Around the rock fortress of Les Baux
Half-day
Set in the Alpilles, our guided hike highlights places of historical interest as well as natural beauty. The Alpilles is a range of low mountains that rise between Avignon and Arles. You appreciate there a gentle nature walk all around the rugged spur atop which sits the fortress of Les Baux de Provence. This spectacular site is one of France’s most famous hilltop village. The numerous small roof tiles of its stone houses are towered by the remnants of its medieval castle. This citadel was the symbol of lords who where among the most powerful of their times. During this circular stroll, you easily reach two different viewpoints, enjoying breathless panoramas: one from the north of the site, another one from the east.
Walking time : 2 hours
Rating : easy (rugged terrain)
Season calendar : year-round (summer : starting before 9am, not allowed on fire risk days)
In the footsteps of van Gogh from St. Rémy
Half-day
During his time in France, Vincent van Gogh spent one year in St. Remy de Provence, near Avignon. This beautiful hike, that starts in the old town, is named after the visited places where the painter set up his easel: he painted here more than 70 works, transfixed by the luminous nature scenery. You walk outside the town through vineyards and olive groves that carpet the landscape. After climbing up through the woods to the Alpilles ridge, you can enjoy outstanding 360° views.
This walk could also be named “Le Rocher des Deux Trous” (the Rock with two holes) due to two big holes at the base of a crag: seen from far away, they are then invisible for long, before reappearing suddenly, when very close. Just before the end, you pass near the Greco-Roman site of Glanum: there are visible remains of a city that grew up 2,600 years ago.
Walking time : 3 hours
Rating : moderate (steep slopes and rugged terrain)
Season calendar : year-round (summer : 8am – 11am only, not allowed on fire risk days)
Visits of Saint-Paul de Mausole and Glanum non included
Van Gogh’s Provence
(Photographs of sceneries that could have inspired the Dutch painter)
A nature walk en route to Les Baux de Provence
Half-day
During most of this scenic walk, starting from the Alpilles above St. Remy, you keep all along the ridge, enjoying vistas in all directions. Suddenly, on the horizon, appears before you, among crags, the rock of Les Baux de Provence : a ruined château towering the tile roofs of the village’s stone houses. Perched on a bluff facing the Alpilles crest, the citadel, was abandoned in the 1630s. For 400 years, it had been the symbol of the power and independence of the lords of Baux, Princes of Orange. The castle entrance and the few streets in the village are worthwile. Furthemore, a visit to Carrières de Lumières, a son et lumière projected onto the walls of a former quarry nearby, might be of interest for you.
Point-to-point hike.
Walking time : 2.5 hours
Rating : easy (rugged terrain)
Season calendar : year-round (summer : 8am – 11am only, not allowed on fire risk days)
Visits of Château des Baux (fortress remains) and Carrières de Lumière non included.
From St. Remy de Provence to Les Baux
Full Day
Leaving the medieval streets in St. Remy, you head to an even older quarter : Les Antiques. These are two Roman monuments among the best preserved : the Mausoleum and the Triumphal Arch that used to mark the entrance to the city of Glanum. Walking through pines, on back roads and forest tracks, you gently climb to the Alpilles ridge’s path. Up there, you can admire beautiful nature scenery all around. Following the main ridge, you gradually approach Les Baux de Provence. Built on a rocky spur, the ruined medieval castle suddenly appear. Once the fief of lords among the most powerful in the South of France, this site is something unique. The castle entrance and the few streets in the village are worthwile. After those 4 hours of hiking in the Alpilles range, an additional visit to Carrières de Lumières, a son et lumière projected onto the walls of a former quarry, might be of interest for you.
Point-to-point hike.
Walking time : 4 hours
Rating : moderate (rugged terrain)
Season calendar : 1/1 – 6/15 & 9/15 – 12/31
Visits of Château des Baux (fortress remains) and Carrières de Lumière non included.
An exhilarating hike for adventurers by St Rémy
Full day
This outstandingly scenic hike starts about 1km south of St. Rémy de Provence from Saint-Paul de Mausole, famous for Vincent van Gogh‘s stay in 1889. While not very long, it is strenuous and suitable for those without fear of heights. Under the leadership of an expert guide, you hike challenging trails and enjoy spectacular scenery over the Alpilles Regional Natural Park. Once you have left the Mont Gaussier where the ladder trail with supportive handrail has been cut into a vertical cliff for about 200m, it is time for the last ascent. And you fairly quickly reach the Rock with two holes, an impressive stone formation, visible from St-Rémy, that van Gogh painted. You then walk down a dry valley back to town.
Walking time : 4.5 hours
Rating : challenging (steep slopes, rugged terrain and exposed pathways with supportive railings)
Season calendar : year-round (summer : 7am – 11.30am only, not allowed on fire risk days)
If you have a fear of heights, you had better choose another hike.
The vista from the Alpilles mountains ridge
Full Day
To start this day hike, your expert guide can meet you in the old town of St. Remy de Provence. After one hour of gentle climbing, you are allowed to spend the following two hours walking on the Alpilles ridge, up to the top of Plateau de La Caume. On the way, in addition to the vast panorama, you discover the great variety of Mediterranean nature, especially flora: the famous rosemary, thyme and lavender, of course, but also dozens of other species that blossom early in the year. The last hour on the heights, at the foot of impressive cliffs, is surely the most challenging. Back to the plain, it is worth stopping for a visit of Château Romanin, at the foot of the Alpilles. Your local guide can fix a guided tour of the cellar and a tasting of the wines (visit fee non included).
Walking time : 5.5 hours
Rating : challenging (steep slopes and rugged terrain)
Season calendar : 1/1 – 6/15 & 9/15 – 12/31