Grans offers several highlights for a stay: ornate façades in the old town, buildings from several centuries, the Moulin Saint-Joseph and two sections of the GR2013. This lets you include local history and outdoor activities in your plans. Historical dates, the different route lengths and the visiting arrangements for Le Bayle-Vert are particularly useful when deciding what to see.
Façades and Architectural History
The old town of Grans has a remarkable group of ornate façades dating from the late 18th to early 19th century, particularly along Cours Camille Pelletan. Several façades in the old town date from the reign of Louis XV and are designed in the Provençal Rocaille style. These details provide different points of reference in terms of period and style when looking at the town’s architecture.
The Eglise Saint-Pierre-ès-liens was first mentioned in 1207. After it collapsed in 1769, it was rebuilt, enlarged and consecrated in 1772. Inside is a polychrome wooden processional statue of Christ from the 17th century. The statue therefore predates the 18th-century rebuilding; “polychrome” describes its use of multiple colours.
The portal of the Chapelle Sainte-Anne, also known as the Chapelle Mère de Dieu, dates from the 17th century and is inspired by Mannerism. The Lavoir de la Grande Fontaine dates from the early 19th century. Together, these buildings and façades offer a glimpse of several historical periods rather than focusing on just one era.
The Mill and Literary Heritage
The Moulin Saint-Joseph dates back to the 16th century and has been listed as a Monument historique since 1933. It still grinds grain into flour, using the water power of the Touloubre. Production is controlled and certified organic. Its historic status and ongoing production coexist here.
The mill sells organic flours made from wheat, rye, spelt, buckwheat, Khorasan wheat, rice and chickpeas. Packs are available in sizes from 1 to 25 kg.
Le Bayle-Vert is an 18th-century Provençal mas (traditional farmhouse) and is listed as a national monument. Since 2003, the Centre Mas-Felipe Delavouët at Le Bayle-Vert has preserved the memory of the writer and poet Max-Philippe Delavouët, his works and his home, Le Bayle-Vert. The building and its literary heritage are among the area’s different cultural points of interest.
Le Bayle-Vert can be visited by appointment or during events such as conferences, readings, temporary exhibitions and Heritage Days. Check in advance whether an appointment is required for your preferred date.
Two Sections of the GR2013 and Parc de la fontaine Mary-Rose
The two sections of the GR2013 described here differ considerably in terms of route planning. Section A12 runs 8.9 km from Miramas to Grans through the Massif du Pont de Rhaud and follows the Canal de Miramas and the Touloubre for part of the way. Section A13 starts in Grans and runs 5.1 km towards Salon-de-Provence through the countryside around Salon. A13 is therefore 3.8 km shorter; its starting point and direction also differ.
The Parc de la fontaine Mary-Rose has extensive lawns and wooded areas for relaxation and picnics, as well as play and leisure areas. These include Accro Passion, which has an adventure course. The park offers a different focus from the route sections: its facilities for relaxation and leisure take centre stage, while the GR2013 descriptions specify distances and directions.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Étienne-du-Grès, Gignac-La-Nerthe, Le Grau-Du-Roi, Mallemort, Sausset-Les-Pins, Meyreuil, Allauch, Carnoux.
For the overview of the wider area: Bouches Du Rhone.
