Noves reveals its history through places from very different periods: Le Puech points to early settlement, the Porte Aurose to medieval fortifications, and churches and chapels to religious history and later forms of remembrance. There is also the pine-shaded promenade of the Esplanade du Château, with views over the rooftops, and a 12-kilometre cycling route through forests and orchards. For travellers who want to experience heritage and countryside together, there are different ways to explore: historic buildings in the village and a tour through the Provençal landscape.
Early Settlement and Historic Buildings
Le Puech is considered one of Noves’ historic oppida. The Cavares settled there around 600 BC. This early period is markedly different from the village’s medieval heritage. The Porte Aurose dates from a later era: the gate, which has been preserved to this day, dates from the 14th century and is the best-preserved of Noves’ four village gates. Le Puech and the Porte Aurose thus represent two chapters of local history from different periods.
The Church of Saint-Baudile is also an important historic landmark. By decree dated 8 September 1999, it was designated in its entirety as a Monument Historique. The designation therefore applies to the church as a whole.
Esplanade du Château: Promenade and Panorama
The Esplanade du Château combines a historic connection with views of Noves and its surroundings. Today, it is a pine-shaded promenade and recalls a medieval fortress built between the 10th century and the beginning of the 12th century. From the esplanade, there are panoramic views over the rooftops of Noves and the surrounding countryside. Unlike a single building, this site brings together the promenade, the memory of the fortress and views of the village.
Chapels, History and Pilgrimage
The Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Pitié links the village’s early history with a religious tradition. It stands at the site where Noves’ first inhabitant settled and was initially a hermitage for Observant monks. Its nave was built in 1630. In 1722, the chapel was enlarged following a vow made by the inhabitants during the great plague of 1720–1721. The pilgrimage associated with this vow still takes place on the first Saturday in September.
If you would like to take the pilgrimage into account when choosing your travel dates, this recurring September event offers a specific point of reference. The building’s history and the custom relate to different periods: the enlargement in the 18th century and a tradition that continues to this day.
A different story is told by the former Chapelle des Pénitents: since 1995, it has been the Médiathèque Municipale Marc Mielly. Here, a former chapel has been transformed into a municipal media library. Together with the churches and the pilgrimage, this place adds another dimension to the religious and architectural history of Noves.
Cycling Through the Comtat Plain
The 12-kilometre cycling route through Noves and the Comtat plain offers another way to combine heritage and countryside. It passes through forests and orchards and leads to heritage sites scattered across the Provençal landscape. Its length gives the route a clearly defined scope; the landscapes and heritage sites described make it a different way to explore than focusing on individual buildings in the village. This lets you weigh up whether to focus on local history or take a cycling tour through the countryside during your stay.
Noves Infos Tourisme helps visitors discover the village and its heritage and offers a selection of local establishments to help plan their stay. This information point combines discovering local history with practical guidance for planning your visit.
Discover more destinations: Peynier, Mimet, La Roque-D'anthéron, Rognonas, Saint-Rémy-De-Provence, Aureille, Vitrolles, Cabriès.
Return to the overview of the region: Bouches Du Rhone.
