The golden triangle of biodiversity.
The Pays d'Arles has the particularity of being made up of 3 exceptional protected natural areas: the Alpilles Regional Nature Park, which is a real concentrate of "Provence" with its landscapes shaped by man, its ancient villages and its art of living; the Crau Nature Reserve, the last steppe in Western Europe, which is home to numerous ancient sheepfolds; and the Camargue Regional Nature Park, a vast wetland area in the Rhone delta, which is rich in biological diversity and has a strong cultural identity.
How to get there?
From Arles, take the N570 towards Avignon, then turn off onto the D17 towards Fontvieille. In Fontvieille turn right onto the D33 towards Raphèle. The Tourist Office is located 200m on your left; park in the car park near the Fontvieille Tourist Office.
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50 km
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max. 63 m
264 m
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Styles : HikingDiscovery Public : Experienced hikersCyclists |
+33(0)4 90 54 67 49 www.alpillesenprovence.com/nos-villages/fontvieille/
The Ribet or Saint-Pierre mill was built in 1814 and operated until 1915, when wheat was requisitioned for the war. It is the most recent of the four mills in Fontvieille. In 1935, it was this mill, which was the best preserved at the time, that the Société des Amis d'Alphonse Daudet restored. This is the reason why it is commonly referred to as the Daudet mill.
The aqueduct of which vestiges remain near the Barbegal flour mill is a deviation from the so-called "caparon" aqueduct which carried water from the southern slope of the Alpilles. The construction techniques of the segment preceding the flour mill differ from those observed on the course of the Caparon aqueduct.
There are two opposing styles within the castle itself: a medieval tower, steeped in history, and a Renaissance facade, with refined looks. Two castles in one, a unique rarity in the South of France. The medieval tower was built by the Romans to watch over the Barbegal aqueduct. The body of the castle, a fortified farm in the 14th century was transformed into a stately home at the beginning of the 19th century. Its consecrated chapel and its French-style garden, of which the portico remains, make it a major asset for your receptions. Finally, the carriage garage, which served as a post relay until the beginning of the 20th century, adds an atypical touch to the entrance to the castle. Discover Barbegal Castle, a strong element of your heritage.
Named after the employee responsible for guarding and handling it, the "Langlois Bridge" gained worldwide fame thanks to representations made by Van Gogh at the end of the 19th century. The Van Gogh Bridge today The bridge that can be seen a few kilometers south of the city center, over the Arles-to-Bouc canal, is not, however, the one painted by the artist. It is also not in its original location. Technological progress, changes in town planning and the vagaries of war have meant that today we only see an identical example, once installed in Fos. However, the desire to evoke the painter, as well as to restore an old technique, made it possible to replace the work in its functional integrity, and in a landscaped setting similar to that seen by Van Gogh.
Bars and restaurants
- Bars and restaurants in Arles, Fontvieille and Raphèle
- Farm inn (Barbegal) : 04 90 54 63 69
- Reservation required
Bike rental
- 1Vloc (Arles) : 06 25 17 00 73 (Bike rental)
- Hôtel Régence (Arles) : 04 90 96 39 85 (Accueil vélo)
- Les Acacias bike hire: 04 90 96 37 88 (Accueil vélo)
- Taco and Co (Arles): 06 50 29 60 00 (Accueil vélo)
- Véloc Arles: 06 50 94 55 63 (Accueil vélo)
- Europbike (Arles) : 06 38 14 49 50
- Holiday Bikes (Arles) : 04 90 52 07 27
What to see
- Daudet Mill
- Roman aqueduct of Barbegal and remains of the Roman mill
- Château de Barbegal (Bed and Breakfast)
- Mas Baracan (wine from the Arles region) : 04 90 96 40 05
- Storks' nest at the Haras d'Anibert
- Van Gogh Bridge
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