| Tour 1 : The paths of History : Castles, Chapels, Shrines |
Aix en Provence. Towards Route de Berre via the D10.. |
Ventabren

Shrine of St-Joseph, south exit of the village
in the Fontvieille district - square stone pillar
with two niches back to back, two niches in
the arch, and a flat four-sided roof over all.
In the 16th century, a chapel was built in the
village to replace the Castle chapel (named
after Queen Jeanne of Naples); the chapel was
restored and enlarged in the 17th century and
dedicated to St-Denis. Altar piece by Simon
Mascler (Avignon school of the 15th century),
12th century altar in gilt wood and 15th century
fonts in carved stone.
Leave the village by the D64A, towards Velaux. |
Velaux

Around the year 1000, the site of the actual
village was chosen, probably after a lordly
decision. The inhabitants gathered together on
the heights around the «castrum», which was
probably built around the same time. By the end
of the 15th century, the village belonged to the
Rousset family. It was repopulated by families
from the Alps. The château’s ruins, acquired
by the town in 1981, were restored bit by bit
from 1983 to 1994, the medieval vestiges are
in complete harmony with the modern architecture
which shelters the Donjon museum.
Take the D55C then follow the D20 towards Coudoux.
Then take the D67E to Lambesc.. |
Lambesc

The Jaquemart clock (a historical listed
monument). With its four figures representing
the members of the Jacquemart family, this
clock has set the rhythm of life for the people of
Lambesc since 1646.
Baroque church: the 18th century Notre-Dame
de l’assomption.
Many private mansions from the 17th century
(Cadenet, Charleval, Faudran de Laval, etc).
Return to La Roque-d’Anthéron
via the D67A. Cross the Côtes Range. |
La Roque d'Anthéron

Built next to the Durance river, La Roque is the
source of several historic canals which tell the
story of water in Provence. The place where
humankind may first have invented fire, La
Roque has many facets: it is exuberant like the
water welling up at the foot of the 12th-century
abbey, bathed in light like the 11th-century
chapel clinging to the Goiron hill, and secretive
like the persecuted Vaudois people, inviting you
to explore its narrow, shady streets.
Take the D543 towards Rognes. |
Rognes

The chapel and Hermitage of Saint-Marcellin
(Chemin du Véou): mentioned as early as
the year 840. The complex consists of a 12th
century Romanesque chapel and a 17th century
hermitage. Devastated by the 1909 earthquake,
the buildings were restored in 1989; a pilgrimage
was held at the end of April, when the new wine
was blessed; this tradition now takes place in
September.
Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, 1607. Magnificent
high altar and baroque altar-pieces from the
17th century, in the village centre.
Chapel of St Denis at the entrance to the village,
built during the plague of 1720 (the village was
spared).
Take the D18 towards Saint-Cannat. |
Saint Cannat

• Ruins of the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Vie, the
first parish church of Saint-Cannat. Its origins
are thought to go back to the 12th century. It
was destroyed by the earthquake in 1909, and
its ruins have been made into gardens.
• A reliquary from the 5th century in the parish
church, classed as a Historical Monument.
• Restored Chapel of St-Cannat (17th
century), dedicated to the town’s patron saint,
built to house the remains of
St-Cannat.
• Statue of St-Cannat (17th century).
• Statue of Bailli de Suffren.
Continue on the D18 towards Eguilles. |
Eguilles - Les Figons

The Chapel of St-Alexis des Figons was built
in the 17th century under the protection of
Notre-Dame de l’Assomption (the painted
wooden statue of the Virgin from the 17th
century is probably the chapel’s first statue).
The bell dates from 1661 and is said to have
been blessed by His Grace J. De Grimaldi,
Cardinal Archbishop of Aix from 1655 to 1685.
1704 was the year the chapel was enlarged.
Two paintings are of particular historic interest:
one of the plague in Marseille in 1720 and the
devotion of the Trinitarian order, and the other
of St-Jean de Matha, founder of the Trinitarians.
As the land register of 1580 does not mention
the chapel, it is estimated that the first chapel
was built no later than 1660, since the bell
tower was added in 1661.
Return to Aix by the D17, Eguilles
road. |
See:
All tours - Tour 1 - Tour 2 - Tour 3 - Tour 4
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