The island of Oiselet

A family-friendly walk exploring the Island of Oiselet and the banks of the Rhône.

Technical sheet

136589
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.82 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 6 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 6 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 28 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 17 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Reach the Island of Oiselet using the marked path, Chemin de l’Oiselet. Park in the car park after crossing a rocky area which leads across the backwaters of the river Rhône, just before the old Arméniers bridge.

‘’No markings''
(S) From the car park, follow the tag post directing you to the "Peupleraie" which is at the crossroads facing the rocky feature ahead.
Turn left onto the paved road in the direction of "Oiselay" (old spelling) with views over the old Arméniers suspension bridge (no entry).

(1) At the first intersection, continue past the road ahead lined with very large plane trees and veer right. Follow this shady road for a kilometre without worrying about access to private properties.
Note the views at the right turn over Mont Ventoux, the Dentelles de Montmirail and Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The road heads off to the left towards the Cabanas, turns right and quickly left through fields to reach the "Land of Oiselet" post tag at a T-junction

(2) Head to the right along the road in the direction of Dragonnet. 400 m further on, at the post tag, turn left towards the Rhône dams leaving the tarred road behind.
Cut across a path, continue straight and do the same again and climb a few meters ahead to a path that joins the Rhône embankment.

(3) Take a left on the path that runs along the river for two kilometres.

(4) At a huge sign that reads "Barrage", placed there so boats do not enter this part of the River Rhône, pass a path on the left and continue to the dam.
Head around it on the left and immediately take the following path to the right along the River Rhône, prized by fishing enthusiasts. Continue straight ahead, passing by a path on the left just before reaching the end of the road.
Continue to a sign warning about developments to the Avignon area that reads "Aménagement d'Avignon prudence", and take a path that leads right into the rocks and joins the River Rhône. Continue to the end of the peninsula.

(5) Turn around and take the sandy path to the right that takes you round a small circuit. This path soon joins the path taken at the beginning. Continue on the road, passing a path on the right which joins the river and arrive at the dam.
“N.B. The track to the right on the map which supposedly makes a loop around the peninsula, doesn’t exist... ''
Go past the dam, pass a path down to the right heading to to the water's edge and continue to the next crossing.

(4) Turn right, cross the canal and follow the path continues opposite. This path veers to the right and runs through more or less farmed land for about 1.5 km.

(6) Just before the path veers left, pass two paths to the left and continue across the main road.
Head onto an esplanade and continue on, veering slightly left on the same path to a fork to the right that leads to a raft. Here a fish ladder has been built.

(7) Do not cross it, but continue straight on, always keeping to the path furthest to the right to skirt around the branches of the Arméniers. The trail then leads into the forest on to the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 22 m - Parking de l'Oiselet
  2. 1 : km 0.3 - alt. 23 m - Crossing, turn right
  3. 2 : km 2.53 - alt. 23 m - Turn right towards Dragonnet
  4. 3 : km 3.03 - alt. 28 m - Turn left along the Rhône - Rhône (le)
  5. 4 : km 4.95 - alt. 27 m - Crossing, sign"Barrage"
  6. 5 : km 6.48 - alt. 17 m - End of the peninsula
  7. 6 : km 9.71 - alt. 21 m - Go straight on
  8. 7 : km 10.01 - alt. 22 m - Radier, continue straight on
  9. S/E : km 10.82 - alt. 22 m - Parking de l'Oiselet

Practical information

From the start until point (3), the roadsare paved, then becoming wide stony paths.
Optionally, bring children along on bikes as there are few cars and the paths are not difficult.
If you turn left at point (4) to meet up with point (6), the circuit is shortened by about two kilometres.

In the nearby area

History of the Island of Oiselet

The island was named Île de l'Osier which is a distortion of Oseraie, then Oiselay the eighteenth century. The name Island of Oiselay itself has been subject to many changes over time, to become "Île d’Oiselet" or even "Île de l’Oiselet".

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 37 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
3.4 / 5
Serge V.
Serge V.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

After years of no hiking in this area, we discovered the "autoroute à vélos"!!!!
It's a great route for cycling with children.
There were only 2 cyclotourists on the route, purists lost in the rush of assisted bikes.
We were disappointed for them, as they had to complete the route by calf power;

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PENEZ PATRICK
PENEZ PATRICK

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

The Ile de l'Oiselet is very popular, but not this particular route.

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BG30
BG30

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Busy trail : No

Too much walking on the tarmac. Cars, even on the dyke along the Rhone.

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Babfont
Babfont
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : No

I think it's important to point out that this hike is exposed to full sun, even though it's in Provence, so it's NOT a summer hike. A good part of this walk is on the road, with very few cars, but they drive very fast.
We didn't find the walk very interesting. At one point, from the road, you can see Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail.
The tip of the island is nice with a 'beach' where it must be pleasant to picnic. Unaware of this, we had a picnic under a tree on the banks of the Rhône for shade, stones to sit on and a view of the water, as the white path along the dyke was in full sun and dust due to the strong mistral wind that day.
On the way back, don't hesitate to stop off and visit Châteauneuf du Pape, a magnificent Provençal village with beautiful castle ruins... and good artisanal ice creams 😉. Thanks nonetheless for taking the trouble with the route.

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crapahuteuse
crapahuteuse

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice little walk at a time when you're confined to a 10km radius, but it's a shame that part from the start with 3 people, a lot of tarmac...
On the other hand, around 4, instead of facing the road, we took the path immediately to the right, which was barely used, and ended up on the track leading to 6. There we saw the work of the beavers with the trees well nibbled away.
Thanks for the route.

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tamiene
tamiene

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Easy parking, family-friendly Sunday walk along the Rhône and through the fields. No difficulties.

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papy8430
papy8430

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Sunday walk without difficulty, pleasant in bright sunshine, a little less so with the Mistral.

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grivemusicienne
grivemusicienne

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : Yes

A good circuit, but avoid the whole of the southern part, towards the Sauveterre dam, which is infested with motorbikes, mini-bikes and quad bikes. For the NORTH section, take the route 'des platanes' to reach the Cabannas, then the Rhône, which is less busy than the branch indicated from 1 to 2.

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blairon
blairon

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : Yes

Tarmac too long and too many vehicles on the road

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jmvvisorando
jmvvisorando

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

A pleasant winter walk with no difficulties. This one is best done without the mistral.

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CHABABA
CHABABA

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant, easy ride.

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sodisabi
sodisabi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

A lot of walking on the tarmac road at the start, the 2nd part is more interesting but be well shod as the path is stony.

http://les-croisieres-de-sodisabi.eklabl...

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VALERIE84
VALERIE84

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

An uninteresting walk. Too much walking on the narrow tarmac road, with lots of passing cars. Not recommended for families with young children. Only the last 2 km are attractive.

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Loiseau bleu
Loiseau bleu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Cool walk, but avoid it on a mistral day!

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gthomas84
gthomas84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

What happiness and congratulations for the explanations

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