Istres walks

A hike along the balcony with superb views of the Etang de Berre (a small inland sea called Lake Berre).

A beautiful hike in the Saint-Blaise area, near Fos-sur-Mer, around the ponds of Lavalduc, Citis, Pourra and Engrenier. ⚠️ 29/04/2024: hike modified to avoid the path that runs along the Martigues canal beside the Lavaduc pond on the edge of the cliff (private site).

Stroll across the Castillon plateau to discover one of the Mediterranean's major archaeological sites and its surroundings, which include four ponds.

A short walk in a protected area on the edge of the Étang de Berre and its industries. All the vegetation of the wetlands, birds galore. Moderator's note Please note that part of this loop is closed between April and July. See notices.

This varied and easy loop takes you to the village of Cornillon-Confoux, one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Provence. The village, with its stone houses and cobbled streets, offers exceptional views on both sides.The site of Cornillon, steeped in history, has been inhabited since Neolithic times.In the surrounding area, you will discover many traces of a farming and pastoral past.

During this very easy walk on flat ground alternating between tracks and small roads, you can admire beautiful drystone shelters and a bee wall. Drystone shelters are huts built from dry stones that served as temporary dwellings for farmers in Provence in the 19th century. The bee wall, or Apier, is an 18th-century dry stone wall, 60 metres long, with 56 niches (originally 200) where beekeepers used to shelter their straw hives from the mistral wind and bad weather.

A walk to discover bories (dry-stone huts), perfect for a little mountain biking special, alternating between false-flat single trails (be careful of the trees!) and wide rolling tracks to get your heart pumping or to work on your endurance.

Interpretation trail and discovery of the agro-pastoral heritage around drystone walls and drystone shelters. Information panels along the trail explain the drystone constructions.

This trail invites you to discover the pastoral and agricultural life of yesteryear. This circuit offers a glimpse of the unique features of the Tallagard Massif at every turn.

A wonderful discovery near Saint-Martin-de-Crau. A superb stretch of water within the estate of the same name. The estate houses an old Provençal-style building with its various annexes, an artists' residence and an open-air concert hall. The foundations of this 300-hectare estate, located in the heart of the Crau, date back to 1213.

Hiking in the Alpilles, starting from the Eyguières bullring. A quiet start among olive trees and cicadas at the foot of the Opies. You'll discover the old Romanière sheep pens. The ascent starts on a beautiful path through the maquis and ends with a little climb to finish at the Tour de Guet where a magnificent 360° view awaits you. You can also visit the vestiges of Villa Gallo Romaine.

A fine, challenging circuit in rocky terrain. A few technical sections add spice to this route, as does the intriguing section passing through the two-ended cave on the Mont Menu. The Mont Menu ridge requires concentration and a sense of direction since the cairns are few and far between. There is always a superb view in every direction: the Étang de Berre, the plain of the Crau, Aureille, the Alpilles, the Mont Ventoux, the Luberon and of course the cliffs of the Mont Menu.

The Tour des Opies is the highest point in the Alpilles mountain range, rising to 498 m and offering a 360° panoramic view of the Durance plain, the Rhône, the Comtat Venaissin, the Camargue plain and the Crau plain as far as the Étang de Berre. The route, located in the Alpilles Natural Park, begins in the wooded valley of Les Glauges. It leads to the ruins of a Gallo-Roman villa. On the way back, a visit to the charming village of Aureille is a must.

A hike starting from Eyguières with its two enclosed springs, the Fontaine des Bormes and the Fontaine Gilouse. A walk in the Défens d'Eyguières, with fine views of the ruins of Roquemartine Castle, the Durance valley and, if the weather is fine, the Mont Ventoux. Access to the Grottes de Calès site is forbidden. Return by the olive groves below the Défens d'Eyguières. __Caution! Because of the nature of the rock (mollasse sandstone, and therefore friable) and the cliffs, parts of the site are dangerous. A municipal order prohibiting access to these areas is currently in force. Take great care.__

An easy, family-friendly walk in the south of the Alpilles mountains. Passes near the Caisses de Jean-Jean oppidum.

This pretty little loop runs alongside olive groves and the Civadières climbing cliffs, climbs up to the watchtower and then descends to the village via a track and a large valley crossed by theGR® 6 hiking trail. The route mainly follows wide, easy paths that allow you to admire the landscape. From the top of the watchtower, on a clear day you can see the Crau plain, the Mediterranean Sea and the Étang de Berre to the south, and the Calans mountain range silhouetted against the horizon to the north.

In the heart of the Alpilles Regional Nature Park, this circuit crosses vast olive groves, runs alongside a canal and an old sandpit, and passes close to a Vaudoret oil mill.

A pleasant walk through the Alpilles. Not particularly difficult, this is a hike that is excellent for beginners. Nevertheless, there are beautiful stretches, commanding views and surprising natural displays of surprise and vigour.

A pretty hike in this area of the Alpilles to discover the white cliffs of "Caisses de Jean Jean", the "Caisses de Servanne," the Castellas ridges and its viewpoints, and a walk along Servanne golf course in Mouriès.

A nice hike in the Alpilles to see the ruins of Castellas de Roquemartine (Château de la Reine Jeanne), and end with the caves of Calès, a very interesting cave network.

To the west of Marseille, the Côte Bleue owes its name to the colour of the sea. The coastal path offers spectacular views of quiet little ports, sunny creeks and secluded beaches. In the distance, Marseille... and above all, the Mediterranean Sea.

Vernègues is a small village in the Bouches-du-Rhône region, rich in Roman and medieval remains.