Meyrargues: Nature, Trails and Heritage

Visitors choosing Meyrargues as a destination can plan their stay around nature, hiking or heritage. A wetland, hiking trails, a year-round audio experience and historic buildings offer a range of ways to explore the area.

Wetland and birdlife

The Étang des Joncquiers is a 15-hectare wetland in Meyrargues and is designated as a Natura 2000 site. It is home to 84 bird species, 23 of which breed at the site. The numbers of bird species and breeding birds may change as future surveys are carried out. Its size, protected status and breeding bird population give nature a specific point of interest within the town. By comparison, the hiking trails bring nature and architectural heritage together in their purpose.

Hiking trails, audio experience and views

Six color-coded hiking trails are designed to help visitors discover the town’s natural and architectural heritage. The historic trail, Sentier historique, runs from Montée du château to Chapelle Mère de Dieu and continues to the orientation board on Saint-Claude hill. The chapel is one stop along the trail, which continues to the board on the hill.

Hétérotopies #1 is a permanent, digitally geolocated musical audio experience on a trail above Meyrargues. It can be experienced throughout the year and offers panoramic views over the Durance Valley, the Luberon and Sainte-Victoire. Unlike the Sentier historique, with its named stops, this experience focuses on listening and views across the surrounding landscapes.

Buildings and traces of history

The Eglise Saint-André has a neoclassical appearance that is thought to date from an extensive restoration in 1822. The history of the Chapelle de la Mère de Dieu spans its complete destruction during the Fronde in 1649 and its reconstruction in 1710. Repairs were made to the château around the same time.

The arches of the Pas de l’Étroit in Meyrargues are among the many remnants of the Traconnade aqueduct; they are the only remnants to have been classified. The buildings reflect different historical themes: the church’s link to the restoration is cautiously attributed, the chapel’s destruction and reconstruction are associated with specific years, and the arches are notable for their special status among the aqueduct remains.

Getting there and regional orientation

Meyrargues can be reached via the A51 motorway, which connects Aix-en-Provence and Gap through the Durance Valley. The town is also involved in developing the signposted cycling route «La Méditerranée à vélo». The route is accompanied by tourist information to help visitors discover notable places and the town’s heritage. This means that, alongside a regional road connection, visitors can find information about local places to explore and the area’s heritage.

Discover more destinations: Peyrolles-En-Provence, Eyragues, Bouc-Bel-Air, Ventabren, Vauvenargues, Roquefort-La-Bédoule, Saint-Chamas, Eyguières

For the broader travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.