Alleins offers several ways to explore its culture and history: a local heritage walk, the Route du Calvaire with its religious stations, and historic buildings. For hiking enthusiasts, there are also trails to chapel ruins, as well as the GR 6 long-distance trail. When choosing your destination, you can first consider whether you want your stay to focus more on local history, architecture or hiking.

Heritage walk and historic buildings

The “Alleins au fil du temps” heritage walk explores the history of the village. Some of its numbered stops feature enamelled lava-stone plaques explaining the history of each place in French and English. The Château d’Alleins offers a different historical perspective: its remarkable remains recall the residence of the Renaud family, who lived there from the late 15th century until the French Revolution. Together, the walk and the château offer two perspectives on the history of Alleins: one focused on individual places, the other on a family and its residence.

At the Chapelle des Pénitents blancs, the façade provides a clear date: it dates from the late 17th century. The chapel is privately owned; to gain access, you must contact the White Penitents. Bear this requirement in mind when planning your visit.

Trails with different focuses

The Route du Calvaire is marked by 14 stone stations symbolising the Stations of Christ. It descends towards the village in gentle, successive hairpin bends and is freely accessible on foot, by bicycle or by car. Its religious focus sets it apart from the heritage walk, whose numbered plaques explain the history of each place.

Hiking destinations include the ruins of the Chapelle Saint-Georges, reached by footpaths from the Petit Sonnailler plain. The GR 6 long-distance trail connects Salon nord (Roquerousse) with Alleins via Vernègues-le-Vieux and passes very close to a chapel. The trail from Petit Sonnailler leads to the chapel ruins; the GR 6 focuses on connecting several places and passing near a chapel. This allows you to compare the different hiking experiences described.

“Intrigue dans la ville” is a family-friendly mystery and puzzle game that lets you discover Alleins at your own pace. It offers a different way to explore the village from following a trail with stops or visiting historic buildings. Check locally to see whether the activity is available.

Getting there and access

You can reach Alleins by car via the nearby A7 and exit 26 at Sénas. Access to the Château d’Alleins is described in more detail: leave your car in one of the village car parks, then continue on foot. This means that the drive to Alleins and the final walk to the château are two separate parts of your journey planning.

Discover more destinations: Berre-L'étang, Cuges-Les-Pins, Fuveau, Martigues, Mollégès, Maillane, Entressen, Meyrargues.

For the broader travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.