The most beautiful natural sites to discover Israel

Lower Entrance (side entrance Midreshet Ben Gurion)

The trail is easy to the water drop that flows all year round and flows into a basin. On the walls of the canyon, traces of other more ephemeral falls are visible. It was these waterfalls that eroded the rock and formed the gorges. In some places, caves were used by monks in Byzantine times. From the lower basin, you can go back to the top of the cliff or climb to the top of the cliff with ladders that are mounted in the rock (closed access in case of bad weather). This passage is not recommended for older children and elderly people. You can reach the plateau from where you have a superb view on the canyon. Attention, it is forbidden to go back once the ascent is undertaken (6,5 km).

Upper Entrance (entrance side Ovda National Park)

This access makes it possible to take a walk on the plateau from which the water is flowing during heavy rain in the bottom of the park. The trail is well signposted and easily accessible. You can't get down in the gorge by the built ladders because these are only usable in the Lower Entrance-Upper Gate.

Created in 1982, the Timna Park features desert landscapes of all beauty, with numerous geological formations. These are the oldest known copper mines in the world. Exploited from the fourth millennium BC, it is mainly the Egyptians who, from the th to the th century BC, created here a true copper industry. Among the most curious geological formations are an arch, a mushroom shaped rock, and the "pillars of Solomon", feet high. At the foot of these are the ruins of an Egyptian temple, erected in the th century before our era in honour of the goddess Hathor, protector of minors. Take a look at the hieroglyphs engraved in the rock. The park also houses an artificial lake, fed by the water table, where it is possible to make a pedal boat. Mountain biking and rappel are also part of the proposed activities. Camping near the lake, usually reserved by the groups.

The nature reserve (3,587 ha) was created in 1972 to protect the region's exceptional flora and fauna. A veritable oasis in the heart of the Judean desert, it is criss-crossed all year round by two watercourses: David Stream and Arugot Stream (Stream, Nahal or Wadi). You can follow these streams and bathe in natural pools near magnificent waterfalls. It's also possible to observe animals, including ibex, which are plentiful in the reserve.

This is the first beach on the Dead Sea, coming up from the north. The beach is easily accessible via stairs and ramps. The beach itself is rather small and not necessarily very pleasantly furnished: the umbrellas and plastic chairs are rather basic, whereas the all-inclusive price of 48 NIS promises deckchairs. We therefore recommend that you skip this "offer" and opt for the 18 NIS single entry, bringing your own beach towels. It'll be an equivalent and cheaper experience!

The visit can begin with the screening of a short 3 D film depicting the history of Jérusaem and the City of David, for which you will have to pay an extra fee. This is not a necessity, however, because the site's interest is primarily the discovery of the different areas on foot.

The City of David, the subject of archaeological excavations since 1850, is the oldest site in Jerusalem. It was built on the ancient colony David conquered here about 3 000 years ago. From the observation terrace located near the entrance, you can see the geostrategic importance of the sites. We distinguish between the two valleys that demarcate the hill and the mountains that surround it on all sides: the Temple Mount in the north, the mount des Oliviers to the east, Mount Sion to the west and the crest of Hanatsiv Hanatsiv to the south.

A little below, you arrived in the Royal City, a zone where, at the time of the first Temple, houses were found, all of which suggest that they were inhabited by notables (especially because there was a return to private toilets). In the basement of one of these houses, we also found about fifty clay seals on which names in ancient Hebrew are engraved. These names include the name of «Gemaria ben Shafan», a royal scribe quoted by the Prophet Jeremiah (Chapter 36, verse 10). The royal quarter was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. During the first period of the Second Temple, a new wall of the city was built upstream of this excavation area, placing the ruins of the Royal City outside the limits of Jerusalem.

The route then leads to an underground tunnel (secret tunnel) which leads to the Source source at the foot of the hill, which was the main source of water supply for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This tunnel allowed the Jébuséens (residents of Jerusalem before King David was taken by King David) to join the source in case of siege without being seen by their enemies. It is also certainly through this tunnel that David took the city.

The cananéen tunnel passes next to the top of Warren's well, a large natural well dug in the rock and discovered by English Charles Warren in 1867. It descends up to the height of the source. In order to allow a large number of people to draw them simultaneously, the waters of the source were gathered in a vast basin, surmounted by fortified towers.

You will then be able to borrow the 533 m long Ezéchias tunnel which, after a journey of about 30 minutes, will take you to Silwan Pool or Shiloach Pool (Kings Basin). It is here that, according to the Christian tradition, Jesus would have healed a blind man. The tunnel is filled with water, which arrives in place up to the size: plan shoes and clothes in function and what you change. A flashlight can also be useful. If you don't want to wet, you can still ride through the cananéen tunnel. The purpose of this underground passage, built around 700 BC by the king of Judée Ezéchias, was to lead the waters of the Gihon in a basin located inside the walls, at the southern end of the city. In 1880, an inscription was discovered showing that the tunnel was dug by two teams moving to the other.

From Kings basin, it is possible to return to the entrance of the site on foot. Prefer to borrow the Pilgrim's path, another 700-metre dry tunnel, which leads to the excavation area opposite the main entrance of the site or, according to your choice, at the foot and at the end of the western wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Archeologikal Park (this last exit was opened in 2015). This tunnel is an ancient street in stairs from the end of the Second temple period.

As far as remains are concerned, the main points of interest are the port (with the city's fortifications and a number of relics from different eras, including that of the Crusaders), the hippodrome and the Roman amphitheatre. In the tourist area (the old port), "Time Travel" is a multimedia experience consisting of several films that give you a better understanding of Caesarea's evolution. In the ^20th century, Baron de Rothschild was responsible for the complete restoration of the site. The Caesarea Edmond Benjamin de Rothschild Development Corporation (CDC) now manages the site and the surrounding area. The entrance ticket is valid not only for the national park, which houses the archaeological site, but also for some of the attractions in the tourist zone.

The Roman amphitheatre stands at the southern end of the national park and was built by the emperor Vespasian. King Herod later enlarged it, before it was destroyed in the ^3rd century. People from all walks of life came here to watch dramas and comedies. The structure of the theater follows classical Roman models: a semicircle, blocks of cavea (seats) separated by vomitoria (entrances and exits), the arena and orchestra (stage area) which, in Caesarea, had a high and impressive scaenae frons (backdrop), and finally underground rooms, a kind of backstage area for the actors. Today, some of the original seats can still be admired, along with marble decorations dating from the ^2nd c. Nothing remains of the scaenae frons.

Herod's palace. Admire the remains of an inner courtyard in the guest wing of the magnificent palace of Herod (who would never have stayed in Caesarea himself!). The palace had two guest floors and a central section built at the western end of this courtyard, on a sort of peninsula jutting out into the sea. The remains of this fabulous palace are now partly underwater. Some scholars maintain that the palace did not date from Herod's time, as it was too close to the city's major public buildings (the theater and the hippodrome): Herod, a very suspicious king, would not have built his private palace nearby. In any case, over the years, the palace fell into ruin, and very little remains. The remains of a swimming pool can still be seen, probably supplied with fresh water by the city's aqueducts. A mosaic floor has also been discovered next to the pool.

You will discover, in a peaceful setting reminiscent of an English garden, a double cave where many Protestants are the tomb of Christ, unlike Catholics and Orthodox people who think it is in the Holy Sepulchre. It was the British Charles Gordon who, in 1883, began excavations at this place that would correspond to Jean's description (19: 41): «There was a garden at the place where he was crucified, and in this garden a new tomb. " However, according to archaeologists, this senatorial tomb of the th century B.C., which does not correspond to the "nine" sepulchre to which the Gospels refer.

South of the Old Town, Mount Zion rises to 765 m and boasts sites revered by both the Jewish and Christian religions. Here are the main sites to see on this emblematic mountain.

King David's tomb is a sacred site of Judaism and a place of pilgrimage for centuries. When access to the Wailing Wall was forbidden to Jews after the 1948 war, it was here that they came to pray.

The Cenacle is a highly symbolic place in Christianity, since Jesus is said to have shared his last meal with his disciples here. In 1335, the Franciscans erected a beautiful sanctuary with intersecting ribbed arches.

Next door is theemblematic Abbey of the Dormition, built in 1898 by the German Benedictine order on the presumed site of the Virgin Mary's death. Its circular interior is remarkable for its simplicity and beauty. In the crypt are the remains of the Byzantine church of Hagia Maria Sionand the Crusader church of Mount Sion.

In the Christian cemetery below, you can see the grave of Oskar Schindler (1908-1974), the Austrian industrialist who saved more than 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust, and to whom American director Steven Spielberg dedicated his film Schindler's List (1982).

On the eastern slope, the church of Saint-Pierre en Gallicante, a sanctuary of the Assumptionist Fathers, recalls the three denials of Peter. According to Catholic tradition, this church, built in 1931 over the ruins of a Byzantine edifice, houses the prison where Jesus was confined after his arrest.

Site of the Israeli Tourism Office in France. Site in French.

The Embassy of France in Israel. All contacts and a panorama of Franco-Israeli relations, in cultural, scientific, economic and commercial terms.

Tel Arad is an important archaeological site, with the remains of a Canaanite city and fortresses from the time of the kings of Judah. The Canaanite city is said to have been abandoned around 2600 BC, for reasons that are still unknown. The site remained deserted for around 1,500 years, until the beginning of the Israelite period. It was during this period that several fortresses were erected to defend the kingdom of Judah from incursions from the south. The remains of a Hellenistic fortress (^4th-1st c. BC) have also been discovered here.

When the border between Jordan and Israel was first set in 1992 in the middle of the Jordan bed, some cultivated land was on the Jordanian side. They were finally left to Israel in 1994, in exchange for other land. The road to peace allows to discover some of these lands. The route starts from the Moshav Idan (Iddan), passing through the Moshav Hatseva (Hatzeva) and then closer to the Jordanian border before ending at the mohsav Ein Yahav, near road No. 90 towards Eilat. It is 24 km. There are farms and beautiful views of the Jordanian mountains. This route is also signposted for cyclists. To see on track: Peace Scenic Lookout, at the corner of Badlands Road, opened in 1998, has the names of the generous donors and Hufira Scenic Lookout near Ein Yahav.

Just south of Kalia Beach, it retains the same spirit as nearby establishments, with plenty of space, old-fashioned facilities (plastic chairs, umbrellas), a small sandy beach, a store to buy cosmetics and a place to slather on the mud. There's also a restaurant, a children's pool and changing rooms. The entrance fee of 85 NIS seems a little steep considering the quality of services on offer, but it's still more pleasant than its neighbors. It's also possible to pitch a tent.

The private beach is managed by the Biankini Resort, founded in 2002 and unfortunately little maintained since... The resort offers rooms and bungalows for rent, as well as a camping area. Access to the beach is subject to a fee for visitors not staying at the hotel, and it's true that 80 NIS is a bit steep for the services on offer. As the resort is located high up, a staircase leads down to the beach on a wide wooden pontoon. The beach is equipped with toilets, showers, deckchairs and a snack bar.

This cave, discovered accidentally in 1854, was identified as the one by which King Zedekiah (Zedekias), the last king of Judah, tried to flee to Jericho before the Chaldéennes armies, before the destruction of the First Temple. The cave is also known as the "Solomon quarry" because stones extracted here would have been used to build the Temple of King Solomon.

A cable car lets you get down to the caves with a breathtaking view of the reefs and the sea. Take advantage of it, the journey is barely 1 min… At the bottom of the cliff, a tunnel, built in 1968, gives access to cavities dug in limestone by marine erosion. It is a small maze: 200 m of underground galleries, perfectly practicable, where the sea and. Sometimes, corridors lead to gaping holes where, winter, large waves flow without warning. Near the tunnel dug for the crossing of the railway to Lebanon, a "sound and light" projection is regularly distributed and traced the historic history of the sites. The film lasts 15 minutes and is subtitled in several languages. On Saturdays and days of celebration, you can take a 40-minute walk on a small train along the coast.

A superb place with several natural pools where you can bathe, including a hot water source. The water is at 28 ° C all year round. The lush vegetation, an old windmill and a small waterfall add to the charm of the place. Ideal for a break or to spend the day. Barbecues are available. Within the park, two other places are to be visited:

The Regional Mediterranean Archaeological Museum. This museum houses a collection of vases, pottery, statuettes, jewels… bequeathed by the Greek, Roman, Persian and Etruscan civilizations. You can also see objects discovered in the region dating back to the Neolithic.
The Tower and Stockade Site. Here you will see a reconstruction of the surveillance tower, the barracks and the barricades as they were erected in 1936, in order to protect Tel Amal (the name of the kibbutz) during the Arab revolt. Screening of a 10-minute film on the history of this revolt (1936 to 1939).

The name given to the Archaeological Park is a tribute to Ozer (Bertrand) Berkowitz, a former cleric of the city. Opened to the public in 2009 after long years of excavations, the site provides a better understanding of the history of the city, born in 18 BC, the numerous vestiges brought up from the Roman and Byzantine periods. The archaeological park also houses a large landscape park where playgrounds and family attractions have been installed. Outdoor shows are regularly scheduled.

Excavations carried out on the site allowed the traces of a city built 3 000 years BC to be updated, and on the foundations of which eighteen others were erected successively. Above all, there are Roman ruins, including those of a very well preserved amphitheatre which could accommodate 6 000 spectators (this one is somewhat apart from the main site), a colonnades route, a temple, a basilica, a nymphée, a Byzantine thermal baths, another theatre… Sound and light is presented several times a week in the evening.