In short: at the heart of Provence, the Alpilles Natural Park reveals a range of trails, typical villages, and Mediterranean landscapes between limestone ridges, olive groves, and historical heritage.
A sensory immersion at the foot of the Calans
From the charming village of Eygalières, the loops of the Petits and Gros Calans offer an authentic getaway among fragrant scrubland, limestone ridges, and Aleppo pines. This 9 km route reveals a mix of typical Provençal landscapes: scents of thyme, open forests, ancient quarries, and breathtaking views up to Mont Ventoux. The Badon Arboretum, nestled at the foot of the cliffs, allows one to soak in the Mediterranean botanical diversity.
Notre-Dame du Château: between pine forest and heritage
In Saint-Étienne-du-Grès, a 3.8 km loop winds between valleys, forests, and viewpoints. The Notre-Dame du Château chapel and the warden’s hut emerge around a quiet path. This place, favored by the Grésouillais, testifies to a subtle balance between nature and culture, in an environment where bulls coexist with gaudres, the typical streams of the Alpilles.
Saint-Gabriel: pastoral memory and majestic pine forests
To the south of Tarascon, the site of Saint-Gabriel crossroads traces the history of transhumance through a network of trails suitable for both wakers and cyclists. The circuit winds through the surrounding pine forests and alongside the Saint-Gabriel Romanesque chapel, sometimes crossing paths with Rove goats. This pastoral landscape, shaped by grazing, contributes to the preservation of the territory.
On the heights of Paradou, the Towers of Castillon
The Castillon walk follows an iconic ridge line, where the rocks of Pène dominate the former marshes of Baux. In 2 hours of walking, the remnants of three medieval towers emerge from a carpet of scrubland. These structures tell the military history of the lordship of Baux-de-Provence, while offering a remarkable panorama between wild nature and traces of human occupation.
Geological journey in Orgon and the Urgonia museum
From the Urgonia museum, set off to discover Urgonian limestone and the fossils that shape the reliefs of the village of Orgon. The Stone Path, 3.5 km long, connects the museum to the Notre-Dame de Beauregard chapel. Up there, a 360° panorama allows one to embrace the Alpilles, the Luberon, and the valley of Lavau, where a lake fenced by cliffs adds a mineral touch to this exceptional site.
Pèr draio y pèr camin: the Alpilles by mountain bike
Starting from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the route “Pèr draio y pèr camin” takes old drailles through the plateau of Petite Crau. This cycling loop connects the villages of Eyragues and Noves through landscapes marked by the history of transhumance, between dried marshes and orchards punctuated by Provençal farmhouses.
In pursuit of the Caisses de Jean-Jean
From the village of Mouriès, known for its olive groves, set off on a 9 km circuit leading to the Caisses de Jean-Jean. This former fortified area fascinates both nature lovers and passionate archaeologists. Dominated by the Opies, these rocky ridges are a refuge for rare species such as the Tichodrome, while revealing the footprints left by past civilizations.
A Mediterranean escape to the Défens of Eyguières
Between Eyguières and Lamanon, the Défens loop mixes olive groves and dry scrubland, in a typically Mediterranean atmosphere. From the Crête du Défens, the view extends towards Pays d’Aix, Luberon, and Camargue. While traversing these sculpted slopes, visitors encounter the songs of passerine birds and the scents of resin warmed by the sun.
Bucolic interlude around Sénas
At the foot of the Alpilles, Sénas reveals a green agricultural environment. The path “La Cabre et la Pécoule” invites leisurely strolls among orchards, market gardens, and wooded areas, with the Opies and the Durance in the background. This 5 km route is an ideal refuge for bird watching, in a haven of rural calm.
By bike on the roads of Roquemartine
Starting from Mouriès, the Alpilles-Roquemartine circuit offers an immersion of 31.7 km into the wine-producing and rocky landscapes of the massif. The village of Aureille, with its Romanesque church and timeless atmosphere, marks one of the highlights of this loop. The ancient castrum of Roquemartine, perched on a spur, offers a striking contrast between medieval history and preserved nature.
An exceptional biodiversity between limestone and canals
The Alpilles Regional Natural Park stands out as a mosaic territory, alternating between forests, scrublands, olive groves, and wetlands. This richness comes from 4,000 years of interactions between human activities and natural dynamics. Located at the junction of Camargue, Crau, and Comtat Venaissin, the massif forms an ecological island with notable relief, hosting emblematic species of southern wildlife.
