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Aix Itineraries |
Aix Martigue Itinerary |
Aix St-Remy Itinerary |
Aix Verdon Itinerary |
Aix Historic NE |
Aix-en-Provence Historic Itinerary Northwest |
Aix Historic S |
Aix Historic SE |
This itinerary visits 7 villages to the north and northeast of Aix-en-Provence. The route is a loop, with a total distance of 85 km (about 2 hours driving time).
Route Map
This itinerary visits eight villages of historical interest to the northwest of Aix-en-Provence. The route is a loop, with a total distance of 89 km (about 2hr15 driving time).
Our favorites are the Jacquemard clockwork tower in Lambesc and the Silvacane Abbey beside La Roque-d'Anthéron.
Route. [16 km, 27 min]
Depart Aix to the west on the D10 (Route de Berre) to Ventabren.
Ventabren
A picturesque 12th-century village perched on a low wooded hill. The 16th-c chapel Saint Denis restored as the village church in the 17th century. Oratory Saint-Joseph at the south edge of the village. Ruins of the Chateau de la Reine Jeanne. The great Roquevavour stone aqueduct is 4 km southeast.
Location: 12 km west of Aix-en-Provence; 9 km northeast of Rognac and the Etang de Berre.
Route. [6 km, 11 min]
West from Ventabren (either N to the D10 or SW to the D65), via Moulin du Pont to Velaux. Velaux
The village is built on the site of its original 10th-c hilltop castrum, now surrounded by vineyards. Gallo-Roman remains in the St-Martin area. Two ancient life-sized warrior statues discovered here. The Medieval castle remains houses the Musée du la Tour.
Location: 15 km west of Aix-en-Provence; 6 km northeast of Rognac and the Etang de Berre.
Route. [18 km, 28 min]
Return north to the D10 at the Moulin du Pont roundabout, then left (northwest) on the D10 about 1.5 km; Right (north) on the D67E through Coudoux, via Les Quatre Termes to Lambesc.
Small town on the farming plains south of the Durance. Automated 17th-c "Jacquemard" tower clock; 18th-c lavoir. 18th-c Baroque Notre-Dame del'Assomption shurch, with organs and 17th-18th-century paintings. A wonderful historical museum.
Location: 20 km northwest of Aix-en-Provence.; 15 km east of Salon-de-Provence.
Route. [10 km, 14 min]
Go north-northeast on the small D67A road over the Chaine des Côtes to La Roque d'Anthéron. This is a difficult road in the winter; you can also loop to the west (via Pont Royal) or to the east (via Rognes).
Ancient village on the Durance, with the Chateau de Florans hosting (in its park) the annual international piano concert. 2 km east is the 12th-century Cistercian Silvacane Abbey. In the hills 3 km southwest is the 11th-c Chapelle Ste-Anne de Goiron, near ancient troglodyte dwellings.
Location: 25 km northwest of Aix-en-Provence; 5 km southwest of Cadenet. Beside the Silvacane Abbey.
Former 12th-century Cistercian monastery in the Bouches-du-Rhône, northwest of Aix-en-Provence.
One of the "three sisters of Provence" ("les trois soeurs provençales") Cistercian abbeys.
Location: 2 km east of La Roque-d'Anthéron; 4 km southwest of Cadenet; 25 km northwest of Aix-en-Provence
Route. [10 km, 12 min]
Head east from La Roque-d'Anthéron on the main D561; in about 3 km branch right on the D66e, which joins the D543 south to Rognes.
Village below the ruins of the ancient village and 16th-century castle on the hilltop, in an area of vineyards, mills and ancient castle ruins.
The 1607 Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church in the center has magnificent 17th-c alter and alter screen.
The 12th-c Romanesque Chapel and 17th-c Hermitage Saint-Martin (1.5 km NW) were restored following the 1909 earthquake.
Location: 15 km northwest of Aix-en-Provence.
Route. [7 km, 11 min]
West out of Rogne, then immediately left (southwest) on the D18 to Saint Cannat. Saint Cannat
Small Medieval on a farming plain, now surrounded by more modern housing. Remains of the 12th-century Notre-Dame de Vie chapel was the first parish church of St Cannat. Nine fountains including one by Amandier, 1657. A 17th-c statue of St-Cannat; statue of Bailli de Suffren. An excellent regional and historical museum.
Location: 15 km northwest of Aix-en-Provence; 5 km southeast of Lambesc.
Route. [8 km, 10 min]
Go south from the center on Ave Victor Hugo, which becomes Route de Saint-Cannat (D18) going southeast to Eguilles. Eguilles
Named "Aculea" in 1004, Eguilles is built on the Celto-Ligurian oppidum of Pierredon, and sits by the Roman Aurelienne Way that crossed these low hills west of Aix. The early 17th-c Chateau des Boyer is now the Mairie (town hall). Lavoirs and fountains.
Location: 8 km northwest of Aix-en-Provence on the D17.
Route. [3 km, 6 min]
Northeast from the center out the D17 for 500m, then turn right (southeast) onto the Route d'Aix-en-Provence to Les Figons. Les Figons
Hamlet in the commune of Eguilles. The 17th-century Chapelle St-Alexis, enlarged in 1704, has a painted wooden statue of the Virgin from the 17th century and a bell dated 1661; a painting of the plague in Marseille in 1720 and a painting of St-Jean-de-Matha, founder of the Trinitaires.
Location: 6 km northwest of Aix-en-Provence on the D17; 2 km southeast of Eguilles.
Route. [9 km, 14 min]
Southeast to Aix-en-Provence; either from the north of the village, join the route d'Avignon (D7n); or southeast from the village on Route d'Eguilles that joins the D17 into Aix.
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