You can explore a section of the Via Domitia on foot or by bicycle, taking care to watch out for motorised traffic. Other highlights include Glanum, museums with varied themes, a protected birdwatching area and the Wednesday morning market. This allows you to discover Saint-Rémy-De-Provence according to your interests, focusing on ancient history, art, landscapes or Provençal products.
Ancient Routes and Glanum
The Via Domitia walking route covers more than the course of an ancient road. Information panels explain how ancient roads were built, the ancient system of land division and the organisation of roadside stations. If you are interested in the infrastructure of bygone eras, you will find several connected aspects here: construction methods, the organisation of the land and the stations along the routes. You can explore this section on foot or by bicycle, but should watch out for motorised traffic.
Glanum is considered a Gallic city, initially shaped by Greek influences and later by Roman ones. Its sacred spring is a symbol of the site. In the 2nd century BC, its basin was developed into a covered structure with an upper storey. This architectural development gives the site a tangible historical dimension. From the viewpoint, you can see the entire visitor route and eight centuries of settlement and use. This brings together an understanding of the city and a view of its long history of use.
Museums, Art and History
The Musée des Alpilles is housed in the Hôtel Mistral de Mondragon, a Renaissance town mansion in the historic centre. Its collections illustrate the close relationship between people and nature through a wide variety of everyday objects. Workshops and classes for visitors explore cultural heritage, works of art and a range of creative techniques. The museum thus offers both a look at everyday objects and a programme focused on art and design.
The Musée Estrine has a different focus: its collection is devoted to painting and graphic arts from the 20th and 21st centuries. The Collegiate Church of Saint-Martin is a significant part of the history and cultural heritage of Saint-Rémy-De-Provence. Together, these places offer different ways to explore art, architectural history and the history of the town.
The Alpilles Landscape and Lac de Peiroou
The birdwatching trail runs through a protected area. Short-toed snake eagles (Circaète Jean-le-Blanc), Bonelli's eagles (Aigle de Bonelli) and Egyptian vultures (Vautour percnoptère) are frequently seen there. These species give the trail a clear focus on birdwatching, although sightings are not guaranteed. The scale of the landscape also puts it into perspective: woodland covers about a quarter of the municipal area and spans more than 1,500 hectares. A woodland area in Saint-Rémy-De-Provence is part of a Natura 2000 site under the European Habitats Directive.
Lac de Peiroou was formed by a dam built in 1891 to supply water to the village fountains. Today, access is strictly regulated because of the area's ecological sensitivity and the only road leading there, which ends in a dead end. Restrictions may change depending on the risk of forest fires and municipal orders. Check the current guidance from the municipality before visiting. This allows you to plan according to the access rules in force while keeping the sensitive surroundings in mind.
Wednesday Morning Market
The market takes place every Wednesday morning. Products on offer include local olive oils, distinctive cheeses, tapenades and aromatic herbs. Provençal crafts are also represented, including fabrics, ceramics and soaps. The market therefore brings food and crafts together on a regular day of the week. If you would like to include these products in your trip plans, Wednesday morning is the time to schedule a visit to the market.
Discover more destinations: Septèmes-Les-Vallons, Ensuès-La-Redonne, Marseille, Peynier, Saint-Victoret, Rousset, Istres, Venelles
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