Les Alpilles, Col de Vallongue-Pas de l'Aigle
A great hike in the Alpilles between Saint Remy and Eygaliere
A great walk in any season as it gets the sun throughout the day and is sheltered from the sometimes strong, Mistral wind.
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What to bring
This hike can be found on IGN 3042 OT Tarascon
What to see
Sights in Provence
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Monastere de St-Paul-de-Mausole, St Remy de Provence
After your explorations in Glanum, it's worth visiting the asylum where Vincent van Gogh spent one year after the dramatic incident in Arles. The Monastère de St-Paul-de-Mausole is just a short ride from Glanum. Since 1605 it has functioned as a psychiatric hospital, remaining so today.
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Glanum archaeological site, near Saint Remy de Provence
Just 1 km south of St. Rémy-de-Provence, you can enter a world more than 2000 years old. Here the Celtic-Ligurian, Greek and later, the Roman people, settled down in a strategic valley and built and rebuilt a town that was known as Glanum.
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Musee des Alpilles, Saint Remy de Provence
Created in 1919, this museum is located inside a former townhouse, the Hôtel Mistral de Montdragon, which dates from the Renaissance period and is classified as an historical landmark.
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Musee Estrine, Saint Remy de Provence
Since 1989 the association ‘Présence Van Gogh’ has developped an important artistic programme, loyal to the desires of the great Dutch artist who lived in St.Remy de Provence between 1888-1889 who wished that ‘living artists are not unjustly unknown’.
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Château des Baux, Les Baux de Provence
This is one of the best castles we have ever visited, and not just in France! Situated on a rocky outcrop, this fantastic medieval castle has a strong military background, where it was used in the defence of the realm of Provence.
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Musee Yves Brayer paintings, Les Baux de Provence
Opened in 1991, the Yves Brayer Museum displays a hundred or so canvas paintings, watercolours and drawings representative of the artist's work.
Where to lunch
Restaurants in Provence
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Le Temp de Vivre Restaurant, Uchaux
Le Temps de Vivre is situated in the little hamlet of Les Farjons just down the road from Uchaux.
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Cote Sud Restaurant, Uchaux
The Cote Sud has a charming sophisticated interior and includes a lovely terrace where you can enjoy your food when the weather is warm enough.
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Mickael Feval Restaurant
This elegant restaurant is a must-visit for any lovers of modern cuisine and cooking methods. They embrace local produce and evolve their dishes according to the seasons.
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L'Epice & Love Restaurant
This is a popular place with both locals and travellers. It has a small cosy interior so if you want to dine there, best to get there earlier rather than later.
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La Vache a Carreaux Restaurant
This small restaurant is on the Rue Peyrollerie, a winding alley just off the Place St Pierre. It is a great option for vegetarians, offering a wide variety of cheese dishes and salads but there are also fish dishes available.
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Les Chenes Verts Restaurant, Tourtour
This Michelin starred restaurant is situated on the outskirts of Tourtour and specialise in truffle dishes.
What to do
Things To Do in Provence
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Wave Island Waterpark, Monteux
This huge waterpark covers an area of 4.7 hectares and includes a surf simulator, waterslides and a river feature called river land.
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Aqualand Waterpark, Frejus
With numerous slides, including the King Cobra - unique is western Europe - this is the largest waterpark on the Cote d'Azur! Inludes a rest area, show area, clockroom, fast food, grill and pizzeria, ice creams, drinks, and shop.
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Nyonsoleiado Waterpark, Nyons
Waterpark complex that contains a lagoon, 25m pool, whirlpool basin, waterslides for children and adults, cascades of water, rivers, paddling pools and much more.
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Domaine Le Sagittaire Waterpark, Nyons
In the depths of the Drôme countryside in the French Provence, this 5 Star Residential Campsite comes complete with an entirely heated Aquatic Complex, which is open to the public.
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Aqualand Waterpark, Sainte Maxime
This is probably the most family orientated waterpark on the Cote d'Azur. With several friendly slides, a fun pool, food and drinks, ice creams, and shopping all at hand.
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Aqualand Waterpark, St Cyr Sur Mer
Aqualand in St Cyr Sur Mer offer you 11 wicked slides in a great park environment with drinks, food, and shops for you to enjoy.
Where to stay
Cycling Hotels in Provence
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Mon Ventoux B&B, near Sault
This charming B&B has four individually decorated bedrooms, free WiFi and indoor storage for bikes.
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Le Grand Jas B&B, near Sault
This B&B has unbroken views of the mighty Mont Ventoux and is decorated with a charming mix of old and new fixtures and fittings.
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L'Escapade Hotel, Bedoin
Located in a charming small village, with free parking and bike storage.
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La Madelene B&B, Malaucene
This B&B is located between the villages of Malaucene and Entrechaux, near the base of Mont Ventoux.
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Domaine de Pierravon B&B, Bedoin
This fortified farmhouse has been converted into a lovely B&B not far from Bedoin village centre.
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Villa Champ Signoret B&B, Malaucene
Located just 2 kilometres north of the village of Malaucene, this charming B&B has great views of the surrounding mountains and countryside.
Directions
From Saint-Remy-de-Provence travel east on the D99 then after roughly 5km take a right onto the D24. Follow this road for just under 3km and you will see the parking where the GR6 crosses the road.
The walk starts along the GR6 (here a forest road) westwards. After about half an hour you turn left and follow the forest road around its first right bend at the end of the field. Very soon your will see a signpost for the ridge path and follow this into the woods on the left (still marked GR6). It will take half an hour to reach the Col de Vollongue.
The GR path continues on the ridge for roughly 45 minutes, here the path takes a sharp right turn and head up towards the top of the ridge. Once on the top the views are exceptional and the walking mellows out. Continue along the ridge for another 30 minutes where the trail descends sharply and then continues up again towards the Pas de l'Aigle. At the lowest point you will see a path leading left down from the ridge. This is the return path, but if you have the time continue along the path and stop for lunch at the Pas de l'Aigle, then return to this path.
On the way down from the ridge the descent only takes roughly 10 minutes. It ends up on a forest road. Do not take the first road but continue along another 50 meters and take the left just after the sharp bend. The return then follows the GR6 which runs adjacent to the D24. Follow it back to the car park.