Lançon-Provence walks

A gentle walk with little elevation gain, on wide, sunny tracks, among kermes oaks, pines and Provençal herbs. Views of the Étang de Berre lagoon and, at times, Montagne Sainte-Victoire.

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.

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.

An easy walk around Grans and through the Crau Verte, avoiding busy roads as much as possible, starting from the west of Salon-de-Provence.

A short hike along the Marseille Canal in the heath.

Located east of Salon-de-Provence, Tallagard is a plateau that stretches towards Aurons and Vernègues and offers easy hikes. Several well-preserved drystone shelters are visible from the start of the hike. The view is pleasant, overlooking the Alpilles, Mont Ventoux, Sainte-Baume and Sainte-Victoire.

This trail is a pleasant walk in the heart of the Tallagard massif, among olive groves, forests and heath.

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.

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.

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 nearly 9 km hike starting from the Berre-l'Étang cooperative offers a beautiful immersion in the heart of varied and peaceful natural landscapes. With a very low elevation gain of 7 m, this loop is accessible to everyone, young and old, regardless of your level of fitness. The route starts at the cooperative car park (cooperative roundabout) and quickly leads you to flat paths surrounded by plains and unspoilt natural areas. You can enjoy the vast expanses typical of the region, walking along the lake with its reflections changing throughout the day.

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

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

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.

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.__

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

This is an easy 16km circuit for a walk in the forest in the Pays d'Aix south of Saint-Cannat, a charming Provençal village located in a plain and surrounded by wooded areas.

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.

This is a long, easy circular route starting from Rognac and heading towards the small pass of Collet Redon, passing by a permanent spring, the Malaga waterfall (Rognac fountain) seen from below and then from the top of its cliffs, and the Fontaine de l'Oule fountain. After passing through the bottom of the valley and around the small pass of Redon, the route rejoins the GRP®2013 and then follows the cliffs of Rognac to the cross overlooking the town. Finally, a last detour to the remains of an ancient oppidum and the ruins of Castellas Castle before returning to the starting point. A magnificent and varied landscape throughout the route.

This route is quite challenging as it passes over several ridges of Mont Trésor and the heights of the Plateau de Séze. The slopes are sometimes quite rugged. This area is wild and very quiet, but it offers views over the Durance valley to the Alpilles and the southern mountains of the department. Please note: the elevation gain is closer to 520 metres.

An easy circular starting from Rognac towards the Collet Redon hill, passing by the Malaga Waterfall (Fontaine de Rognac) and then the Fontaine de l'Oule on the way there. After going around Collet Redon, the route rejoins theGRP®2013 and then runs along the cliffs of Rognac to the cross overlooking the town. A magnificent and varied landscape throughout the route.

A short, peaceful family walk along wide paths, with a magnificent view of the lake, which is even more beautiful at sunset. To see a beautiful waterfall, plan your walk a few days after rain, as this is Provence.

Leaving from Ventabren, a walk in the surrounding hills and then along the Canal de Marseille and ending at the Aqueduc de Roquefavour.

A loop hike starting from Ventabren Village, heading downhill and crossing Arc River to head up the hill on the other side reaching a stunning panoramic view over Mont Ventoux, Eguilles Village, the Aqueduc de Roquefavour Bridge, Sainte-Victoire Mountain and l'Etoile mountain range with the Pilon du Roi.

A 2½-hour circular walk above Lambesc. A steady climb through the woods, then along the ridge of the Côtes mountain range, with superb 360° views of the Étang de Berre, the Alpilles, Mont Ventoux, the Luberon, the Alpes du Verdon and Sainte Victoire. Return via the plateau of the hamlet of Janet through vineyards along farm tracks.

A beautiful hike along the cliffs of Rognac: superb views of the town of Rognac with the Étang de Berre lagoon and the surrounding towns of Vitrolles, Berre and Velaux.

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

Very easy hike. You can see many birds on the Durance. In the village, the orientation table is very informative and you can enjoy views of the Luberon, the Durance and the Alpilles.

A short walk of about an hour. Beautiful views of the Luberon and the villages of Vaucluse.

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.

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.

Loop starting from the Collets Rouges equestrian centre, Vitrolles, the radar, Rognac and back via Salvarenque. Walk on very wide, carriage-accessible paths, to be avoided on windy days (mistral). Views of the Étang de Berre and Marseille-Provence airport.

A circular route in the heart of the Vitrolles plateau with balcony trails in the middle of the Provençal heath, small rocky valleys and wide tracks, former service roads for the villages of Vitrolles, Rognac and Velaux. A peaceful environment with beautiful views.

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.

The highlight of the walk is the wonderful view from the lookout tower over the Alpilles range, giving superb photo opportunities!