The Roquesteron botanical trail

Departure from the car park of the Esteron Departmental Nature Park, below the D17 and on the banks of the Esteron. To get there, pass Roquestéron coming from Sigale, continue towards Pierrefeu and drive about 1 km after the bridge over the Riou. Then take a small road that descends to the right in a hairpin bend.

(S/E) Take the small path through the grass and follow it to the footbridge over the Estéron. Take the suspension footbridge on the left. At the end of the footbridge, turn right onto the road and pass the village wash house in La Roque en Provence. Cross the Estéron again on the Pont de France bridge to reach the village of Roquesteron.

(1) At the end of the bridge on the Roquesteron side, turn left to reach a small car park, then walk back up to the village via Rue Passeron. Take the Roman road on the left,^{the second} street going uphill. You will then arrive at the square and pass in front of the fountain

Take the street opposite the bakery, Rue des Fredy, pass the bread oven and go down the street. After a covered passage on the left, note the old forge, continue on the left to join Rue des Alziary.
At the crossroads, turn left onto Rue des Alziary and continue until you reach Sainte-Arige church. Admire the old wash house, the still and an old bread oven. At the church, turn right onto Rue de France,^GR®®510

(2) Pass in front of the town hall, via Rue de France, and join the D1. Turn left after the old oil mill. The road climbs gently up to the Riou bridge. Cross the bridge over the small stream and continue a few metres to the left to reach the crossroads (signpost 111).

(3) Turn left onto the Piste Forestière du Mont Gros. From here, follow the botanical trail. Begin a gentle climb, following this shaded forest track lined with pine, oak and chestnut trees until you reach the Piste de la Villette crossroads.

(4) Turn right and continue along this path, descending for a while longer, still following the botanical trail on the south-facing slope, surrounded by rosemary, thyme and old olive groves. You will arrive at an olive grove in the La Villette district and a crossroads.

(5) Keep right (end of the botanical trail) and join the Route de Nice, D 17. Turn left for 100 m and reach the entrance to the departmental park. Go down the paved road to quickly reach the park car park (S/E).

Additional information for this loop:
- this is a safe route that can be done with children, but please be careful of cars on the D 17.
- part of the route is on the north-facing side of the hill, so bring warm clothing in winter.
The best seasons are spring and autumn.
The only drinking water source is in the village of Roquesteron.
Several possible starting points and car parks:
(S/E) Departmental park, picnic table,
(1) The village of Roquesteron, opposite the Bar-Tabac,
(3) The Riou bridge, marker 111, with shaded parking.

La Roque-en-Provence:
Toilets
Wash house (non-drinking water),
Craft shop (Tourterelle Création),
Le Vieux Moulin restaurant.

Roquestéron:
Fountain (drinking water),
Wash house (non-drinking water),
Toilets,

Bakery, bar (open in the morning, closed on Thursdays in winter),

bars, tobacconist (closed on Mondays)
Grocery store, butcher, health centre, fruit and vegetables, hairdresser.

Don't hesitate to wander through the pretty narrow streets of the two villages, with their characterful houses featuring beautiful door frames and other details, some dating back to the late 17th and 18th centuries.

As you walk through the village, you will notice trompe l'oeil paintings on the walls, doors and other features.

(1) As you cross the bridge, note the boundary stone on the left.
As you climb the Roman road, under the^second covered passageway, you will see the 2nd-century Roman cippus, from which the street takes its name.

Also see the old wash house, the still and the old bread oven along Rue Alziary.

On the north façade of the church, there is a painting depicting the town under a starry sky.