SAINT REMY DE PROVENCE - The Alpilles ridge

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Eagle Footprint is a cliff located in the town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and it is part of the north facade of the Alpilles. It is part of the foothills of the plateau of La Caume and forms a genuine, impressive and steep natural border 392m high.

Via Domitia is the oldest road in France, built from 120 BC based on ancient Gallic routes. Beyond the Spanish border, this route is called Via Augusta. This interprovincial road was built and maintained at the expense of the Roman state. Via Domitia was a very busy route followed by armies, officials, merchants, travelers, pilgrims throughout the Empire, and still remained in the Middle Ages.