Aurons: Village History, Architecture and a Walk
Accommodation in Aurons
When planning a trip to Aurons, there are two clear focuses to choose from: the village’s history and architecture, or a walk to the Plaine de Sonnailler. Sights include the ruins of Château du Castellas, a church with distinctive architectural details, a Romanesque chapel and traces of everyday life in the past. If you’re looking for a hotel in Aurons, you can use these themes to help plan your stay.
Castle, views and village scenery
A fortified castle once stood on the Castellas rock, but it has since disappeared; it is thought to have been built around the 10th century. The ruins of Château du Castellas crown a hill and offer panoramic views over the entire village. The Vierge d'Aurons watches over the village from a rocky outcrop.
Church and chapel
At the heart of the village, Église Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens stands on Place Louis Estienne. Its entrance features a neoclassical tympanum, a decorated panel above the portal. The church also bears the polychrome inscription “Haec est Domus Domini”. Polychrome means multicoloured and describes the inscription’s appearance.
Chapelle Saint-Martin du Sonnailler offers a different art-historical classification: it is a single-nave Romanesque chapel dating from the 12th century. “Single-nave” means that the space is centred on a main nave; “Romanesque” identifies the building’s art-historical style. In the early 2000s, volunteers from the Fraternités Franciscaines fully restored the chapel. The two terms describe different features: one identifies the architectural style, while the other describes the floor plan.
Traces of everyday life in the past
Aurons’ communal bread oven dates from the 17th century and is an authentic testament to the village’s past and everyday life in earlier times. It can be visited around the clock. If you plan to visit, check on-site whether it is open to visitors. The Lavoir d'Aurons washhouse is covered and fully restored, and includes a small fountain. The village’s history is inscribed on its walls.
A walk to the Plaine de Sonnailler
The walking trail to the Plaine de Sonnailler starts at the small car park by Aurons town hall and follows the GR6 long-distance trail. The path is lined with pine trees, argélas, rosemary, rockroses, juniper bushes and oaks. For visitors who would like to include a walk in their day’s plans as well as seeing the buildings, this is a clearly described option with a definite starting point and destination.
Plan your stay around your interests
There are two distinct themes to choose from when deciding what to focus on during your stay: architectural history and traces of village life on the one hand, and the walking trail to the Plaine de Sonnailler on the other. If you’re looking for a hotel in Aurons, consider whether culture and local history, the walk, or a combination of the two best suits your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Rognonas, PĂ©lissanne, Lamanon, Fontvieille, Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde, Boulbon, Eyragues, La Barben
For the broader travel guide: Bouches Du Rhone.
