Aureille: Hiking Trails, the Alpilles and Village History

Aureille lies at the foot of Les Opies, the highest peak in the Alpilles massif at 492 metres. The town is one of the sixteen municipalities that have joined the Alpilles Regional Nature Park Charter. For trip planning, the area combines landscapes, routes through the Alpilles and a village history reflected in distinctive buildings. If you are looking for a hotel in Aureille, these highlights can help guide your choice of destination.

Hiking, cycling and climbing

Aureille has hiking trails for walkers and horse riders in the Alpilles massif. One specific option is La Ronde des Oratoires: this 8.5-kilometre family hiking trail explores the village and its surroundings. Check local access details before setting out.

Another hike is called Un festival d'oiseaux méditerranéens. It loops around Les Opies, is 13.2 kilometres long and takes about four hours. It starts at the car park by the cemetery in Aureille and also ends in Aureille. This means that, alongside La Ronde, described as a family hiking trail, there is a longer hike with an approximate duration to help you plan.

For a mountain bike ride, Les Civadières à VTT is an easy 15.5-kilometre loop that takes about two hours. It starts and ends at the Aureille stadium car park. In terms of duration, the roughly two-hour ride compares with a hike of about four hours; these estimates refer to different activities. The GR® 69 – La Routo long-distance trail crosses Aureille from east to west. Climbing is another possible activity: the Les Civadières climbing area near Aureille offers opportunities for it.

Village buildings and history

The parish church of Notre-Dame in Aureille is built in the Neo-Romanesque style and dates from the second half of the 19th century. The Tour de l’Horloge is also Neo-Romanesque. It was built on the site of the bell tower of the village’s first church, which was called Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption and was formerly known as the parish church of Sainte-Marie. The two buildings therefore reflect different chapters in the village’s history, despite having different origins.

Le Castelas is a ruined fortified castle on a rocky outcrop above the village; most of the structure dates from the 12th century. Oratories mark the village boundaries. These include St-Anne, St-Joseph, St-Roch, St-Véran and St-Eloi. The Oratoire Saint-Véran was listed as a historic monument by decree dated 22 July 1935. Another distinctive architectural feature is the Fontaine pointue, which dates from 1882.

Former everyday places are also part of the architectural heritage. The former Aureille olive oil mill dates from the 17th century and retains its stone millstone and stone mill tower. The public washhouse has two basins, where washerwomen worked kneeling. These details complement the church, fortified castle and oratories with a glimpse into the history of everyday life in the village.

Local products and events

The EARL SEV Gillet cheese dairy in Aureille produces a wide selection of full-fat raw-milk goat cheeses, including faisselles and brousse. It sells its cheeses and dairy products at the Thursday market in Aureille. Before your trip, check whether it will be attending the market on your planned date. Camargue races are often held in the municipal arenas; for specific dates, it is advisable to check the current calendar before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Aubagne, La Barben, Lançon-de-Provence, Port Camargue, Saint-Rémy-De-Provence, Mas-Blanc-Des-Alpilles, Saint-Mitre-Les-Remparts, Alleins.

See the main travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.