Vaucluse

Vaucluse, a department in the SE. of France, bounded on the west by the Rhone, and on the south separated by the Durance from Bouches du Rhone. Area, 1370 sq. m.; pop. (1872) 263,451; (1891) 235,411. The east is intersected by spurs of the Alps; in the west are plains. Agriculture is the chief occupation; of late oaks have been largely planted for the culture of truffles; and there are manufactures of silk, wool, pottery, chemicals, &c. Originally composed of the county of Venaissin, the principality of Orange, and part of Provence, the department is divided into the four departments of Apt, Avignon, Carpentras, and Orange, Avignon being the capital.—The village of Vaucluse (Vallis clausa) stands in a romantic ravine 19 miles E. of Avignon, and is noted as having been for sixteen years the residence of Petrarch, and for its famous fountain. Here, too, lived John Stuart Mill.