At the foot of the Opies—the highest peak in the Alpilles massif at 492 metres—Aureille lies in a striking landscape. Two themes are worth considering when planning your trip: trails in the Massif des Alpilles and the village’s architectural and local history. Aureille is one of the sixteen communes that have joined the charter of the Alpilles Regional Nature Park.
Hiking trails and cycling routes
Aureille has hiking trails for walkers and horse riders. La Ronde des Oratoires is an 8.5-kilometre family walking trail that leads visitors through the village and its surroundings. A longer hiking option is Un festival d'oiseaux méditerranéens around the Opies: the route is 13.2 kilometres long and takes about four hours. It starts at the cemetery car park and ends in Aureille. The different distance details help you factor a hike’s length into your plans without treating the routes as the same.
The GR® 69 – La Routo long-distance trail also crosses Aureille, from east to west. For cycling, Les Civadières à VTT is a separate option: this easy circular route is 15.5 kilometres long and takes about two hours. The start and finish are at the Aureille stadium car park. Before setting out, it is advisable to check the local access details for each route.
Landscape around the Opies
The name Un festival d'oiseaux méditerranéens refers to the hiking route’s theme; the route itself is described in terms of its distance and duration. The Mouriès–Aureille hike offers a different impression of the landscape. It runs along the southern slope of the Alpilles through an area shaped by human activity, with olive groves, vineyards and orchards. This places a route around the Opies alongside a hike through cultivated countryside as two distinct ways to experience the area.
Village history in its buildings
The parish church of Notre-Dame in Aureille was built in the Neo-Romanesque style and dates from the second half of the 19th century. The Tour de l’Horloge is also Neo-Romanesque. It was built on the site of the bell tower of the village’s first church, which was called Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption and was formerly known as the parish church of Sainte-Marie. Le Castelas adds a different historical dimension: the ruined fortified castle stands on a rocky spur above the village and was built largely in the 12th century.
Several smaller structures complete this picture. The Fontaine pointue dates from 1882. The public washhouse has two basins, where washerwomen worked on their knees. Aureille’s former oil mill dates from the 17th century and retains its stone millstone and stone mill tower. The oratories mark the edges of the village; these include St-Anne, St-Joseph, St-Roch, St-Véran and St-Eloi. The Oratoire Saint-Véran was listed as a historic monument by decree on 22 July 1935.
Goat’s cheese and Camargue bullfights
The Fromagerie EARL SEV Gillet is part of the local food culture. It produces various goat’s cheeses from full-fat raw milk, including Faisselles and Brousse. The cheese dairy sells its cheeses and dairy products at the Thursday market in Aureille. If you plan to visit the market, check beforehand whether the producer is still expected to attend.
The municipal arenas are also part of village life: Camargue bullfights are often held there. If you are planning a visit, it is advisable to check the latest calendar.
Discover more destinations: Orgon, Le Puy-Sainte-RĂ©parade, Auriol, Rousset, Pont De Crau Arles, Meyrargues, Les Baux-De-Provence, Plan-De-Cuques
For the broader travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.
