Istres walks

A lovely route around the Étang de l'Olivier lake near the town of Istres.

Starting from Istres, you will park near the ZAC des Cognets. This walk is 50% on small roads and 50% on footpaths. Far from any houses, you will enjoy the peace and quiet and the scents of Provence.

A short hike above Istres with views of the Étang de Berre and La Crau.

This route is 100% on paths closed to motor vehicles. You’ll discover the Rassuen salt marsh, Citis Pond, Lavalduc Pond and the ruins of the aqueduct. All this amidst a Mediterranean landscape rich in biodiversity. Due to the many paths on the site, it is advisable to follow the route on the Visorando app.

Discover the Étang de Lavalduc, the remarkable oak grove and the Salin de Rassuen on a route where motor vehicles are prohibited.

This hike takes you through the Parc de la Poudrerie in Saint-Chamas (please note the opening hours; see Practical Information), as well as the medieval village of Miramas-le-Vieux. You can see the old buildings, exhibitions on site and, with a bit of luck, spot some birds.Following the GPX track may prove useful.

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 tour of Saint-Chamas, its town centre, the Notre-Dame Chapel with a view of the Étang de Berre, the Pont Flavien, a Roman ruin, and the Vallon de la Touloubre.

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.

Miramas-le-Vieux is a pretty little medieval village overlooking the northern part of the Étang de Berre, which is well worth a visit at the start or end of your walk. This route crosses the site of the former national gunpowder factory, which can be visited on Wednesdays or Sundays, heading towards the Chapelle Saint-Michel, which overlooks Istres, the Étang de l’Olivier and its fountain, and the Étang de Berre. Unfortunately, we were unable to complete the planned circular route as, as is often the case in Provence these days, wire mesh barriers have sprung up since our last visit two years ago, so we had to settle for the route published today.

This easy, mostly shaded hike takes just over 3 hours and will allow you to discover the Cabasse and Belval plains as well as the Collet de la Garde with its 360° panoramic view. Along the way, you will discover the restored Jas du Pape sheepfold with its enclosure and well, evidence of pastoral activity in the hills. You will also walk alongside the medieval Pougnois Canal, dug in the 11th century by the monks of Montmajour Abbey.

This hike offers striking contrasts between the historic centre of Fos-sur-Mer with its Hauture hilltop castle on one side, the Étang de l'Estomac lagoon and former Fos salt marshes on the other, and the surrounding industrial activity characterised by the numerous oil tankers in the nearby Gulf of Fos. Information panels will help you discover the history of the former salt marshes.

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.

Nature walk to discover the agricultural heritage of the Grand Parc de Figuerolles. Loop that allows you to walk along the Étang de Berre.

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.