Peyrolles-En-Provence: Lake, Trails and History

Peyrolles-en-Provence brings together several distinct travel interests: Lac de Peyrolles, trails along canals, historic buildings and the Foire à l’Ail, held every year in June. When looking for a hotel for your trip, you can first consider whether activities by the water, history or an event date will shape your stay.

Lac de Peyrolles and its trails

Lac de Peyrolles is a 78-hectare nature area on the site of a former quarry. A 4-kilometre trail runs around the lake. If you would like to include some exercise in addition to visiting the lake itself, the loop trail is a practical way to plan your day. The former quarry also connects the nature area with its past.

Water sports and walks

At the Plan d’eau du Plantain in Peyrolles-en-Provence, the Cercle nautique du pays d’Aix welcomes visitors throughout the year. The club’s activities include rowing, canoeing and kayaking, as well as open-water swimming; the activities are open to everyone. As the programme may change and public access should be checked before your trip, enquire about both in advance.

For walks, the former Canal du Verdon is another option: in Peyrolles-en-Provence, it has been converted into a walking trail. If you prefer a specific destination, consider the Chapelle Notre-Dame d’Astors. A walk from Peyrolles-en-Provence to this chapel follows the canals all the way to the destination. One option focuses on the former canal as a walking trail; the other on a named destination and the route along the canals.

Architectural history and geological traces

The Château du Roy René is classified as a historic monument. The Église Saint-Pierre dates back to the 12th century, and the Chapelle Saint-Sépulcre contains 13th-century wall paintings. The Grotte aux Palmiers offers a very different timescale: it contains fossilised palm remains that are 6.5 million years old. If you would like to include geological traces as well as medieval buildings in your travel plans, the Grotte aux Palmiers offers a distinct focus.

The Foire à l’Ail in June

The Foire à l’Ail takes place every year in June in Peyrolles-en-Provence, giving your travel dates a seasonal focus. The programme for the 2026 edition included an open aioli competition followed by a public tasting. If you would like to plan your trip around the fair, check the specific dates and programme for the edition that coincides with your travel dates.

When to visit and planning

There are two different schedules to consider when choosing your dates: the Foire à l’Ail takes place in June, while the Cercle nautique welcomes visitors at the Plan d’eau du Plantain throughout the year. If the event date is the deciding factor, plan around the relevant edition of the Foire; for water sports, also check the specific programme and public access.

Discover more destinations: Peypin, Saint-Martin-De-Crau, Rognac, Lambesc, Vernègues, La Destrousse, Saint-Estève-Janson, Saint-Victoret

Back to the regional travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.