Eygalières: Hiking, Scenery and Village History

Eygalières lies entirely within the Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles. From the elevated old village, views stretch from east to west across Mont Ventoux, the Comtat plains, the Rhône Valley and the Cévennes. Explore local history and landscapes on marked hiking trails, on a walk through the old village and at its historic buildings. When choosing an outing, the starting point, trail markings and—where provided—the duration are particularly useful.

Hiking Trails and Planning

The Balade du Petit Calan starts and ends at the stadium car park in Eygalières and is marked as a GR® route. You can also reach the trail by public transport: ZOU! line 706 runs to the “Général de Gaulle” stop. Check the timetable before travelling, as transport schedules may change.

Another option is La Routo: le Gros Calan, a moderately difficult 10.1-kilometre circular hike that takes about three hours. The start and finish are at the car park at the junction of D24 and D25 in southwest Eygalières; the route is signposted with GR® and PR markings. For La Routo, the distance, difficulty level and approximate duration are provided. For the Balade du Petit Calan, the starting and finishing points, trail markings and access by ZOU! line are the main details. Before setting out, check current trail conditions and applicable wildfire regulations.

A separate footpath connects the old village with the Chapelle Saint-Sixte without requiring you to use the road. Check local conditions before your visit. The chapel is about two kilometres from the village; this indicates the distance, not the walking time.

Scenery and Nature

La Routo: le Gros Calan leads to a viewpoint on the 446-metre-high Crête des Civadières. From there, you can see the Alpilles massif, the Petit Luberon and Mont Ventoux. The geology of Gros Calan also tells the story of a landscape from long ago: the rock is limestone, formed in a shallow sea about 160 million years ago.

Along the route, open habitats provide hunting grounds for the endangered Egyptian vulture; sightings are not guaranteed. The Arboretum de Badon is another nature attraction. It contains about sixty trees and numerous shrubs that represent the floristic diversity of the garrigue. Access to natural areas is regulated by a prefectural decree from 1 June to 30 September because of wildfire risk. As seasonal access rules may change, check the official conditions before setting out.

Old Village and Historic Buildings

On a walk through the old village, you’ll see centuries-old houses with carved doors. The Tour de l’Horloge adds a piece of architectural history: it was built between 1662 and 1672 using stones from the ruins of the old feudal castle. The Ancienne Église Saint-Laurent is a Romanesque church built in the early 12th century on the village’s northern rampart. The renovated Vieille Église Saint-Laurent serves as a venue for numerous artistic and cultural events.

The 12th-century Romanesque Chapelle Saint-Sixte stands on a rocky outcrop. Its 17th-century features include the projecting portico, the hermitage and an enclosed garden. The chapel thus brings together different periods of construction. Those interested in local archaeology can find objects from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods, excavated locally, at the Musée Maurice Pezet. The museum is housed in the restored 16th-century Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs. Admission is free; guided tours are available on request. Seasonal access information may change, so it is advisable to confirm before visiting.

Market and Annual Events

The weekly market takes place on Friday mornings in the town centre. Market times may change seasonally or during special events, so check them before your visit if needed. The Foire de la Sainte-Thérèse takes place every year on the first Sunday in October. Costumed participants and demonstrations of traditional crafts are highlights of the festival.

Another annual event is the “Roumavage”, a pilgrimage to the Chapelle Saint-Sixte on the Tuesday morning after Easter. It proceeds from the parish church to the chapel. As the exact schedule should be confirmed before travelling, check the date when making local plans.

Discover more destinations: Port-Saint-Louis-Du-Rhône, Aix-En-Provence, Châteauneuf-Les-Martigues, Saintes-Maries-De-La-Mer, Sausset-Les-Pins, Orgon, Vernègues, Coudoux.

For the wider travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.