From Villeneuve-lès-Avignon to Beaucaire
Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, the fortress city. Inseparable from the City of the Popes which faces it on the other side of the Rhone, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is dominated by the imposing Fort Saint-André, erected on Mount Andaon like a statue on its pedestal. This site was originally occupied by the Benedictine Abbey and the ancient village of Saint-André. Built by Philippe Le Bel in the 13th century to establish the power of the Kingdom of France against the Empire and the Popes of Avignon, the fort also served as a military outpost to control access to the Rhone between the city and Avignon. A real fortress stretching over 750 m in length, it is from the top of its walkway that one becomes aware of its strategic position: dominating the Rhone valley, one can observe the Palace of the Popes, the Bridge of Avignon which spans the river, and also the Philippe Le Bel Tower, sentinel at the entrance to the city. This panorama is completed by the Chartreuse du Val de Bénédiction, further down in the historic centre of the city: founded in the 14th century by Pope Innocent VI, only a third of its 2 hectares of surface area can be visited today. The view from the Fort Saint-André is of the Abbey Saint-André and its remarkable gardens between terraces, ponds and hundred-year-old olive trees. You will have understood that Villeneuve-lès-Avignon is steeped in history, and the city still preserves sublime treasures of its rich past, such as its famous Pietà de Villeneuve of the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, the original of which from the 14th century is preserved in the Louvre Museum
From the Daladier bridge, go straight on at the crossroads, then immediately turn left just before the railway bridge (at the traffic lights) into the rue du "Chêne vert". Follow this small road which diverges from the Rhone to return to the river after passing under the TGV bridges at "Les Angles". Continue on the Voie Verte des Ponts TGV to the entrance of Aramon
Aramon and its old centre. Take the time to wander through the picturesque streets of the town. You have passed by the Saint-Pancrace church: have you noticed its façade with its entrance portal, its columns, its statues set in niches and its oeil-de-boeuf? Look closely, you will also notice a black band above the side portal: it is a funerary litre painted with the coat of arms of the archdeacon of Fain de Pérault at his death. A statue of the Virgin and Child completes the ensemble. Aramon may surprise you with its rich heritage: in the old town centre, the private mansions are legion and all display splendid architectural details. Don't leave Aramon without seeing its castle: the ramparts used to surround it; the 12-metre high wall is still partly visible today. You can also see the stone bridge, located on the site of the old drawbridge, which connects the castle to the magnificent 7-hectare park where a walk is a must. The castle has the fabulous fact that it belongs to the Sauvan d'Aramon family since 1653. Finally, the river relay "Les Estères" is a beautiful reception area where boaters and barge-hotels like to drop anchor. A real gateway to slow tourism, the Aramon river relay is the perfect complement to a boat/bike itinerary, to visit the surrounding tourist sites in complete freedom
From Aramon to Montfrin, the small roads are easy and perfectly marked. Take the Voie Verte from the Pont du Gard west of Montfrin to the roundabout at the entrance to Beaucaire, where you must take the "chemin de Marguilliers" to enter the town. Be careful when crossing the D2 to join the Voie Verte at Montfrin
Beaucaire, a Provencal town in the land of Argence. Licked by the waters of the Rhone, natural border with the Bouches-du-Rhône, Beaucaire can be proud of its past by displaying the title of city of Art and History. Its old town centre with its many private mansions, and its medieval fortress perched on a rocky spur overlooking the river add to the charm of this city of character. The remains of this powerful fortress underline the scale of the site and its defensive character. Today, the fortress hosts, in season, historical re-enactments and events on the theme of the Middle Ages.City of crafts, Beaucaire is rich in the presence of many craftsmen who open their workshops to visits. A city where the Rhone orchestrates time. From its marina, Beaucaire opens the doors to the Camargue, and offers 230 moorings to boaters. Here, the majestic river has 63 km left before flowing into the Grande Bleue. The most beautiful place to observe it is the Abbey of Saint-Roman. In the middle of the garrigue, this ancient troglodytic monastery dug into the limestone rock, has kept its maze of tunnels serving chapels, monks' cells, wine presses and rock necropolis.
From Beaucaire to Saint-Gilles
The Mas des Tourelles. Between Beaucaire and Saint-Gilles, built on a Gallo-Roman site, the Mas des Tourelles is a wine estate where historical authenticity is cultivated. To come to the Vieux Mas is to be instantly transported back to the Gallo-Roman era and to the history of an active cellar. The harvest period is the best time to visit the place: the farm workers repeat the age-old gestures around the press. The entire wine-making process is reproduced in the Roman manner. Note that from Beaucaire the route joins that of La Méditerranée à vélo. While waiting for a development along the Rhône-Sète canal, a provisional route is proposed from Beaucaire to Saint-Gilles.
The Camargue countryside is full of colour. On small roads, the itinerary penetrates the beginnings of the Camargue plain. Between orchards and rice fields, marshes where egrets, bee-eaters and pink flamingos can be observed, the reputation of the Camargue is well established. The old stone farmhouses, kneaded by time, punctuate the emblematic landscapes of this still wild nature. Man has nevertheless left his mark: the irrigation canals and the roubines constitute a network of waterways necessary for the proper development of crops
On the way to Saint-Gilles. A provisional route marked out on small roads with very little traffic, including a farm track before arriving on the D6113. Be careful here when crossing the D6113 and the D6572 at the entrance to Saint-Gilles. Be careful, there is no signposting to get to Saint-Gilles, just leave the route at the Route des Iscles (D179) to get to the centre. Between the Costières plateau and the Camargue Regional Nature Park, crossed by the Rhône-Sète canal, which has a pretty marina here, Saint-Gilles is the ideal starting point for discovering the Camargue Gardoise, Grand Site de France. The port city is more widely known for its Abbey Saint-Gilles. A masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, the building is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Located on the route to Santiago de Compostela, it is a major pilgrimage site in medieval Christianity. In addition to the upper church, the crypt (lower church) is considered the largest in France. Stroll through the picturesque streets of the old centre of Saint-Gilles and arrive at a beautifully preserved 12th century Romanesque house.
Museum of the Romanesque House. Dedicated to the archaeology of Saint-Gilles, to local ornithology and to regional ethnography, this museum develops its collections on several levels and offers the visitor a complete panel of the history and culture of this corner of the Camargue.
From Saint-Gilles to Grau du Roi
The Scamandre Discovery Centre.
Between Saint-Gilles and Gallician, the temporary itinerary enters the Grand Site de France de la Camargue Gardoise. A route covered with the natural and cultural heritage of the Camargue which will lead you to the Scamandre Discovery Centre. Covering 215 hectares, this centre offers the possibility of approaching the various natural environments of the Camargue: reedbeds, marshes, ponds, sansouïres..., completed by a battery of birds thriving in the wetlands, preserved species that underline the exceptional character of the identity of the Camargue Gardoise. Between Saint-Gilles and Gallician, the provisional and signposted itinerary takes small, lightly traveled roads.In Gallician, at the level of the marina, join the Voie Verte which, following the Philippe Lamour irrigation canal (Bas-Rhône Languedoc), offers you the opportunity to cross the Camargue gardoise with its exceptional fauna and flora. Note that at each end, the Voie Verte is linked to the Camargue Gardoise cycle route (17 km) and its counterpart, the Costières (23 km). At the junction with the D46, there is the possibility of making an excursion (250 m) to the Tour Carbonnière to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Camargue gardoise. From Gallician, two loops linked to the Vauvert - Gallician greenway will allow you to discover the surrounding countryside between vineyards, marshes and reeds. Take the old towpaths of the Rhône-Sète canal and cross the marshes before reaching Aigues-Mortes.
Aigues-Mortes, a fortified town between salt marshes and lagoons.
Aigues-Mortes, whose Latin name means "dead waters", reveals a prestigious heritage. Set like a stone jewel in the heart of the Petite Camargue, between land and water, the medieval city is not lacking in character. The city nicknamed "Little Carcassonne" was built in the 13th century at the instigation of Louis IX. Connected to the sea by a 6 km canal leading to the Grau-du-Roi, Aigues-Mortes is a must-see on your visit. You will not fail to stroll through the perfectly aligned and perpendicular streets of the centre where restaurants with the flavours of the Camargue rub shoulders with the heritage of the Place Saint-Louis, the beating and tourist heart of the city. Listed as a Historic Monument, the 1634 m long enclosure, flanked by 20 towers, offers splendid views over the town. A 13th century military architecture, the rampart walkway still allows us to let our gaze wander over the salt marshes and the Camargue plain.Before resuming your journey for your final stop, make a stop at the Aigues-Mortes salt flats.
Pink magic.
The Aigues-Mortes salt marshes stretch out their colourful magic over 9000 hectares at the foot of the ramparts. Treat yourself to a visit through the salt tables to learn about the work of the salt worker and the secrets of salt crystallization. Marvel at the bright colours and climb to the top of one of the camelles to admire the fabulous panorama of the salt pans with the ramparts in the background.From the centre of Aigues-Mortes, cross the canal on the D718 and take the Rue du Port on your left to follow the Canal du Rhône à Sète to the entrance of Grau-du-Roi.
Le Grau-du-Roi, in the heart of an exceptional area.
In the heart of the Camargue Gardoise, Le Grau-du-Roi is a fabulous mixture of preserved natural areas, Mediterranean traditions, picturesque land and cultural exchanges. The only marine outlet in the Gard, it is a wonderful little fishing port that has kept its authentic face and is a pleasure to walk around with the family. A dynamic seaside town, Le Grau-du-Roi is nonetheless a natural destination. With its 18 km of beach, everyone will find something to do between lazing in the sun, swimming, playing on the sand or water sports on the unmissable spots of Grau. In this natural escape, let yourself be caught by the wild beauty of the beach of Espiguette. From the centre of Le Grau-du-Roi, go to the place de la fête foraine where a cycle track starts, which will lead you safely to the Espiguette beach.The beach of Espiguette and its lighthouse.
10 km of fine sand and virgin of any construction, a unique beach in Europe, concealing a particular fauna and flora; a quality of its bathing water and incredible white dunes which can reach up to 12 m high, make of Espiguette a singular site to preserve. Indissociable from the beach, the lighthouse of Espiguette is emblematic of the place: from the tip of Espiguette, this square tower guides with its light the boats heading into the grau.Seaquarium, aquarium and marine institute.
The Seaquarium of Grau-du-Roi extends over 2400 m2 and is composed of more than 2000 species of Mediterranean and tropical fish, but also 25 species of sharks, without forgetting the seals and sea lions. It is a fascinating world in which you are invited to dive. An interactive journey through the different marine worlds involves the public in learning new knowledge of the environment and lays the foundations for the preservation of this biodiversity. The crossing of Grau-du-Roi has some difficulties (no signposting), but there are cycle tracks along the D255 to the Abîmes bridge.
