The Canal de Vaucluse [fr], which is the third-largest river course, joins with the Ouvèze at Sorgues, and flows into the Rhône at Avignon.

In the mid-fourteenth century, the Italian humanist, poet and scholar Petrarch visited the region of Vaucluse,[2] climbing Mont Ventoux in 1336. Notable as the eternal lover of Laura de Noves, Petrarch returned repeatedly to the Fontaine de Vaucluse to listen to the "voice of the waters".

The poet expresses his happiness: "The beautiful source of the river Sorgue, famous in her own right since time immemorial, is celebrated once more by my own extended stay and by my songs."

[3] The management and upkeep of the waterways that make up the river Sorgue is not conducted directly by the State.

[attribution needed] The Sorgue has historically provided power and water for many paper mills along its course, as well as many watermills.