The trail of the Moulins de Daudet
"A pretty wood of pines sparkling with light tumbles in front of me to the bottom of the coast. On the horizon, the Alpilles cut their fine crests... No noise. Scarcely, at long intervals, a sound of a fife, a curlew in the lavender, a bell of mules on the road... All of this beautiful Provençal landscape lives only for the light." Alphonse Daudet, Lettres de mon moulin (Letters from my windmill).
8 points of interest
Patrimony and historyThe mill Sourdon
Sourdon The mill was built shortly after the revolution, around 1791 as attested by a former deed, making it the oldest of the four mills. Today the mill is nicknamed "fell" because he was the first to lose its roof and wings. It has been restored into a belvedere in 2015.
FloraThe almond tree
The almond tree is the first tree of the year to bloom, it is the symbol of the arrival of spring. Originally from the Middle East, it arrived in France in the 5th century and became, with the Olive Tree, the symbol of Provence. Nevertheless, its number has greatly diminished in recent decades Actions are now being put in place to permanently reintroduce it into the landscape of the Alpilles.
- Patrimony and history
The mill of Daudet
The mill Ribet or St Peter was built in 1814 and functioned until 1915, when the wheat was requisitioned for war. It is the newest of the four mills of Fontvieille. In 1935, it was the mill, which is now the best preserved, as the Society of Friends of Alphonse Daudet restores. This is why it is commonly called Daudet's windmill.
Savoir-fairethe APSIF
You will have the opportunity to cross APSIF (Assistant Prevention and Forest Fire Monitoring) during your walks in the summer. From 1 June to 30 September, a prefectural decree regulates access to forests department. The APSIF are there to inform you all, to educate you or remind you that the mass is prohibited because of the risk of fire too. Take time to listen to them, they are there for you!
- Flora
Grey-leaved cistus
Grey-leaved cistus is the sweetest of all wild cists, especially because of its petals which give the impression of being crumpled and which inspire its denomination. It is found especially near limestone rocks, at the foot of the massifs. The five petals gather around a heart characterized by its yellow color. You will find this little flower, which rises less than 50cm from the ground, on the edge of the path between the mills.
- Patrimony and history
The mill Tissot Avon
The Tissot-Avon mill is the most eastern of the four near the Castle of Montauban. The latter was a privileged collection of Alphonse Daudet. He himself also said, referring to the mill: "I came to the mill consider the book I would write later". Its activity ceased in 1905, when its last owner, Trophimus Avon miller die. municipal property since 2015, has been completely restored in 2016.
Water and riversIrrigation Canal of the Baux valley
major landmark of the local life, the irrigation channel of the Baux valley which carries water from the Durance, Eastern massif to Fontvieille, was put in water for the first time on July 3 1914. With a flow rate of 3.8 m3 / s, the main channel and secondary network filioles irrigates about 2,800 hectares of farmland south of the Alpilles. It allowed the sustainable development of diversified agriculture that has shaped and still shapes the landscape.
- Patrimony and history
Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens Church
In the classical style, the parish church of Fontvieille, Saint Pierre-ès-Liens has two bell towers. Its construction began in 1695, the old parish church having become too small to accommodate the inhabitants of the village. From 1790 and throughout the post-revolutionary period, the building was transformed into a communal hall. It regains its original vocation in the early nineteenth century and its second tower was built in 1866, which explains the difference in style.
Description
From the tourist office, take the path that runs alongside the playground, then cross the bridge.
1 - Turn right, cross the road and climb to the Sourdon windmill bypassing the water tower on the right. Then, return to the small bridge and turn right towards the Daudet windmill following the wooden panels.
2 - At the windmill, follow the path that gently slopes down to the Ramet and Tissot-Avon windmills. After the first, turn left and go down the road where you can still see the passage of the old carts. Continue to the entrance of the Castle of Montauban.
3 - Turn right and enter the castle courtyard. Possibility of visiting it. Go back through the entrance gate and continue straight up to Cours Hyacinthe Bellon.
4 - At the main one-way street, turn left and go up. Pass the church.
5 - Turn left in front of the bowling alley, then continue to return to the tourist office.
- Departure : Tourist Office, Fontvieille
- Arrival : Tourist Office, Fontvieille
- Towns crossed : Fontvieille
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Watch out for traffic when passing by roads.
The visit of the castle of Montauban is free for children up to 6 years old. Beyond this, the price varies between 2.50 € and 3.50 € .
Information desks
House of the Alpilles Regional Nature Park
2, boulevard Marceau, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Located in the heart of the city centre of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the House of the Alpilles Nature Park welcomes you to its completely renovated premises. This new vibrant place is multifunctional: it accommodates the Park's engineering team but also has a public reception space and showrooms. A true resource centre of the Park's heritage, it aims to support and promote locals, visitors and tourists on all 16 municipalities of the Park.
Open Monday to Friday, from 9 am at 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5 pm.
Free admission.
OTI Alpilles-en-Provence
Place Jean Jaurès, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Transport
Find the times of public transport on the site www.lepilote.com for the town of Fontvieille.
Access and parking
In Fontvieille, follow the D33 in the direction of the tourist office and the Daudet windmills. At 150m, turn left and park in front of the tourist office.
Parking :
Accessibility
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