MAUSSANE LES ALPILLES - Over the water
Maussane-les-Alpilles, and its old center, offers you an unusual walk in the heart of its architectural heritage, like a parenthesis in time. Stroll along the streams, gaudre and fountains that mark the landscape. Whether landscaped or wild, the water will guide your visit for an authentic discovery of this typically Provençal village..
7 points of interest
Patrimony and historySainte-Croix Church
Completed in 1754, the church was designed in a neoclassical style by the Avignon architect Joseph Mottard. Externally, the bell tower is a tall square tower terminated by an openwork balustrade and a wrought iron campanile. The interior is a construction with 3 naves. The south side is illuminated by large windows enriched with stained glass windows of the 19th century, while the north side shows blind windows because of the mistral.
Water and riversFontaine of the 4 Seasons
Built around 1869 by the Avignon architect Louis Astruc, it is an unexpected masterpiece for a village that only had 1800 inhabitants. In the center of a large bassin, stands a pillar supporting a cauldron. Around, four feminine figures represent the four seasons. Originally, it served as a public fountain and then became a place of refreshment for the terraces of neighbouring cafes. It also feeds the Napoleon III wash house, located nearby.
- Water and rivers
Napoleon III wash house
This Second Empire wash house style (Napoleon III), was inaugurated on March 26, 1865, after having been realized by the Avignon architect Louis Astruc. The inhabitants of the town came there to do their laundry, making an important social meeting place. For the period this wash house presented a great particularity : It allowed to do the laundry standing, and no longer on the knees. ;
- Patrimony and history
Mural by Jean-Claude Quilici
This mural was realized in 2014 by 35 students under the mentorship of the artist Jean-Claude Quilici. The latter is a painter of Corsican origin, born in Marseille in 1941, who has a workshop in Maussane-les-Alpilles. Specialized in Provencal painting, he exhibited in the largest French, American and Japanese galleries. ;Among other things, he has created a 40m by 4m mural for the University of Corte and a 130m long mural for the Marseille metro.
- Water and rivers
Planet fountain and washhouse
The Planet fountain, was erected in 1810. It was Dr. Denis-Honoré Quenin, then mayor of Maussane-les-Alpilles, who had it built at his own expense on land belonging to him. The water collected at the Grand Moulin de Manville was brought by a pottery pipe in the heart of "Old Maussane". But it will be necessary to wait until 1920 so that this fountain is prolonged of a wash-house. It was then built in the same style as the Napoleon wash, allowing to stand.
- Water and rivers
Gaudre du Trible
The Gaudre du Trible, takes its source north of the village of Baux-de-Provence, cross the town of Maussane-les-Alpilles and flows south in the channel of the Baux Valley. Gaudre, Provençal term meaning "small brook", refers to the natural flows of the Alpilles. These are secondary streams whose flow depends on precipitation. In the dry period, they do not flow any more or less, while during periods of precipitation, they are more abundant.
- Patrimony and history
French map of the cut stone
""French map of the cut stone offered by the quarrymen and stonecutters of today in honour of the quarrymen and stonemasons from the past who, by erecting cathedrals and castles, chapels and modest houses built our common heritage : France." This map is 5 m by 5 and weighs 6 tons. It represents France at 1/200 000 and has as many different stones as departments. It was realized by the “Compagnons Passants Tailleurs de Pierres” association.
Description
From the starting point, join the avenue des écoles and turn left into Benjamin Priaulet Park. Cross it, follow the wall of the media library on the right and take the pedestrian street of Temps Retrouvé.
1- Turn right, pass the church and cross the Laugier de Monblan square on the left. Cross the avenue of vallée des Baux and go down the Charles Piquet street.
2- Turn right on Charles Piquet car park and cross it to the pedestrian crossing on your right. Go up a few meters and take the Simon Barrier street on the left.
3- Turn right before Simon Barnier car park. At the end of the passage, turn left and join the avenue vallée des Baux Take it on the left and turn right on a footpath just after school.
4- At the end of the road, turn left. Go left on Avenue des Maronniers, then right after on the right, rue du Vieux Maussane. Continue right on Charloun Rieu street
5- Turn right and take the Batignolles path. At the end of the road turn on the road des Baux. After a few meters, turn right before the bridge and follow a path in an undergrowth along a small stream.
6- Climb the slope to the right and follow the path lined with almond trees. Go down the steps on the right and join the Agora parking. Cross it, as well as the Avenue des Alpilles and find the starting point, Henri Giraud square.
- Departure : Henri Giraud,square Maussane-les-Alpilles
- Arrival : Maussane-les-Alpilles
- Towns crossed : Maussane-les-Alpilles
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
For your safety, and for the preservation of forest areas, access to natural areas is regulated from June to September. Inquire during the summer period on 08 11 20 13 13 (price of a local call) or on www.bouches-du-rhone.pref.gouv.fr Download the application for free MYPROVENCE ENVIE DE BALADE (available on Appstore and Android Market).
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.
OT Maussane-les-Alpilles
Avenue des Alpilles, 13520 Maussane-les-Alpilles
Transport
Consult the timetables for the municipality of Maussane-les-Alpilles on the site www.lepilote.com
Access and parking
Parking :
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