
• [Boussu], Belgium
• [Thiene], Italy