The old sand quarries of Bollène

The walk starts from the Montsoleil car park located on the heights, south of the town of Bollène.

(S/E) With your back to the car park, turn left onto Chemin de Jonqueirolles and walk for about 250 metres.

(1) Take a path on the right until you reach a track suitable for vehicles. Turn right and continue along this track for about 1,400 metres.

(2) Turn left onto a narrow path that descends and quickly leads to a T-junction.

(3) Turn left, then go straight ahead until you reach the first lake. Go around it on the left and continue along the path. At the junction, continue straight ahead.

(4) Facing a second lake, take the path on the left and continue to Chemin de Jonqueirolles. Turn right and continue for about 250 metres.

(5) Leave Chemin de Jonqueirolles via a path on the right. This path is circular and leads to the entrance to the quarry.

(6) Enter the quarry through the first gate and exit about 50 metres further on. Take the path back to Chemin de Jonqueirolles and turn right. At the first crossroads, take the tarmac road on the left for about 200 metres.

(7) Take a path on the left. Follow it to the entrance of a housing estate.

(8) Turn left and cross the housing estate until you reach Route de Montsoleil.

(9) Turn left onto this road and continue for about 50 metres. Then take the path on the right, which rejoins the road you left earlier and leads back to the car park (S/E).

The quarries can be visited in depth. Bring a torch or headlamp.

There are no markings on the ground. The maps are not up to date. A GPS track is strongly recommended.

The old sand quarries are all accessible. There is an information panel at the entrance to the first one.