Plague wall at the start of Cabrières-d'Avignon

The plague wall was built in 1720 to protect the Comtat Venaissin from the plague that was ravaging Marseille. This 27 km long dry stone wall was guarded day and night. Guard posts can be seen all along the wall. For 17 months, the plague did not cross this wall.

Details

5579850
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.81 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,165 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,136 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,024 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 381 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park behind the town hall in Cabrières-d'Avignon.

(S/E) From the start, head up into the village and make your way towards the castle, keeping it on your right.
Small signs already point you towards the Plague Wall.
(1) Then leave the small housing estate on your left and start the climb up the small stony path of Muscadelle opposite. You will then reach the Mur de la Peste crossroads.

(2) Turn right and walk along the wall heading roughly north, following the red and yellow markings ofthe GRP®® Sentier Historique du Mur de la Peste. Further on, join the Piste de Pouraque.

(3) Continue straight on along the wall; the route is still marked by two red and yellow stripes.
Note: stay close to the wall under the cork oaks; don’t stay on the main track, as this route is much more pleasant.
Continue due north to reach the highest point, at the junction of theGR®® 6 andGR®® 97.

(4) Take theseGR®® trails to the left and begin the descent along the stony path into the Grande Plaine valley. At a bend, you’ll reach the Fontaine de l’Oule.

(5) Continue, still on theGR®® trails, and after a few hairpin bends in the Vallon de la Fontaine de l'Oule, you’ll emerge at the junction with the D100a road at the Font de l'Oule hiking signpost.

(6) Turn left onto the small path running alongside this road. Shortly afterwards, you’ll come to another junction with a signpost.

(7) Turn left; you are still on theGR®®6andGR®®97, marked in red and white. Continue climbing to reach the Mur de la Peste junction, which you passed on the way out.

(3) Cross the wall path to take theGRP®® path downhill opposite. Turn right at thefirst junction to reach a cistern.

(8) Continue straight ahead, leaving theGRP®® trails which continue to the left, and return to the original junction in Cabrières-d'Avignon.

(1) Turn left, taking the path back the way you came, to return to the car park behind the town hall in Cabrières-d'Avignon (S/E).
.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 541 ft - Car park behind the town hall, Rue Jean Giono - Eglise Saint Vincent (Cabrières d'Avignon)
  2. 1 : mi 0.3 - alt. 594 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.78 - alt. 709 ft - Crossroads - Mur de la Peste (monts de Vaucluse)
  4. 3 : mi 1.47 - alt. 1,020 ft - Mur de la Peste junction no. 2
  5. 4 : mi 4.37 - alt. 2,021 ft - Crossroads of the GR6 and GR97
  6. 5 : mi 6.15 - alt. 1,102 ft - Fontaine de l'Oule
  7. 6 : mi 7.32 - alt. 381 ft - Font de l'Oule signpost - Fontaine de Vaucluse
  8. 7 : mi 7.7 - alt. 518 ft - D100a junction - GR
  9. 8 : mi 9.16 - alt. 741 ft - Cistern. Leave the GRP
  10. S/E : mi 9.81 - alt. 541 ft - Car park behind the town hall, Rue Jean Giono - Eglise Saint Vincent (Cabrières d'Avignon)

Notes

There is a water point on the first climb along the wall where animals can drink or cool off.
Wear sturdy shoes, as the path on theGR®® 6 andGR®® 97 is stony on the descent.
The walk is well shaded throughout and very pleasant.

Worth a visit

From (2) to (4) The Plague Wall. This wall is a true marvel and well-preserved; it represents a titanic feat of engineering.
The gorges on the way back are well worth a detour.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
User 18892596

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but not in summer as the forest track is in full sun. You can easily take a medium-sized dog along.

Machine-translated

Oussaidi
Oussaidi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We followed this route at a fairly slow pace on a DFCI trail with a gradual climb followed by a descent along a shaded path. We took a detour to Fontaine de Vaucluse, which was well worth it, as it made the hike more interesting with a visit to the castle and village. The return to the starting point is also more interesting.

Machine-translated

Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your kind feedback.

Machine-translated

bernard coulomb
bernard coulomb

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A page of our history to discover as you walk along this wall, and a valley that opens onto a spectacular canyon, pierced with caves and shelters perched at different levels, evoking an even older page.
No problem following the route with GPX.

Machine-translated

Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your feedback.

Machine-translated

Camille30300
Camille30300

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike that is fairly easy to do with the family.

Machine-translated

gegemft
gegemft

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first part of the hike to point 4 is of historical interest. However, the trail turns into a track, which is less pleasant to walk on. The climb is steady and always in the sun. Take care in hot weather. From point 4 onwards, the hike becomes more pleasant and the landscape changes. Although the view is less clear, the relief is highlighted by the numerous cavities carved into the rock. The end of the hike (from point 7 onwards) takes place in the undergrowth, but the slope is quite steep in places. A beautiful hike offering varied and constant effort. Beautiful views and pleasant surroundings.

Machine-translated

Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your feedback.

Machine-translated

dobartek
dobartek

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike
even if the climb between points 3 and 4 is a bit monotonous.
On this section, there is rarely any shade.
The descent is much more beautiful.
I would lower the difficulty level and duration because the climb is steady.
Completed in 5 hours
Thanks to the author.

Machine-translated

Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Do not forget to visit the FFR's Suricate website to report the damaged sign.
They will take the necessary action.
Thank you for your feedback.

Machine-translated

bapmab
bapmab

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Not very busy on Sunday 30 April.
At the intersection of the GR trails, there is a sign for "Lauzas Sud" and 10 metres further on to the left (on the path you need to take) there is a broken post lying on the ground, with no inscription and marked with red and yellow crosses. Two hikers were a little lost, not daring to take this trail that leads in one minute to "Lauzas Nord" and then back to Fontaine du Vaucluse, as described in point (4) of the description.
A very beautiful hike. Thank you to the author!

Machine-translated

Nanie84100
Nanie84100

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk! You do need to be fit, though! The weather was lovely, sheltered from the mistral wind.

Machine-translated

CimesetSentiers84
CimesetSentiers84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello Jacquy
I've listed your hike. Thank you
See you soon

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

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.