During the hike
Treasure hunt
Aguia invites you to discover the Little People and the lost treasure in a fun and educational way. There are around thirty panels, some of which are hidden, to help you solve the riddle of the table of secrets and find the treasure chest.
(S) At the start, you enter a slightly open wood. The area was burned down a few years ago. Even though nature is reclaiming its rights, the traces are still visible (dead and living trees scattered around, black trunks, low vegetation, etc.) at the start and end of the trail. The woods close in, moss and lichen cover the oak trees. Three panels introduce Aguia, the Little People and their four Communities: 'Water', 'Bush', 'Stone', 'Bark' and the story of the hidden treasure.
(1) With the context set, you will soon arrive at the well to meet the character of Bline. You are invited to find her and not forget her, because she, along with representatives of the other communities and three other guardians of memory, holds a piece of the secret message that will lead you to the treasure. Caution: do not climb on the well.
(2) On this section, the most exposed part of the trail, you will come across some magnificent oak trees. And soon, a huge stump. This was Carabougno, the patriarch of the Bark community. Before disappearing, he passed on his part of the sacred phrase to the Cabassou acorn, carried away by a jay, which you will have to find further on.
Between (3) and (4), further along the path, next to a cairn, you will meet Pèirounet, the builder of cairns. You will notice that there are many of them in these woods. A member of the Stone community, he gives you an important clue to find another member of his community: old Cabliero, keeper of the secret message.
Have you noticed the abundance of sarsaparilla in these woods? It is a climbing plant with small hooks and heart-shaped leaves. Sigo, the representative of the Bush community, is hiding behind a curtain of sarsaparilla. Go and find her.
(4) After finding Sigo, then Cabliero, you arrive at the Saint-Ulphar Chapel, which is presented on a sign by Bline. A haven of peace and coolness, you can enter the chapel. A system allows rainwater to be collected and stored in the chapel. Picnic tables behind the monument offer a place to take a break.
(5) You will encounter a dead tree that tells you news of the Cabassou acorn it saw passing through the jay's beak. The bird buried it not far from there. Cabassou must have grown into a beautiful oak tree.
You will soon enter an area called Estagnon or "little pond". Picnic tables offer another cool place to stop. Be careful. This is a basin area that floods during heavy rains and is sometimes a favourite spot for mosquitoes. As an anecdote, when the water level rises significantly, it can move the tables and a boat may be necessary to cross the Estagnon, but the site is above all a huge clearing of soft green, with magnificent oaks and hawthorns. In this meadow, you will meet Cabassou, the memory keeper of the Bark community. Once you have met the four representatives of the Little People, it is time to go on a treasure hunt. Four sighting markers in the woods will first lead you to the table of secrets. Each memory keeper will give you part of the coded phrase. Follow their instructions and look up at the trees to try to find the treasure. You will have no other clues.
Near the hike
The Provence Verdon Community of Communes belongs to the Provence Verte Verdon Land of Art and History. Discover the heritage trails of the villages: "Let us tell you about the Land of Art and History..."
Whether or not you take the car, opposite the car park, via the RD 232 climb, take the time to discover Vieux-Fox, its heritage trail "Let Fox-Amphoux tell you its story", its orientation tables, its troglodyte chapel...
Fox-Amphoux is a village made up of several hamlets.
In the hamlet of La Bréguière (town hall, school), in the former cooperative, you can discover an exhibition on dinosaurs (check with the town hall beforehand for opening times and days).
In the hamlet of Amphoux, the castle ruins have been restored to host festivals and shows.
Hikes to discover
- coming soon: Randonner Autrement "Stones and Games" trail in Tavernes
- coming soon: Randonner Autrement circuit "The slopes of history" in Pontevès. Le Petit Bessillon has been developed for the comfort and safety of hikers. Two orientation tables have been installed at the eastern summit.
- EuroVelo 8, the Mediterranean cycle route. It crosses Provence Verdon from Rians to Fox-Amphoux
- other hiking ideas can be found in thePR® guide "La Provence Verte... à pied" (Green Provence... on foot)