In the heart of the Valley of Les Baux, imbued with the scents of Provence, Maussane les Alpilles is a people place, having preserved its authentic pastoral charm. Amid the pines and olives trees, you sense Nature all around you. The footpaths which traverse the Alpilles are a joy for hikers and bikers.
During a horseback ride you can discover exceptional landscapes - dear to Frederic Mistral, the founder of the felibrige literary movement - and a variety of peasant activities.

Craftsmen have known how to profit from the generous land. Thus your encounter with this corner of Provence and its rich heritage unites itself with all the savours of its aromatic products which have made the region's renown, especially in the quality of life it signifies : oil, olives, jams, honey, breads, lamb, wine...
In Maussane les Alpilles, at the farmer's market, or on a walk, the amiable locals will share their knowledge of the land. Older ones remember the rigors of the winter of '56, which nearly wiped out Olive production. Today, thanks to the tenacity of certain farmers, 2 mills remain in activity and can be visited by tourists. Quality first, as only the "Premier Producers of Olive Oils in France". Would have it...

A rich and authentic culture

The proximity of famous monuments and sites make your vacation even more appreciable. In Maussane les Alpilles, ruins and the Aurelien Way attest to the presence of the Romans. The oppidum of Castelas, Notre Dame Chapel, the Holy Cross Church, the Four Season Fountain, the oratories, the Saint-Roman Chateau are as interesting to visit as for what they tell us about a rich cultural past.

If nostalgia overcomes you, the Animated Santons Museum will enchant you. And... if you listen closely... perhaps you will bear the singing voices of the laundrey women at the old washhouse...

Hiking, mountain biking, tennis, fishing (in summer), boules, swimming-pools, Arenas : bullfights and horse shows, discos.

Golf, mountain climbing, cinema, theater, bowling.

As thoug springing up from the undergrowth, this impressive limestone ridge, crowned by the old town and Castle ruins, is a truly exceptional site.
The Castle was at one time the residence of some of the most powerful "Seigneurs of the South of France", whose dominion spread over 80 towns and cities. Today numerous visitors haunt the empty ruins of the Dead-City, and enjoy the extraordinary views. At the foot of the ridge, boutiques, museums and restaurants fill the actual town of Les Baux, visited by one and a half milion tourists each year.

Situated at the foot of the Alpilles, St Remy de Provence is a charming market town.
Van Gogh came here in 1889 to be treated at the Saint-Paul de Maussole monastery, of which the gardens and 12th century cloisters are open to the public. A museum renders hommage to the local tradition of herbology.
And in the neighborhood, the Roman site of Glanum, displays the splendor of its ruins, including a magnificient Triumphal Arch dating from the year 10 BC and a grandiose mausoleum.

The Alpilles constitute a chain of small limestone mountains rising above the coastal plains. The Baux forms an extraordinary citadel, offering superb panoramic views. Interesting plant life and fantastic views can be found on the other crests.

The plain of La Crau is a curious area, one which, in France, evokes the most a desert. Although not officially a reserve, the site shelters the largest collection of rare birds in France, such as the snipe, sand-grouse and seaducks.

Typically Provencal with tiled roofs, ochre walls and Roman ruins, Arles is situated on the border of the Camargue. A city of lovely traditions, Arles exalts just as much its ancient past as more recent history. The Roman arena, where bullfights take place in summer, offers a panoramic view of the city, while the ruins of the Antique Theater take on their original role each year when they house the Theater Festival of Arles. Finally, the Constantine Palace houses the Roman baths. Several museums contribute to the cultural life of Arles, notably the City Museum, dedicated to Provencal customs.