The Routo of Baume Brignolle

The bridge called Pont dit Romain does not date from Antiquity but from the Middle Ages. Its name still remains a mystery today. It was built on the chemin des Poissonniers, which was already used during Antiquity, to replace the crossing point that passes through the gaudre of Romanin (a gaudre is a temporary water body). This ancient route started from the chapel Notre-Dame de Piargues (or Notre-Dame-de-Romanin) and joined Mouriès crossing the Vallongue.

On your right is the castle of Romanin. At the foot of the ridges, this fortified place now in ruins was built to protect the north side of the Alpilles. It was controlled by the Lords who were themselves under the governance of the Counts of Provence. Its construction date has not yet been researched, but the most ancient texts had already mentioned it in the 12th century.

The Alpilles have been constantly evolving for over the past 135 million years, to become the one you're standing on. These limestone ridges, bordered by the GR6, date back to the Cretaceous and appeared there about 70 million years BC. They dominate the Petite Crau. From here you can see the Montagnette massif to the northeast, and further away, Mont Ventoux, which rises to an altitude of 1912m. In the south, you have a wide view of the Alpilles.

The Mérinos d'Arles, cross-breed between Mérinos d'Espagne and the breed of Arles, is the emblem of the great transhumance. Its herd-like instinct and its ability to adapt to different environments have favoured its expansion throughout the region. Known for the quality of its meat and its wool, it helps maintain the natural sites and landscapes from the delta of the Camargue, the Crau steppe or the Alpilles massifs until the peaks and alpine lakes.

A Prefectural Decree for biotope protection is a defined geographical area that preserves the ideal conditions for the development of certain plant and animal species. These biotopes are natural areas which are environments with a very fragile balance. On the Plateau de la Caume, this decree primarily concerns the Bonelli's eagle. Other protection areas, such as Nature Reserves exist to protect this rich biodiversity.

This is the perfect place to observe raptors and other birds (Bonelli's eagle, Egyptian vulture, Alpine swift), which have made it hunting ground. You can also see the Rocher des Deux Trous, to the west of the valley. This geomorphological phenomenon is the result of wind erosion, which dug into the limestone as to form two holes, hence the name. To the east, you will notice the steepness of the cliffs, true natural walls.

Plateau de la Caume is "must see" site of the Alpilles. WIth a peak at 378m above sea level, this limestone feature is a crossing point of the GR6, the perfect route to discover the ridges of the Alpilles. This area hosts a rich ornithological biodiversity with the Bonelli's eagle, the Egyptian vulture, but also the Western jackdaw. Combined with human activity (passing of hikers, telecommunication towers), the site illustrates the Alpilles, which combines nature and civilization.

Le paysage des Alpilles a été façonné par des siècles de pastoralisme. Ici, les troupeaux ovins jouent un rôle important dans l’entretien de l’espace naturel en freinant l’embroussaillement. L’espace reste ainsi ouvert et les pelouses sont maintenues. Au sud-est du chemin, vous pouvez voir un abreuvoir en pierre, relié à une citerne pour pompiers enterrée. Il permet d’alimenter les troupeaux qui participent à la protection de la forêt contre l’incendie et à la conservation de la biodiversité.

Here are the ruins of the Jas du Pézou. The word "Jas" comes from the Provençal language and means "house." This is a large building in dry stone, which allowed the housing of flocks and herds. It was rather built away from farms or homes. This allowed to shelter the animals when they were brought to graze on the way to Baume Brignolle, and must have had a link with the Pierredon castle located a little further south.

Located at the southeast end of the Alpilles ridges, the Vallongue domain has 38 hectares on which is produced wines and olive oils. These vineyards were the first to turn to organic farming, as of 1985! Reds, whites and rosés benefitted from Les Baux de Provence Appelation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) label and Alpilles of Vallongue Indicateur Géographique Protégé (IGP) label, proof a real know-how.