Volx: Olive Culture, Climbing and History

Volx combines olive culture, paths through the garrigue and traces of the town’s history. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, these different highlights can help you plan your days: a visit to the Écomusée de l'Olivier, walks among olive groves or routes in the climbing area. Historic buildings and viewpoints are also among the destinations described in Volx.

Olive Culture at the Écomusée de l'Olivier

The Écomusée de l'Olivier is housed in former lime kilns on the former Route de Forcalquier in Volx. Its themes extend beyond local olive culture to encompass the entire Mediterranean region. Interactive and audiovisual features explain the olive tree’s botany, how the trees are pruned, how the fruit is harvested and how olive oil is made. The thematic journey thus follows the process from the tree and its care through to the processing of the harvest.

Individual visitors can explore the museum free of charge and without a guide; it is independently accessible to wheelchair users. For groups of nine to 40 people, free guided olive oil tastings are available by reservation. Aglandau is the most widely grown olive variety in Volx. This brings local cultivation practices and the wider Mediterranean region covered by the museum together on two different scales.

Walks, Garrigue and Views

Les Chemins de l'Olivier is a signposted walking trail through the olive groves of Volx. It starts at the Piétramal nature base. The Tour de la Garde, by contrast, is a circular route through the typical garrigue of the Luberon that leads to the Volx climbing area. It also reaches the summit of La Garde and offers views across the Durance Valley and the Pays de Lure.

The difference between the routes is clear: Les Chemins de l'Olivier focuses on the olive groves and its named starting point; the Tour de la Garde combines a walk through the garrigue with the climbing area, the summit and the views. If you are interested in the “Eau et Garrigues” interpretation trail, a guide booklet is available to download or from the town hall in Volx.

Climbing Area and Protected Nature

The Volx climbing area is classified as a sport climbing area with a beginner sector. This classification is part of a technical description last updated on 10 July 2020. The area lies on the edge of a protected zone that preserves birds of prey, bats and rock-dwelling plants.

When driving there, note that the final uphill stretch to the climbing area is closed to cars; there is a car park before it. Check the access information before setting out, as the technical description dates from 2020. This will allow you to take this access restriction into account when planning, without confusing it with the climbing area’s classification or the natural features of the surroundings.

Church, Castle and Other Local History

The parish church of Sainte-Victoire was built in 1648. Volx Castle dates from the 12th and 13th centuries and lies in ruins; some arches of its aqueduct remain. From the Château de Volx, the panorama extends to Mont Ventoux, the Pre-Alps and Oisans. At this historic site, the surviving structures and the described view are therefore distinct aspects.

The Galerie de la basse fontaine is also among the described sights. It is about 50 metres deep and can be viewed from the square of the same name. The viewpoint in the square adds a specific, more precisely identified detail of local history to the larger buildings.

Discover more destinations: Entrevaux, La Foux, Saint-Jean, Bevons, Pierrerue, Dauphin, Villars-Colmars, Ongles.

For the wider travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.