Discovering the Alpilles mountains

A sheer slope North neighbours the other side of the Alpilles mountains, gently rolling, undulating, outlining landscapes with character.

The summit of the Alpilles is the Tour des Opies (coming from the Provençal “Aupiho”, which means “Alpilles”), at 493 metres. The range has a long shape, it is bathed by sun, from Avignon to the limits of the Camargue region. Walking there is like entering a typically mediterranean natural place, wonderful and wild.

Anise, thyme and mint scents enhanced by heat, a light whose homogeneous intensity is almost hyponotic, sonorities that belong to it only, the noise of dry grass crunched by feet, make up an atmosphere that make you rest, contemplate and move calmly. On the rocky heights, the garigue: broom, cistus, green oaks, shrub oaks are back to life after any fire.

The slopes are covered in olive trees as far as our eyes can see. This majestic inhabitants, lined up by nature, staying here since the Ancient times give a powerful impression to those who can feel their strength. The olive tree, symbol of eternity, can live more than 3 centuries and regenerate after the biggest disasters, thanks to its stumps, achored in the earth, indestructible.

Omnipresent in the Alpilles’ landscapes, it is the majestic of this place. In bushes, it is often home to the Montpellier grass snake, or the green lizard. There, you can hear the sound of birds, such as the Southern shrike, the bunting, the pitchou warbler and the blue blackbird. Many species of raptors can be found flying there such as the Borelli hawk, known for its stunning flights and dives.