Exploring the village and vineyards of Estézargues

Park in the Town Hall car park.

(S/E) As you leave the car park, turn right onto the Route des Grès towards the roundabout at the village entrance.

(1) Take the Chemin de la Queirade on your right (^first exit from the roundabout and first right) then walk through the small residential area of La Queirade. Continue straight on along the Chemin de la Queirade.
You are now surrounded by vineyards on the Signargues plateau, 150 m above the Rhône.
Pass the first junction on the right and continue straight on until you reach a stony track leading into the vineyards on your right, just before the Jas des Vaches.

(2) Take this path and a little further on, on your right, there is a viewpoint overlooking the bell tower and the village of Estézargues, which overlooks its vineyard.
You are also in the middle of a landscape of rounded pebbles, large orange stones carried down by the Rhône from the Alps.
Carry on straight ahead, due south, along this path from which you can also see the Alpilles range in the distance with its characteristic ridge of white limestone. Continue until you reach a small road.

(3) After passing through a copse, turn right onto the small road (Chemin du Sablas) and observe the clay-limestone soil as you pass through the small “canyon”, in the heart of an oak forest.
At the Croix de Valence, turn left and head towards "Grandes Vignes".
At the junction, turn right, then turn right again onto Route de Domazan to enter the village of Estézargues.
Turn right onto Rue du Barri. Turn left at the wash house. You can also admire the façade of the 19th-century Neo-Romanesque church.
Turn left into the narrow street that runs past the wash house and its arched window. In the 14th century, a climate of insecurity hung over the village, with hordes of bandits plundering the hamlets. Ramparts were therefore built to protect the village, and the curve of the houses follows these ancient fortifications.

(4) Go through the Porte du Consul Status and take the Chemin de Ronde. Next to a bench, enjoy a panoramic view of the vineyards, broom and the Rhône in the distance.
Cross the small square diagonally and take Rue de la Fontaine (to the right of the presbytery workshop).
Continue straight ahead, then turn left onto Rue des Grands Fonts.
Follow this street down to a three-way junction (at a place called Les Fonts). Head towards Saint-Hilaire on your right.
Stay on Chemin des Bois until you reach a fork.

(5) Turn onto this stony track and continue straight on along Chemin des Fonts until you reach the roundabout at the entrance to the village.

(1) Take the first exit onto Route des Grès and head for the car park of the cooperative winery’s wine cellar on your left (S/E).

With a hot, dry Mediterranean climate, it is best to start the walk in the morning or late in the day. Bring a hat, suitable footwear and plenty of water (1.5 litres per person). There are no drinking water points along the route.

Fosses de Fournès