Cabannes combines Romanesque heritage with walking and cycling routes. The Chapelle Saint-Michel dates from the second half of the 12th century, while seven walking trails begin at Place de la Mairie. This gives you two distinct focuses when planning your visit: historic buildings and exploring Cabannes and its surroundings on foot. At Pont de la RĂ©publique, local history meets water engineering: part of the Agoutadou can be seen there.
Architectural history and religious sites
The Chapelle Saint-Michel has the features of rural Romanesque chapels in Provence. Its history extends beyond the period in which it was built: until the 13th century, it served as a parish church. In the 17th century, it was revived by the Confrérie des Pénitents Blancs d’Avignon. The building thus offers a chance to trace both Romanesque architecture and later changes in its religious role.
The Ancien château de Cabannes is also part of the town’s historic character. It stands at 5 Rue de l’Église and was listed in its entirety as a historic monument by decree dated 8 April 2022. The protection therefore covers the whole château. Together with the Chapelle Saint-Michel, it illustrates two different aspects of the architectural heritage: a Romanesque place of worship and a château whose listing covers the entire building.
Le lavoir adds a glimpse of work in the past to this architectural history. The former covered washhouse was restored in 1996 and is considered one of the rare so-called standing washhouses. Women washed laundry there while standing. The distinctive term therefore describes not just the building’s form, but also how it was used.
Two oratories add further historical points of interest. The Oratoire Sainte-Madeleine was built in 1765 and is dedicated to Cabannes’ patron saint. A different kind of connection is associated with the Oratoire Saint-Roch: traditionally, people would visit it in August in a procession celebrating the saint. How this tradition is observed today may vary.
Walking trails, canal and cycle route
Seven walking trails begin at Place de la Mairie and lead through Cabannes and its surroundings. Routes may change over time, so check local conditions before setting off. If you are looking for a route with specific details, the Promenade de l’Agoutadou is 6 kilometres long, takes about 30 minutes, follows a shaded route and presents no difficulties.
Part of the Agoutadou can be seen at Pont de la République. The irrigation canal was built by the Templars in the 14th century. The view from the bridge offers a different way to explore Cabannes’ history than the chapel, château or washhouse: here, the focus is on historic irrigation. The canal is also a tangible feature to look out for in the town’s surroundings.
The landscape along the banks of the Durance is also part of the area around Cabannes. This is a biodiverse natural landscape where wild animals and plants can be seen. Another way to combine a visit to Cabannes with some activity is the Voie Verte La Durance à Vélo. This 22.5-kilometre cycle route passes through Cabannes between Plan-d’Orgon and Rognonas. The route details describe its course through the town; the Durance landscape is a separate natural feature of the surrounding area.
When looking for a hotel in Cabannes, it helps to consider what you would like to focus on during your stay: would you like to explore the architectural history, including the Romanesque chapel, château and oratories, or plan some walking and cycling? The historic sites and routes offer different options for planning your day.
Discover more destinations: Entressen, Marignane, Gardanne, PĂ©lissanne, Le Grau-Du-Roi, Peynier, Roquevaire, Ventabren
For the broader travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.
