> AgglopoleCome Provence and Discover Lively Itineraries in the Heart of Provence www.agglopole-provence.fr Alleins•Aurons•La Barben•Berre l’Etang•Charleval•Eyguières La Fare les Oliviers•Lamanon•Lançon-Provence•Mallemort•Pélissanne Rognac•Saint-Chamas•Salon-de-Provence•Sénas•Velaux•Vernègues BEFORE YOU SET OUT While this guide provides as much detail as possible, using a GPS is always recommended. To enjoy every step of the way… For your safety and to protect the forests, visitor access to all areas > Don’t hesitate to visit our Tourist Bureaus («Offices de tourisme») mentioned in this guide is regulated from June 1 to September 30. Please for recommendations, guidance, and ideas (accommodations, regional call one day ahead (+33 811 20 13 13), for the forest fire danger level: products, outdoor activities, festivals, and more). orange (open access), red (access between 6 and 11 am only), or black > An audio-guided tour is available for each city and village along the way, (walking, driving, and parking prohibited all day). providing you with detailed commentary on historical monuments and natural habitats. Although this guide has been carefully prepared, it may contain errors or omissions. We The audio-guides can be obtained from the Tourist Bureaus. apologize in advance and ask that you inform us of any incorrect information. 2 3 Lively itineraries in A destination in the heart of Provence… the heart of Provence 17 cities and villages steeped in tradition and millennial savoir-faire, offering remarkable historical sites and a well-preserved natural environment This brochure describes three circuits—Val de Durance, Étang de Berre, and Collines Salonaises—that will help you discover an exceptional and diverse region: 133 sites and monuments, 18 festivals, 215 eateries including 12 gourmet restaurants. A region where everyone can explore at their own pace and find what they are looking for. NICOLAS ISNARD PRESIDENT OF AGGLOPOLE PROVENCE We’ve put together this guide as a showcase for the rich offering available in MAYOR OF SALON-DE-PROVENCE the cities and villages of the «Agglopole Provence» urban area. This is part of a broader tourism policy to promote our region not only to tourists, but also to its residents, since tourism is an essential driver of economic growth and job creation. We take this opportunity to thank our tourism professionals who work year- round to offer you quality services and help you discover all the ways you can enjoy our region. Don’t hesitate to contact our Tourist Bureaus, where you will find information and ideas for the perfect trip or get-away. PHILIPPE GRANGE VICE-PRESIDENT OF AGGLOPOLE PROVENCE Here’s to lively adventures and rich discoveries! TOURISM DELEGATE MAYOR OF ALLEINS CONTENTS Itinerary 1 Itinerary 2 Itinerary 3 Route du Val de Durance ............... 4 Route de l’Etang de Berre ............. 14 Route des Collines Salonaises ....... 24 • Mallemort ..................................... 5 • Lançon-Provence .......................... 15 • Pélissanne ..................................... 25 • Sénas ............................................ 7 • Saint-Chamas ................................ 17 • La Barben ..................................... 27 • Eyguières ...................................... 8 • Berre l’Etang ................................. 18 • Vernègues ..................................... 29 • Lamanon ....................................... 9 • Rognac .......................................... 19 • Alleins ........................................... 30 • Pont-royal ..................................... 11 • Velaux ........................................... 21 • Aurons .......................................... 32 • Charleval ....................................... 12 • La Fare les Oliviers ....................... 23 • Salon-de-Provence ....................... 33 1 Route du Val de Durance Past and Present - Along a Major River in Provence ITINERARY 1 The Val de Durance Route will take you along the bed of what was once the Durance River, flowing between the Alpilles mountains and the Costes hills, then dropping straight down into the Mediterranean. That was some 12 million years ago. Today, in the alluvial plain and surrounding area, the Durance River supplies water to most of the villages you’ll pass through, via the Craponne, Marseille, and EDF canals, which follow the ancient river’s path. From these waterways, human beings have shaped the countryside: you’ll see cultivated fields, greenhouses, and orchards (apples, pears, cherries) along the way, with the gentle curves of the Luberon and the sharp peaks of the Alpilles rising above you. And remember: you’ll always be surrounded by the history and heritage of water. 4 5 La Durance Lively itineraries in the heart of Provence D 23b SÉNAS MALLEMORT CHARLEVAL A7 - E714 D 23 D 7n D 561 Grotte Canal EDF D 7n D72 de Calès D17d D16 PONT ROYAL LAMANON D22 EYGUIÈRES D17e > ROUTE AND STOPS ALONG THE WAY Start and end point: Mallemort, Place Raoul Coustet Estimated distance: 70 km LANÇON-DE-PROVENCE • D23b andD15 old Mallemort road to Sénas • D72 to Eyguières (alternate route via D569) QUICK PICKS • D17e to Lamanon D21 • D17d, D16 and N7 to Domaine Pont-Royal > Village Artists Canal de Craponne (alternateCanal route EDF via D71b and D71a) You can make an appointment to visit the painting, sculpture, and pottery studios and galleries in our • N7 then D22 to Charleval LA FARE-LES-OLIVIERS villages. Don’t miss Armelle Andreis’ Provence • D561 then D23 to Mallemort (alternate route forD10 the adventurous via SAINT-CHAMAS landscapes. And for antique lovers,be sure to Colombier and Bramejean) D10 visit the Mas de Chatelan. D16 More information is available D20 from the Tourist Bureau. Arc D10 A7 - E714 VELAUX D21b Km 0D55c in Mallemort, Place Raoul Coustet, in front of the Tourist Bureau. Arc D55 mallemort ALIVE AND WELL ÉTANG DE BERRE D21 > Your itinerary starts with a stroll through the village. ROGNACMallemort was founded two millennia ago, in Roman BERRE-L’ETANG times. Its name, meaning "bad death" in French, dates to medieval times when bandits roved the nearby forests and marshes swamped the surrounding plain. Thanks to an ingenious irrigation system designed by Adam de Craponne in the 16th century, the plain was fertilized with water from the Durance River. By the early 20th century, the village had become an agricultural capital. Its narrow streets are still lively today, flowing with energy like the river that Mallemort overlooks from its hilltop perch. Canal EDF ALLEINS D16 D22b D22d D22b CAZAN VERNÈGUES D68 D68 A7 - E714 D16 AURONS D22 D16 SALON-DE-PROVENCE PÉLISANNE LA BARBEN D22a D572 Val de Durance Explore the village > Take the Rue Fernand Pauriol into the heart of Old Mallemort, where you'll find the Eglise Saint Michel, a church rebuilt between 1751 and 1756. The surrounding streets are full of historic charm: 18th century facades, cobblestones Balcony view of the Durance along Cours Marius Taché and Rue du > To admire the grandest landscape along your itinerary, walk around Cosmonaute… From the Rue du Château, the church and climb the steep path to a panoramic table. Behind you, you'll get your first glimpse of the plain. the ruins of a 12th century church stand in silence. Before you, the Petit Luberon range and the waters of the Durance share the countryside with farmland. You can also admire the famous suspension bridge built in the mid-19th century. ON TO THE NEXT STOP Leave the Tourist Bureau on your left and continue straight through the first roundabout. At the second roundabout, go left toward Sénas, taking D23. Just before a major intersection, take the small road to the right. It will lead you into a typical Provence countryside on the fertile banks of the Durance. High cypress and poplar trees line the road to protect the fields and orchards from the wind. The Petit Luberon rises on your right. You’ll reach a crossroads after around 4 kilometers; go straight through. The old Mallemort road ends after 8 kilometers; take a right on N7, then go straight until Sénas. After a roundabout, follow the signs for the city center, then turn right on Cours Jean-Jaurès. Km 9. Sénas, cours Jean Jaurès 7 In front of the Tourist Bureau / Théâtre de l’Eden 6 Itinéraires admirables au coeur de la Provence Q KS SeNAS UICK PIC > Théâtre de l’Eden Behind its art deco façade, this STILL VIBRANT theater was once home to a movie house as well as a supermarket. Now dedicated to the performing > Nestled among orchards and market arts, the 200-seat venue offers a gardens, not far from the Alpilles and dense and varied program for all Luberon ranges, Sénas has a long history comers from September to June. dating back to the dawn of humanity… Tel. +33 (0)4 90 57 79 36 The prehistoric steles from the site bear witness to its early use and are currently on display at the Musée Calvet, a museum in Avignon. The village also features more recent historical monuments: Eglise Saint-Armand, a church with 18th century frescos, the Pont de la Pierre wash house, and the Pont du Bosquet bridge. Known for its many festivals throughout the year, Sénas also boasts one of the region’s finest country markets. ON TO THE NEXT STOP Return along Cours Jean-Jaurès in the opposite direction. Turn right toward Eyguière (be careful, the sign is difficult to see). Cross railroad Nature's abundance tracks and go straight toward Eyguière. Gradually, the orchards > Along the plane trees that line Place Auguste Jaubert, and rows of trees give way to large more than 40 local producers gather for a market featuring cultivated fields, olive groves, and the rich harvests of the Durance plain. Nearly everything in stretches of pine and almond trees. the stands is grown within a radius of 30 kilometers. The Tour des Opies, highest point Whatever the season, you'll find plenty of variety, excellent of the Alpilles (498 meters) can be quality, and producers with an organic or integrated seen against the horizon. On your approach. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the offering right, the millennium-old ruins of includes regional products, fish, Queen Jeanne’s castle bakery goods, cut flowers, stand atop a rocky peak.