| Tour 2 : The paths of
History : Castles, Chapels, Shrines |
Leaving Aix from Place Bellegarde, follow the old
Alps Road. After the Platanes district, take the A51
motorway via Exit 12 and then follow signs to Venelles.
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Venelles
Founded in the 4th century BC by the Salyens
of the Celto-Ligurian civilisation, Venelles
became a prestigious town in the 19th century.
Numerous stately homes and large mansions
still testify to this golden age of the Aix region.
For those interested in historical buildings,
Venelles has a whole array of interesting shrines
to visit. Don’t miss the church of Venelles le
Haut; the important collection of works by the
great 19th-century sculptor Félix Chabaud; the
source of the Touloubre; the Mill; the spectacular
view from the viewpoint indicator on the roof of
the Voûte Chabaud building.
Leave Venelles via the D13 towards Saint-Canadet, Le
Puy-Sainte-Réparade.
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Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade
Situated on the Eastern side of the Quiho, the
chapel can be accessed from the centre of
the village. It is reported to have been built on
the site of a small fort, below the rock of the
oppidum that was the base for the medieval
chateau. The lintel at the entrance gives the date
20 June 1577. Legend says that a saint who
came to this place at the same time as Saint
Bâche came to Jouques gave her name to the
hill, or that relics were brought there from Nice,
which is why the cathedral bears the name of
Saint-Réparade.
Take the D561 towards Pertuis. At the roundabout turn
left onto the D556 following signs for Pertuis.
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Pertuis
From the Place Mirabeau, named after the
famous name in French political thinker who was
baptised in Saint Nicolas Church, walk towards
the Town Hall along Rue Voltaire, and towards
Cours de la République, via Rue Danton. Pertuis
was a fortified town, and retains a few vestiges
of its medieval past; ramparts, lookout towers,
gates, a keep, mantling.... The Keep, which was
built in the 12th century, now houses the Tourist
Office, here you can pick a map for exploring
the historic town centre where there numerous
information panels.
Return via the D556 towards Aix and then take the fork
to Meyrargues. |
Meyrargues
Bordered on one side by a wooded hillside of
about 900 hectares, Meyrargues owns the last
vestiges of the Roman aqueduct (listed as a
historical monument in 1922) which supplied
the city of Aix with water from the Traconnade
springs in Jouques.
Other points of interest:
• Stone column (1740) supporting the statue of
Notre-Dame de Lourdes (1877)
• Tree of Liberty (war memorial, 1921)
• Church of St-André (1737) in Greek style, restored
in 1822
• Garden gate (1670)
• Chapels of Mère-de-Dieu and St-Sébastien
• Petite Bastide, the birthplace of the poet and
writer Joseph d’Arbaud (1874-1950)
Stay on the D556 to Peyrolles. |
Peyrolles
• The Chapel of St-Sépulcre from the 12th
century (listed): its original form in the shape
of a Greek cross reveals a Byzantine influence.
Inside are wall frescoes and sailors’ graffiti.
• 6 shrines: St-Marc, St-Joseph, Ste-Anne, Ste-Madeleine, Mère-de-Dieu et du Plan. The latter
is a listed monument and is the oldest shrine
in Provence: it was built in 1481, the year King
René died and Provence was annexed to France.
The Mère-de-Dieu shrine, built into the walls of
a house, has Latin inscriptions carved on its
pillar. The shrine of St-Joseph, dating from
1670, has a semicircular vault in the shape of
a shell.
Continue towards Jouques via the D561. |
Jouques
A walk along the public footpaths will reveal a
wealth of human history, full of interest. Rich
religious heritage. Walk through the historic
centre as far as Notre-Dame de la Roque, passing
the former chapel of St-Jean, which is now
the local history museum containing a remarkable
collection of ex-votos from Notre-Dame de
Consolation. Walk from the church of St-Pierre
to the chapel of Notre-Dame de Consolation.
Route past shrines, hill terraces and «borie»
huts. Walk to Le Concors, from Le Taulisson, to
the chapel of St-Consorce. Benedictine Abbey
of Notre-Dame de Fidélité, open to the public
for services only.
Take the D11 towards Vauvenargues.16th century
church. Then the D10 towards St-Marc-Jaumegarde to see the
Chapel of St-Marc, 11th century. 12th century Romanesque
church.
Return to Aix. Bimont dam. |
See:
All tours - Tour 1 - Tour 2 - Tour 3 - Tour 4
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