SAINT REMY DE PROVENCE - From Saint Rémy to Les Baux

Surrounded by limestone cliffs, Lake Peiroou is an artificial lake, with a capacity of 80 000 m3, retained by a dam. Its name comes from the Provençal "pèiroù" which means cauldron. It was here that the Romans built a dam that supplied water to the city of Glanum, thanks to an aqueduct. It was one of the first "arch dam" of history. The current dam, meanwhile, was built in October 1891, in the same place as that of the Romans, to supply the fountains of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

Emblematic culture of the territory of the Alpilles, the olive tree is the symbol of the dry Mediterranean climate. Its multiple trunks are the result of a release at the strain level following a significant frost in 1956. Today, some of the olives and oils produced in the Alpilles are recognized nationally and internationally, benefiting from the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).

The Alpine Canal network stretches 119 km from Orgon to the Roubines of Anguillon and Vigueirat. Begun in 1826, its construction was slowed by conflicts of interest and ended in 1875. At the time, it was intended to complete the Canal des Alpines meridionales finished in 1772, to supply water to 18 towns and 40 additional mills. ;

L'amandier a les fleurs blanches rosées qui apparaissent avant les feuilles. Premier fruitier à fleurir (février/mars), il annonce l’arrivée du printemps. L’amande, « amendo » en provençal, est originaire d’Asie occidentale et fut implantée en Provence au Ve s. av J.-C. Elle a connu son essor au Moyen-Age, avec son introduction dans la cuisine traditionnelle. Depuis le gel de 1956, sa production a fortement diminué, mais aujourd’hui des initiatives cherchent à la restaurer.

Les premiers santons étaient confectionnés en mie de pain, mais petit à petit c’est l’argile rouge de Provence qui a été privilégiée pour leur fabrication. Si les santons sont longtemps restés de fragiles créations en argile crue, la cuisson de l’argile est plus fréquente de nos jours. Le véritable santon de Provence, en argile non cuite, a été créé à Marseille par Jean-Louis Lagnel (1764-1822).On compte aujourd'hui soixante-deux ateliers de santons dans les Bouches-du-Rhône.

The tracks for the defense of the forests against fire (DFCI) have for purpose,the movement of vehicles of various actors responsible for the prevention of and fight against fires inside the forest massif of the Alpilles. They allow a rapid response, even in hard-to-reach areas and have underground tanks for supply;fast;In water. These trails also offer a network of wide paths suitable for hiking.

In the distance towards north, the Mont Ventoux is outlined on the horizon. It is the highest point of the Vaucluse mountains with its 1911 m altitude. In the foreground, one end of the Alpilles chain stands out and at its feet is Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Finally, taken between these two reliefs and starting from the right, we can observe the beginnings of the Luberon massif.

It is with a superb view on the reliefs of the southwestern part of the Alpilles, that one can distinguish Mont Paon and Mont Valence, both 234 meters high. They are bordered by the Vallon de Cabrieres, and farther west, by the Vallon de la Lèque. They were very early places of privilege for the implantation of human, as evidenced by the various vestiges present on Mount Paon.

Forest Defense Against Fire; provides for the deployment of various actors responsible for the prevention and fight against fires in the Alpilles (fire-fighters, foresters-sappers, agents of the National Forestry Office, Agents of Prevention and Awareness of Forest Fires). These, commissioned by the Regional Natural Park, deliver valuable information on the accessibility of the massif and respect for its biodiversity.

The erosion eye is a rock, on the heights of Baumayrane, offering a fine example of taffoni;(word of Corsican origin meaning "hole"), common phenomenon around the Baux-de-Provence. Its cavities dug by erosion can have very different shapes and sizes, depending on the structure of the rock and its ability to absorb water. Here, the erosion eye is pierced through, allowing to see through.

Here is a superb panorama at 360 ° C, which offers a breathtaking view of the Baux-de-Provence and their castle. Built in the 11th century under the orders of the lords of Les Baux, this castle was subsequently destroyed several times during the conflicts affecting Provence. The semi-troglodyte specificity of this fortress is that we still found today part of the dungeon relatively well preserved and seen very well from afar, from the surrounding lowlands.

Following the tectonic pressures of the Eurasian and African plates, and the pleating of the rocks that it created, the Alpilles massif allows to find visible geological strata, called "limestone bench". These strata each correspond to a sedimentary ensemble;which has been formed over many years between two parallel surfaces. ;

The Defense of the Forest Against the Fires is articulated around the watchtowers strategically placed at the mountain summits, which allow a 360 ° C view on the Alpilles massif. In summer, they are the meeting point of the various actors operating against fires. From there, they can quickly identify fire departures and deploy the necessary means for interventions.

Mont Ventoux is the highest peak of the Vaucluse, culminating at 1,911 m. Its altitude makes it visible from afar. In summer, we can notice it at its white summit, suggesting snow. Called also the "Bald mount", the Mont Ventoux owes the whiteness of its summit to the absence of vegetation which leaves its calcareous rocks visible, but also to snow in winter period.

Culminating at 378 m of altitude, the Caume plateau is a limestone entity dating from the Upper Cretaceous, which is among the most famous reliefs of the Alpilles. It is also a crossing point of the GR®6 and hosts a rich ornithological biodiversity, with the Bonelli's Eagle, the Egyptian Vulture, but also the jackdaw. To preserve it, a prefectural protection order was put in place.