When the summer sun peeks out, what's better than admiring the most beautiful landscapes of Grand Avignon? I put on my hiking boots and grab my camera; it's all I need to explore the natural heritage typical of Provence. An olive tree here, vineyards as far as the eye can see there—with every step I take, I'm rewarded with new 360-degree panoramas.

Saze

The Little Draille

C. Darbier

With its gentle way of life, the pretty commune of Saze offers the perfect balance between heritage and nature. As I wander through the cobbled streets, I discover the castle standing proudly in front of me. Rebuilt in the 16th and 18th centuries on medieval remains, it bears witness to the historical richness of the place. On the path, I let myself be carried away by the tranquility of the view, between green fields and panoramas of vineyards as far as the eye can see. But that's not all! The labeled vines Cotes du Rhone et Signargues are omnipresent, adding a touch of charm to this already enchanting setting. I invite you to take a closer look! You will notice that the soil is a little unusual: it is enriched with clay and limestone, protected by rolled pebbles. Perhaps this is why the wine is so good? Try it, you'll tell me!

Winegrower's stroll

Imagine yourself strolling through the narrow streets of Saze, a typical Provençal village bathed in sunshine, located a stone's throw from Avignon and the famous Pont du Gard... This is where I took a half-day tour, on the Petite Draille walk.

 

  • Difficulty : easy
  • Distance: 5 kilometers
  • Duration: about 2h

 


Caumont-sur-Durance

Piécaud Hill

A new summer weekend means a new getaway to Grand Avignon! On the agenda: a short stroll along Piécaud Hill in Caumont-sur-Durance.

Arriving here, I first immersed myself with pleasure in the history of the city of Caumont-sur-Durance by exploring the site of a 1st-century Roman villa. It is also an opportunity to take a bucolic break in the gardens, dedicated to ancient deities. It's the promise of a true journey through time!

If, like me, you are an adventure lover, I invite you to join the Madder trail, a botanical trail to explore on foot. The climb is punctuated by informative displays, allowing you to learn more about the local vegetation and certain protected bird species.

Reward at the top

But the highlight of the show was of course the arrival at the summit of Piécaud hill. Up there, a 360° view opens up before me, with the Durance Valley, the majestic Alpilles and the legendary Mont-Ventoux as a backdrop. It was as if time had stood still. I took a few moments to soak up this breathtaking view! But also a nice photo of my rewarded efforts.

 

  • Difficulty : intermediate
  • Distance: 6,5 kilometers
  • Duration: about 3h

From Saint-Saturnin-les-Avignon to Jonquerettes

The Balade des Copines Walk

To enjoy the dolce vita, Provençal style, embark on a bucolic walk from Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon to Jonquerette: let's go for the Copines' walk!

My escapade began in the best possible way on a Sunday morning, in the lively square in the city center of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Avignon. After enjoying a drink while observing the excitement of the local market, I'm leaving in the direction of Jonquerettes for a visit. In this village surrounded by vineyards and pine trees, cicadas reign supreme as soon as summer approaches!

Sensory walk

The girlfriends' walk is the perfect opportunity to discover these two jewels of Provence. Along the way, I climbed Graille Hill, which offers a breathtaking view of Avignon and the majestic Mont-Ventoux on the horizon. Imagine yourself in the heart of typical Mediterranean vegetation, between holm oaks, fragrant pines and aromatic plants such as juniper and thyme. A true sensory journey!

 

  • Difficulty : intermediate
  • Distance: 8 kilometers
  • Duration: about 3h

Roquemaure

The winegrowers' plateau


I recently ventured to the winegrowers' plateaus in Roquemaure, in Grand Avignon... And let me tell you, it's definitely worth the detour!

Nestled in the heart of the Rhône Valley, Roquemaure is a true gem that perfectly combines the charm of Provence and the richness of Languedoc. Known for its exceptional wines and the relics of Valentine's Day who have slept peacefully in its collegiate church for centuries, this city combines both history and terroir. The walk along the winegrowers' plateau allowed me to immerse myself in the heart of the vineyards, where the grape varieties flourish in iron-rich soil, giving it its characteristic ochre hue. It was on these fertile lands that the “Côtes-du-Rhône” appellation was born, before being enriched with an exceptional vintage: Lirac.

In the heart of the "Côtes-du-Rhône"

Throughout the walk, I was able to admire the old village in all its medieval splendor, with its tower and bell tower emerging majestically, offering breathtaking panoramas. And of course, after the effort comes the reward! I took a well-deserved break at a winemaker's to taste these divine nectars and prolong the moment in the heart of the vines.

 

  • Difficulty : intermediate
  • Distance: 9 kilometers
  • Duration: about 4h

Villeneuve lez Avignon

Discovery of the historical route

It's impossible to talk about strolling and visiting Grand Avignon without mentioning the discovery of the historic route of Villeneuve lez Avignon! For a weekend, set off to discover the heritage gems of this city steeped in history.

Following the route, you will walk along cobbled streets lined with old houses. Not forgetting the cardinal's palaces and the medieval remains which bear witness to the glorious past of Villeneuve lez Avignon !

Unparalleled view

But what I preferred was undoubtedly the ascent of the Chartreux path, which opens onto a breathtaking view once you reach the top: the famous Palais des Papes in Avignon and the superb surrounding massifs. It's like touching history with your fingertips, while contemplating the splendor of the landscapes of Provence!

 

  • Difficulty : easy
  • Distance: 3,7 kilometers
  • Duration: about 1h

Where is Grand Avignon located?

Le Grand Avignon is located in the departments of Vaucluse and Gard, in the south of France, in Provence. The territory is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Occitanie regions.

By train, the Grand Avignon is located less than 30 minutes from Nîmes, Arles, Orange, Aix en Provence, Carpentras and Marseille, 1 hour 15 minutes from Montpellier, less than 2 hour from Lyon and 2 hours 40 minutes from Paris.

Themes

Was this content useful to you?