Alpilles Roquemartine: The Mouriès loop

The church is the place of the Saint-Jacques chapel, they found writings dating from the eleventh century. and has been replaced to accommodate the growing number of parishioners. The building in front of you dates from 1783. He has had several downgrades during the Revolution, but also following the 1909 earthquake that caused the collapse of the bell tower.

Topped on a central pillar in stone, this small chapel was built in 1822, against cholera raging in the region. A niche was built, bullet-shaped, covered by a stone flat roof. A marble plaque was added to the building, where one can read "SAINT ROCH PRIEZ FOR US. 1822-1886 ".

On D24a connecting Mouriès to Aureille, you will drive for about 5km on a road punctuated by numerous olive groves. You can then explore all the various activities in relation with the planting of olive trees. These activities range from intensive farming with tight plants and bare soil to organic farming with widely spaced plants and vegetation cover.

The irregular plant mosaic is the result of clearing work carried out under the LIFE program of the Alpilles. Its objective is to promote the reintegration of species living in the open air environment. The species include small game, such as the wild rabbit and red-legged partridge, that constitues the main food source for predatory birds of the Alpilles such as Bonelli's eagle and the Egyptian vulture.

Once you have reached Aureille, I invite you to make a detour in the center of the village to admire the church of Notre Dame de l’Assomption. The construction of this neo-Romanesque church was initiated by the parish priest, named Father Pauleau, who arrived in 1867 at Aureille. The first stone was laid by the Archbishop of Aix, George Chalandon, on 31 March of that year. His plans are the work of the architect Auguste Veran from Arles.

Getting out of Aureille, it is possible to contemplate the presence of a set of rocky ridges. They are located southeast of the Alpilles and include Les Civadières and the highest point of the Regional Nature Park: Les Opies 498m high. Some of their rock walls are now the favorite site for many climbing lovers.

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.

Built in the mid-18th century, the mas was a farmhouse belonging to the abbey of Pierredon. It was in 1950 that the first vines were planted. As he became rapidly aware of benefiting excellent weather conditions, he turned to organic farming in 1975 by joining Nature et Progrès, then by receiving certification from Ecocert. At present, there are 45ha of vineyards and 20ha of olive groves.

Before starting the descent and leaving the Alpilles Massif, you will face an open landscape framed by two bas-reliefs, Gypières on your right, and Castellas on your left. At the heart of this picture, you can distinguish the village of Maussane-les-Alpilles, its wet plain and, weather permitting, the surrounding area of Fontvieille.

This canal, measuring 53km long, was subject to a long process of reflection and design. Designed in 1792, the project will be launched over a century later, in 1914. In a landscape of steppe, it was important to develop human presence and the economy as a hydraulic network irrigates the territory to help the crops survive. This canal supplies all to itself the southern part of the Alpilles.

Culture emblématique du territoire des Alpilles, l'olivier est le symbole du climat méditerranéen sec. Ses troncs multiples sont la conséquence d'un recépage au niveau de la souche suite à un gel important en 1956. Aujourd’hui, certaines des olives et les huiles produites dans les Alpilles sont reconnues à l’échelle nationale et internationale, bénéficiant de l'Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP).