Around Château-Arnoux Lake - Volonne

Departure from the Château-Arnoux Tourist Office, Font Robert Farm. Parking available.

(S/E) Head towards the canal and turn left onto Boulevard de la Liberté. Turn right, cross the canal and then the RN85 at the pedestrian crossing, and continue straight ahead towards the "footbridge", following Avenue de la Gare.

(1) Leave the street on your left, which you will take on the way back, cross the railway line, then first turn right then left to take Chemin des Salettes, following the yellow markings.

(2) Leave the yellow markings and continue right on the Durance cycle route towards Château-Arnoux station. Pass the Salettes fishing lakes and arrive at the junction with the access path to them.

(3) Turn sharply left and head towards the lakes. Follow the yellow markings, passing between the two lakes and then turning right. When you reach the southern corner of the Hippocampe, take the path on the left to follow it, turn 90° to the left and head towards the junction that leads to the footbridge.

(4) Take the track on the right that leads to the footbridge and cross the Durance. At the exit, turn left and follow the riverbank. At Ravin de la Grave, continue to the left to stay as close as possible to the Durance and follow the yellow markings to the starting point in Volonne.

(5) In front of the information boards at the starting point of the Tour du Lac from Volonne, leave the footpath on the right and follow the cycle route signs to reach the Volonne suspension bridge without taking the stairs. Cross the Durance and continue along the side of the road.

(6) Turn left to leave the road and follow the Tour du Lac trail marked in yellow. You will reach the junction at the pumping station.

(7) You can make a round trip of about 50 metres to get there. Otherwise, continue straight ahead, find the path you took on the way there and cross the railway line at the level crossing.

(1) Turn right and follow this road to the traffic lights. Use the pedestrian crossing and continue straight ahead towards Font Robert. Continue to Place du Commerce.

(8) Turn left, then right onto Rue des Sources. Continue to the entrance of the castle grounds.

(9) Take the bridle path and continue to the château, which houses the town hall.

(10) Go around the castle on the left, reach Rue Victorin Maurel and follow it, turning right. Pass the Freinet School and turn right onto the paved slanting street. At the signpost, turn left towards the Source de la Jalinière. Cross the Riaille (stream) and reach the spring.

(11) Head back in the opposite direction and join Rue de la Jalinière. Go downhill and turn left onto Rue Victorin Maurel. Walk past the primary school for about 20 metres, then turn left onto Rue du Milieu. Immediately turn left onto the steps leading to Saint-Aubin Church. Join Rue Haute and follow it until you pass Chemin des Aires by about 200 metres.

(12) Turn right onto a path leading downhill to the educational beehive at the entrance to the castle grounds.

(9) Turn right, cross Avenue Centrale and follow Rue de la Bastide opposite to reach the tourist office (S/E).

Semi-urban hike with no difficulty and little elevation gain. Suitable for use with a Joëlette.

Castle/town hall.

Banks of the Durance and information panels on the fauna, flora and human heritage.

Font Robert farm (Tourist Office).

Route "Au fil de l'eau" (Along the Water) created by the Château-Arnoux Heritage Association. Information available at the Tourist Office.