La Pierre trail
Orgon

La Pierre trail

A lookout, a viewpoint
Geology
Heritage and history
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This route allows you to discover Orgon's geoheritage and appreciate the flora and fauna variety of the different natural environments.

& Laquo; This walk around the town of Orgon brings a new vision of the landscapes. The observation of the pure urgonian limestone and fossils, as well as of the overview of the valley of Lavau, where a lake surrounded by steep cliffs nestles, make me travel with every visit into the mysteries of time. This geomorphological and geological diversity visible from the orientation table of the Beauregard site opens my eyes to the richness of our land. & Raquo; Fabrice Aubert, head of the Urgonia Museum.


7 points of interest

  • Patrimony and history

    Saint-Gervais chapel

    The Saint-Gervais chapel was built in the 15th century for the tomb of the Mouriès family, one of whose members, Elzéar, founded the hospital in 1428. Observe the built stone structure carved in urgonian limestone. Notice the deterioration effects of the stone. The high porosity weakens limestone said to be chalky and makes it particularly sensitive to the effects of time.

  • Geology

    Old quarries

    This former quarry reflects the cultivations of the 19th to the early 20th century. The limestone was, at the time, extracted into many small private quarries scattered around the town. Depending on its use, workers carved rubble stone or used explosives or mallets to fragment it. The gravel was then transported to the converted grain mills, where the wheels turned the stone to powder, used in various manufacturing processes.

  • Panorama

    Montplaisant viewpoint

    This viewpoint overlooks the Montplaisant quarry operated since 1957. You can discover the urgonian limestone of which Orgon is the eponymous site. The economic value of this deposit is based on the purity and whiteness of the rock composed 99.98% of calcium carbonate. The areas at the end of the operation are restored with surrounding soil which naturally contains the seeds of local plant species. No reseeding is therefore necessary.

  • Geology

    The limestone phases

    On your left, the limestone containing flint are topped with white calcarenite (rock formed from limestone sand) upon which rests rich calcareous corals protruding the wall. These formations typical of transition areas between the deep basin and the internal Urgonian platform are discussed in detail in the geological guide written by Jean-Pierre Masse and Mukerrem Fenerci-Mass, available at the Urgonia museum.

  • Patrimony and history

    Castle of the Duke of Guise.

    This fortress, built in the Middle Ages, controlled the strategic passage between the Durance, which you can admire below, and the Alpilles. A right of passage was collected by a toll at the bottom of the cliff. It was also a prison and was destroyed by order of Richelieu in 1630.

  • Patrimony and history

    Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church

    Built in 1325, this parish church has undergone many changes over time. The bell tower was built in 1660. It contains 6 bells. A U-shaped stairway built in 1669 and renovated in the 19th century provides access to the forecourts.

  • Patrimony and history

    Medieval Gate Sainte-Anne

    West entrance of the second enclosure of Orgon, it is difficult to estimate exactly its age. But we know that it has seen many important personalities since the sixteenth century. Notably, François 1st, who returned from Italy in 1516, stopped a few hours before continuing to Tarascon; Pope Pius VII, who will stay in Orgon and was lodged at the Berne Hotel No. 13 rue Edmond Coste; or Napoleon I, who passed through Orgon to go to Elba island.


Description

From the museum, climb to the arena and take the path with the windmill adjacent to the chains of the DFCI (prevention policy for forest fires) and go through the pine forest.

1 – At the direction sign, turn right towards the chapel. Let on the right and go on the left trail. Continue until about 200 m. An old quarry appair on the left.

2 – Climb the path until the viewpoint then take the trail opposite the viewpoint towards the pine forest. Go down the steps and go along a rainwater ditch bordered by drystone walls. Meet the direction sign.

3 – Turn right towards N. D. Beauregard. Climb to the cemetery going along the right side.

4 – Cross the road to the cemetery. Take the stairs and go up the little road of N.D. Beauregard. Go up to the chapel. Pass under the porch to the left and climb up to the orientation table.

5 – Go back down, pass under the porch again and take the path to the oratories on the left. Go down the steps and then turn to the right and follow the path to the reservoirs. Go down the trail towards the ruins of the castle of the Duke of Guise.

6 – Pass under the Porte de l'Hortet, a fortified gateway. Go down until the church square and take the stairs in the shape of a "horseshoe" to get to the Place de la Victoire. Continue through the Rue Jules Robert until the Porte Sainte-Anne, a fortified gateway. Pass the gateway and take the stairs on the left connected to the Urgonia Museum to end the walk.

  • Departure : Urgonia Museum, Orgon
  • Arrival : Urgonia Museum, Orgon
  • Towns crossed : Orgon

Forecast


Altimetric profile


Recommandations

Follow the blue markings from the Urgonia Museum to the Notre-Dame de Beauregard chapel (from the starting pint to the reference point n°5), then the yellow markings of the latter until the Porte de l'Hortet.

Access to forest areas is regulated from June to September. Inquire on 08 11 20 13 13 (price of a local call) or on www.bouches-du-rhone.gouv.fr Download the “Fire prevention” application.

Information desks

Bureau d'information touristique (BIT) d'Orgon

Chemin des Aires, 13660 Orgon

http://www.orgon.fr+33 (0)4 90 73 09 54

House of the Alpilles Regional Nature Park

2, boulevard Marceau, 13210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

http://www.parc-alpilles.fr/contact@parc-alpilles.fr+33 (0)4 90 90 44 00

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.

Find out more

Transport

Search for the public transport timetables on the website www.lepilote.com in the municipality of Orgon.


Access and parking

On the D7N, follow the signs "Urgonia Museum".

Parking :

Car park opposite the museum and the Orgon tourist information desk and car park of the arenas.

Source

Bureau d'information touristique d'Orgon

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