Nature reserve of Alpilles

Stony vessel bursting under the sun, failed between Luberon and Camargue in a sea of rippling olive trees, here is the massif of the Alpilles. A 30 km long limestone block of which the bright white stands out against the azure of the sky of Provence, this massif, it is the jewel of the Alpilles.

Recently this territory, so particular due to the variety of the natural circles which it offers to the men as to the fauna and to the flora, benefits thanks to the creation of a country natural reserve of measures aiming at the conservation of its fragile balance.

The country nature reserve of the Alpilles

It is the "pitchoun" of the nature reserves of Provence as we would say here... the latest of the 5 country parks of our so beautiful region.

A rare biodiversity, as well as geological and human peculiarities led to the creation in February, 2007 of the country nature reserve of the Alpilles. The purpose being naturally the conservation of the balance of 50 000 hectares and 16 municipalities which counts the territory of the Park. The massif of the Alpilles interests the geologists excessively, the village of les Baux de Provence for example gave its name to a rock discovered in 1821 in these places : the bauxite. As for the village of Orgon it is the name of a time which it inspired, we speak henceforth about limestones of Urgonien which reveal the former history of these territories, in the time when under a tropical climate, a warm sea came to break on these cliffs.

This sea withdrawing slowly lets appear, isolated in the middle of plains, the white massif of the Alpilles. Ground of contrasts, the Alpilles under the dry outside of its hills, hides in fact a fertile soil and especially an invaluable treasure in Provence... water !

Water in the Alpilles

The limestone filigrees of the massif of the Alpilles are tremendous assets for this territory. The faults and the cracks of the massif play in fact the role of water tower, by collecting rainwater and by restoring them in the form of springs in the plain.

At feet of the massif, the small village of Maussane was until 1880 a village of fishermen ! Indeed, the zone situated in the South of the rocks of Pène was a big lake rich in fish. This extent of water was named " The swamps of tles Baux " to fight against certain diseases, they were gradually dried up. But the water is always present, at this moment a 400 km canal network cross the territory.

It is credibly this water and the wealth of the resources of this ground that incited the man to become established in these places thousands years ago…

Landscapes of the Alpilles

Nature and men shaped the Alpilles. The peculiarity of this territory is to reconcile dry spaces and wet spaces, what is a real chance so much for the man, that for the fauna and the flora.

This variety of the natural housing environments makes that the Alpilles shelter more than a hundred rare and protected species, among the most known : the eagle of Bonelli and the owl Big Duke. And the numerous cavities which contains the territory, also make a paradise for numerous species of bats. The flora of the Alpilles is not in rest and also takes advantage of peculiarities of these natural circles, several species are protected at the national level.

A variety which also meets in spaces cultivated by the man. Vineyards and fields of silvery olive trees undulate on the hills of the massif, whereas truck farmings spread their colors in the plain. The landscapes of the Alpilles which inspired so many artists, as Vincent van Gogh, are protected since 2007 by a " Directive of protection and development of the landscapes ". This directive which is the first one in France allowed to list what makes the peculiarity of its landscapes : vineyards, olive trees, hedges of cypress, small roads, canals, villages etc.

Fauna, flora and man found their balance and live harmoniously in the Alpilles. It is this balance which the country nature reserve of the Alpilles has for vocation to protect.

Man in the Alpilles

The 25 000 hectares of farmlands which counts the territory of the Alpilles are the indisputable witnesses of the man's work. The farming is traditionally very diversified here and it is one of the main economic resources of the Alpilles with tourism…

Sublime landscapes, an exceptional historical heritage, a culture and very alive Provençal traditions, the Alpilles attracts more and more people. On this rich territory are more than 200 archeological sites, 67 classified monuments and 58 on the historical register. Men knew how to protect as time goes by a history of which they are proud and traditions which gather them as the seasons go by.

The traditional holidays and the worship of the bull come from the quite close Camargue, gather the inhabitants of the Alpilles for wonderful and unforgettable moments of sharing and remain a source of inspiration for the numerous artists of the place. It is true that in the Alpilles, there is subject in the artistic profusion…

History, culture, art, traditions, bright landscapes... and a real sense of the welcome. The Alpilles have an accommodation facilities of 15 000 beds, you will find certainly a hotel, a holiday rental, a charming bed and breakfast or a camping…

The Alpilles wait for you for unforgettable holidays…