SAINT REMY DE PROVENCE - Between valley and plateau

These two monuments called "Les Antiques", marked the entrance to the town of Glanum: Mausoleum of the Jules and the Arc de Triomphe. The funerary Mausoleum dates from the years 30-20 BC.. It owes its fame to its unique structure in Roman architecture: Around 20 A.C, the arch lost the pediment which surmounted the vault. It is decorated with beautiful reliefs illustrating the conquest of Gaul by Caesar and fruits and foliage, symbols of abundance, carved under the vault.

The Saint Paul cloister is a former monastery of the 11th-12th century. This building, built in true Roman style has lost its original purpose to be transformed into a cultural and tourist centre with Van Gogh as the main attraction and who was a patient here. Indeed, the Dutch artist stayed here between May 1889 and May 1890. You will find between these walls a museum about his stay, but also a reproduction of some 20 paintings of his. To be seen alone or with family!

The archaeological site of Glanum is one of the "must see" sites of the town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the result of over a century of excavations. This site, dating back to the 6th century BC, is a Celtic site which suffered from the Greek and Roman influences over the past centuries. After becoming a trading and religious centre in the Alpilles, it was destroyed in the 3rd century AD during the barbarian invasions. The survivors abandoned the area to build the foundations of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and to settle there.

Mont Gaussier is one of the peaks of the Alpilles with an archaeological interest. This limestone mount rising to 306m above sea level, was indeed a living environment. The oldest traces date back to protohistory (period between prehistory and history). This occupation lasted until the Middle Ages. In fact, archaeological researches have found indications leading to what may have been foundations for walls or dwellings.

You will have the opportunity on the first part of the trail to come across small milestones. Each one has a small drawing of a branch, the shape of its leaves, and its name in French and Latin. They mark out a nature trail set up by the Association of hikers La Draille, along with the tourist office of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. It allows visitors of all ages to recognize the surrounding flora.

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.

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.