The Barthelasse Island in Avignon

de fr

A stroll through the heart of Barthelasse Island, the green lung of Avignon.

Details

n°77375
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.17 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 6 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 6 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 24 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 16 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

BARTHELASSE
The Pont d'Avignon and the Palais des Papes
The Château de la Barthelasse

Description of the walk

Head to the car park at Camping la Bagatelle, below the Pont Daladier bridge.

(S/E) From the car park, opposite the Palais des Papes, walk up the Rhône on the left along the footpath, passing the Pont Saint Bénezet (the Pont d'Avignon) and the Halte Fluviale du Bac des Doms.
Just before the path branches off to the left, a sign indicates that this section of the Rhône riverside path is closed from 1 March to 30 October (the path crosses the terrace of a seasonal restaurant).
Turn left to join the Chemin des Canotiers (opposite the restaurant gate), continue straight ahead on this tarmac path, passing in front of the SNA (Société Nautique d'Avignon).

(1) Turn left onto Chemin de Dardene. Continue straight ahead on the tarmac road until you reach the intersection with Chemin de la Barthelasse. Turn right and continue until you reach the entrance to a roundabout on the left.

(2) Take the first right and rejoin the Route de l'Islon. Continue straight ahead on the D228 for about 1.5 km until you reach the intersection on the right with a road just before the Île aux Castors.

(3) Continue right on this road, which quickly turns into a path, and follow the Rhône. Reach a deciduous forest, then follow a poplar grove.

(4) Take the small path immediately on the right which joins a small paved road (Chemin des Poiriers). Continue on Chemin des Poiriers, ignoring all other paths, until you reach the junction with Chemin du Repos marked by the Jubilee cross.

(5) Turn left onto Chemin du Repos until you reach the cemetery. Then follow Chemin des Pêchers to the right. After three bends, the path arrives near a property (at no. 183). Continue straight ahead until you reach an intersection on the right with Chemin de la Projette.

(6) Continue straight ahead and take a path on the left, passing in front of the barges. When two large rocks block the way, turn right onto the path that leads back to Chemin des Canotiers.

(7). Turn left and continue for 400 m until you reach the original fork.

(1) Continue straight ahead and further on you will find the paved path, near the restaurant Le Bercail. Follow the banks of the Rhône to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 18 m - Parking at Camping la Bagatelle - Rhône (le)
  2. 1 : km 1.36 - alt. 17 m - Intersection of paths
  3. 2 : km 2.42 - alt. 19 m - Roundabout
  4. 3 : km 4.9 - alt. 24 m - Road junctions
  5. 4 : km 7.37 - alt. 23 m - Major crossroads
  6. 5 : km 9.76 - alt. 19 m - On the left, Chemin du Repos
  7. 6 : km 11.65 - alt. 19 m - Intersection of paths
  8. 7 : km 13.4 - alt. 18 m - Intersection of paths
  9. S/E : km 15.17 - alt. 18 m - Parking at Camping la Bagatelle

Notes

The Île de la Barthelasse is an island in the Rhône, located between Avignon (from which it is separated by the "petit Rhône" or "dead arm") and Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (the "grand Rhône" or "living arm").

It covers an area of approximately 700 hectares, 400 of which are cultivable, making it one of the largest river islands in Europe.

This unmarked route can also be explored by bike.

Worth a visit

Visit Avignon, its unmissable Palais des Papes (Popes' Palace) and its multitude of architectural gems.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 32 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
Alain Revello
Alain Revello

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Like my colleagues, I didn't find this walk very interesting, apart from discovering a few fields of fruit trees. As for the route, it's inconceivable to go along the D228 between point 2 and point 3. For my part, I preferred to take the minor roads between the Deux Rhônes campsite, Bellegarde and St Joseph, and to walk along an old dyke for just a few metres on the road before reaching the Parc des Libertés. But too much tarmac for my liking.

Machine-translated

OlivierD63
OlivierD63

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

This hike is not particularly interesting. It is long and flat, with few views. The only noteworthy part is at the beginning, with a magnificent view of Avignon and its bridge. There are also a few orchards and barges to see, but this does not justify a three-hour walk.
I think the route would be more enjoyable by bike.

Machine-translated

fanee
fanee
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello!

A different way to see Avignon.
Discover beautiful barges, farmland and opulent homes!
Orchards as far as the eye can see, apple trees, pear trees, vegetable gardens.
The signage is very basic!
It's mainly on small roads, with very few trails.
We did the hike, 1, 2, 5, and back, because from 3 onwards it's closed!
Not very busy, but we did it during the week at the end of November! In fine weather... it must be crazy!

Machine-translated

Maurice 84
Maurice 84
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Perhaps a bit monotonous on the second part of the journey

Machine-translated

LIONEL13118
LIONEL13118
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Nice route, but as previously reported: at Mas de Combe, the path is closed off by barriers, wire fencing and barbed wire, making it impossible to pass! Turn around at the large Bastide and take the road. THE ROUTE NEEDS TO BE CHANGED - IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING TO HAVE TO TURN AROUND.
Best regards,

Machine-translated

randorhonecamargue
randorhonecamargue
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The first part along the Rhône arm is very relaxing with superb views of the Palais des Papes and the St Bénézet bridge, then the barges and market gardens before the Mas des Combes. The path is closed off with barriers, wire fencing and baebelés, making it impossible to pass! Turn around at the large Bastide and take the road... have a picnic near a charming little church, then return by the road, which is not particularly interesting.

Machine-translated

Lagazelle84
Lagazelle84
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A hike of just over 10 km completed in 2 hours and 20 minutes with a couple of friends. We didn't find it particularly interesting, but we walked on flat ground (stony on the final dyke) and that's what we were looking for as a gentle way to get back into walking.

The description is accurate. Part of the path is not always very clean and is not maintained, so you have to clear a path through the vegetation. The return trip on the dyke is long and monotonous. Good for getting some exercise. However, it's worth finishing with a visit to Villeneuve les Avignon, a beautiful town with some remarkable sites (Fort St André and its garden, the Philippe Le Bel tower, the Chartreuse, the Pierre de Luxembourg Museum and its masterpiece "L'Adoration de la Vierge", the town centre, etc.).

Machine-translated

Sofynet
Sofynet
• Edited:

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
There are some missing details in your description, so we don't know where
we are. This complicates and even distorts the route. Personally, I am unable to
able to follow the route correctly. However, now (this has not always been the case) many paths have names, which makes it easier to find your way around.

Machine-translated

avig193984
avig193984
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

no difficulties, pleasant views along the banks of the Rhône. Not recommended in the height of summer!

Machine-translated

PatrickC
PatrickC
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route was very disappointing. On the one hand, there was a lot of road, and on the other, the route was closed. There was no access, and the owners had put up gates to block the way. A shame. We returned by road

Machine-translated

rosepat30
rosepat30
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

the first part is magnificent until a landowner blocks the dyke after Barthelasse Castle. We had to turn around and take another route

Machine-translated

tarasconrando13
tarasconrando13
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There are many small paved roads in the second part of the route. There are many large apple and pear orchards and beautiful properties: large restored farmhouses surrounded by landscaped grounds and, above all, the Château de la Barthelasse, but we could only see the rear part, as the path in front of it was closed by a barrier between points 2 and 3. (recently seen the state of the barrier - perhaps during the Obama family's stay!?)
The route as described on Visorando therefore needs to be modified.

Machine-translated

baca30@live.fr
baca30@live.fr
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Short mountain bike ride, nice along the Rhone, watch out for dogs in the farmhouses.

Machine-translated

visonapoli
visonapoli
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful flat hike.
The most interesting part is along the Rhône with views of Avignon, the riverbanks, the castle and the "inhabitants" on houseboats.
The second part is surrounded by nature and orchards.

Machine-translated

genevièvemarcuzzi
genevièvemarcuzzi
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

very pretty hike, pleasant in beautiful sunshine

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Avignon and its history

Visorando member
Avignon et son histoire
↔10.43 km ↗+46 m ↘-48 m ◔3h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Avignon (Vaucluse)
City walk to discover Avignon, the unmissable Saint-Bénezet bridge and the Palais des Papes, but also all the lesser known historical monuments that are worth a visit.

Walking The banks of the Rhône in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

Visorando member
Les bords du Rhône à Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
↔9.00 km ↗+66 m ↘-68 m ◔2h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (Gard)
Discover part of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and its heritage, as well as its canal and the banks of the Rhône.

Walking From Chemin des Castors to Chemin de Safrus

Visorando member
Du Chemin des Castors au Chemin de Safrus
↔13.01 km ↗+105 m ↘-105 m ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (Gard)
An easy and pleasant hike through the orchards of the Grande Bastide, the small hamlet of Four and a breathtaking view of the Palais des Papes, Avignon and Fort Saint-André.

Walking Around Mas De Carle

Visorando member
Autour du Mas De Carle
↔7.89 km ↗+140 m ↘-134 m ◔2h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (Gard)
Short walk with successive changes in elevation. Views of the village of Pujaut, the Avignon lock, Fort Saint-André and the Philipe Le Bel Tower.

Walking Around Montagne des Chévres and Chapeau Pointu

Visorando member
↔11.59 km ↗+207 m ↘-203 m ◔3h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (Gard)
Numerous viewpoints: Ventoux, Dentelles, Luberon, Alpilles, Avignon, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

Walking Château Pointu in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

Visorando member
Le Château Pointu à Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
↔5.93 km ↗+108 m ↘-108 m ◔2h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (Gard)
Superb view of Île des Papes, the Rhône Valley and Fort Saint-André.

Walking Montagne des Chèvres - Château Pointu

Visorando member
Montagne des Chèvres - Château Pointu
↔8.74 km ↗+171 m ↘-167 m ◔3h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (Gard)
Easy hike with panoramic views of the Dentelles de Montmirail, Mont Ventoux, the Plateau de Sault, the Luberon and the Alpilles.

Walking The cliffs of Montagné

Visorando member
Les Falaises du Montagné
↔6.63 km ↗+99 m ↘-99 m ◔2h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Pujaut (Gard)
A short, easy walk for a family outing. In good weather you can see the parachutists jump over the Pujaut aerodrome.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.