Graveson brings together the history of artist Auguste Chabaud, traces of the Via Agrippa and the landscape of the Montagnette. You can explore these themes in different ways: on the “Sur les pas d’Auguste” walking tour, at historic buildings and in the garden. You can shape your stay around whether you’re looking for art and local history, nature, or a mix of both.
Art and History in the Village
The Musée de Région Auguste Chabaud opened in 1992 in honor of the artist, who spent most of his life in Graveson. You can also encounter his connection to the town on the “Sur les pas d’Auguste” walking tour, which winds through the village streets to places Chabaud painted. Pictural & Mural offers another perspective on public art. Since 2005, the initiative has made three outdoor public walls available to artists for their work. Today, more than 20 murals can be seen in Graveson; the number may change as individual works are renewed.
The Via Agrippa also brings the town’s earlier history to life. It was built from the 1st century BC and rebuilt in the 1st century AD; the route connected Lyon and Arles. Near Graveson, a particularly well-preserved section has been restored and opened to the public. A 30-metre-long educational mural and explanatory panels at the site describe the archaeological finds. If you plan to visit the section, you can check the local visiting conditions in advance.
The Grand Portail was the village’s main entrance on its western side and is considered a symbol of the Middle Ages in Graveson. Today, it houses an exhibition space about the town twinning with Thônex in Switzerland; its use may change, so if you plan to visit, it’s worth checking the latest information. La roubine, a surviving remnant of the medieval defensive moat, lies alongside the plane-tree-lined Cours. The Eglise Notre Dame de la Nativité de Marie contains paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries; its Romanesque choir is listed as a historic monument. The Maison des arts is in the heart of the village and has an exhibition space with picture rails and display cases, as well as a room for workshops.
Garden and the Montagnette Landscape
The Montagnette is a limestone massif on the natural boundary between the Rhône and Durance valleys. Two-thirds of the massif is covered with Aleppo pines. Its flora also includes olive trees, thyme, farigoule, savory, rosemary and fennel. Near Graveson, the Piémont area is part of the Montagnette: this area covers 300 hectares and is owned by the town. The landscape and plants give this part of a stay a different emphasis from the village’s art and history.
The Jardin des Quatre Saisons offers a smaller, designed contrast to the massif’s landscape. Its four sections represent the four seasons. The public garden is free to enter and open daily; as opening hours may vary seasonally or temporarily, check the latest information before your visit.
On Foot, by Bike and on Specific Dates
For a route through Graveson to the places depicted in Chabaud’s paintings, “Sur les pas d’Auguste” is the themed walking tour to choose. A different perspective comes from Terre de Provence cycling loop No. 5, “Au fil de l’eau”: it is 17 kilometres long and runs from Graveson to Rognonas. These are two different ways to explore the area—on foot, following the village’s art sites, or along a longer route specifically described for cycling. Check the route before setting off, as infrastructure and signage may change.
If you’re planning a trip around a specific date, the local festivals may be of interest. The Fête de la Saint Eloi takes place on the last weekend of July. The tradition includes cavalcades featuring the “carreto ramado,” a cart decorated with greenery or—in other towns—with grain. This is distinct from Graveson’s Fête votive: the Pictural & Mural murals are inaugurated during this festival on the first Sunday in September. As the annual programme may change, it’s worth checking the dates if attending a festival is important to your trip.
The Marché Paysan is also part of the local offer. It celebrates the colours, aromas and quality of local produce; no specific market day is given here. This gives you a clear choice: art, archaeological traces and buildings shape one part of your explorations, while the garden, plant life and the Montagnette shape another. The festival dates and cycling route add specific occasions and a named route to these themes.
Discover more destinations: Lambesc, Boulbon, Eyguières, Jouques, Peypin, Cuges-Les-Pins, Meyreuil, Arles.
For the broader travel overview: Bouches Du Rhone.
