Hiking / Mountain biking
The Alpilles is the perfect place for hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts. Indeed, the region has innumerable practicable paths and tracks, adapted to all types of hikers. Novices and experienced sportsmen will find their ideal level of difficulty. Moreover, walking or biking remains one of the best ways to discover the Alpilles, where the beauty of the landscapes can sometimes make you dizzy. Don't forget to take your binoculars to observe the extremely rich fauna in this area.
As far as difficulties are concerned, the Camargue paths are wiser than those of the Alpilles, because of the low elevation of the terrain. There are no big hills, only flat land, which does not take away from the magic of a walk in the marshes, along the canals and the dykes. Marked paths are there to prevent you from getting lost, but especially from entering protected areas, so as not to disturb the animals.
Horse and donkey rides
Do you want to play Louis Stevenson and discover the country on a donkey ? Well, okay, we are not in the Cevennes, but the service is offered by many equestrian centers and the Alpilles are perfectly suited to this activity. But, of course, it is in the Camargue that the horseback ride will prove its value. There again, the offer is plethoric and you will be able to ride through the great wild expanses on the back of magnificent mounts. Horses are the most suitable mode of transportation in this environment of ponds, marshes, cultivated fields and pastures. And if you don't know how to ride, no problem, you will find a competent instructor who will make you feel confident. You will quickly become a skilled rider. Whether you ride for an hour or several days, you will never forget this fabulous experience.
4x4 Safari
Several companies offer this type of service which allows you to discover the Camargue in an original way, a bit like an adventurer on the African tracks. But, of course, you will be accompanied by a guide with a perfect knowledge of the country who will initiate you to the mysteries of the region. All of them are passionate about the area. With an average duration of half a day (but a multitude of offers exist with more or less wild bivouacs), the 4x4 safari is an unforgettable experience. From swamps to rice fields, along the canals, the powerful vehicle transports you in the middle of a world made of unexpected encounters at the bend of a path and images full of emotions. A flight of pink flamingos, a herd of white horses, the sun above the swamps. Yes, perhaps visions of the beginning of time.
Mountaineering
Climbers of all levels will find their happiness in the Alpilles. Indeed, there is no shortage of rock-climbing corridors and they attract, all year round, countless climbing enthusiasts.
The corollary of this notoriety is that practically all the sites that could be equipped are now equipped and well traced. For the still virgin walls, it is about cliffs placed in protected zone because of the presence of raptors. Of course, there are still some more confidential sites known only to a few "pros", but you will have to discover them by yourself. You should not hesitate to ask the locals who know the area perfectly. Some cliffs in the Alpilles are famous, like the famous Canal à Orgon which is one of the most athletic cliffs in France. There are also routes from 5A to 8A.
Golf
The Alpilles are a real paradise for lovers of the white ball, a sport that may seem elitist, but wait for it. Indeed, several golf courses offer to initiates as well as to beginners to perfect their technique in a postcard setting. These fairways, which unfold their undulating courses between fields of olive trees, maritime pines and almond trees, are perfectly integrated into the landscape. We can mention, of course, the golf courses of the Domaine de Servanes, at the foot of the Alpilles, or the Domaine de Manville, an eco-responsible golf course in Baux-de-Provence. These two golf courses, which are upmarket, but nevertheless accessible to all, are true havens of peace offering eighteen-hole courses. Enough to satisfy both the pros and the beginners. So, see you on the fairway?
Hunting
Hunting, both traditional and controversial, is a major activity in both the Alpilles and the Camargue. Highly regulated, due to the presence of numerous protected areas and reserves, it also offers an additional source of income and an alternative to agriculture for certain landowners. They reserve a part of their land for this activity in order to diversify. The opening and closing dates are set each year by prefectural decree, depending on the department and the species hunted. The opening date is generally around mid-September and the closing date around the end of February. In the Alpilles, which offers a wooded and steep territory, wild boar is hunted in particular, but also small game: rabbits and partridges. In the Camargue, the large wetlands allow hunting both terrestrial game, such as wild boar or rabbits, but also water game: ducks, moorhens ...
Scuba Diving
Yes, you can dive in Camargue. Several diving clubs will give you the opportunity to discover the sea bed and some wrecks. Let's be honest, these are not the most beautiful bottoms of the Mediterranean coast and visibility can sometimes be poor, due to the proximity of the mouth of the Rhone, but there are still some nice spots to explore. The local diving clubs and divers know them very well. Moreover, as there are fewer divers than in Marseille or Cassis, you will be able to dive more serenely, being perfectly supervised. The sites are rather easy. It is an excellent place to learn to dive and, why not, to get a certificate that will allow you to discover other destinations.
Swimming
Swimming is not really the main theme of the Alpilles where you will find very few rivers and bodies of water to take a dip. The lake of Peiroou, in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, for example, constitutes a magnificent space for relaxation and contemplation. But as it is a fragile ecosystem, swimming is forbidden. As you can see, you will have to go further south to the Camargue coastline to enjoy the water. There, the picture is different. There are some seventy kilometers of beaches, sometimes similar to small lost paradises that are waiting for you. Some of these beaches are very well developed, others are practically in a wild state. The choice will be made according to your desires.
Beware of those who would be tempted to swim in the Rhône or the Durance. The latter is extremely dangerous, and as for the Rhone, it is better to avoid putting your feet in it because of the currents and the turbidity of the water.
River trips
Just great! Indeed, from Avignon or Grau-du-Roi, you will be able to embark on one of the big cruise boats that cross the Rhone and discover the Camargue under a completely new angle. Fauna, flora, architecture will appear to you in all their splendor when you observe them from the river. You can make a stop at the Tarascon river stop, at the foot of the King René castle, restau... la belle vie. For the adventurous or simply for those who want to experience new sensations, it will also be possible to rent a boat with or without a license to explore canals and marshes at a completely different pace. This formula allows you to be the only master on board for a period that can go from a few hours to several days. Indeed, some boats are habitable, even very comfortable. A spirit of freedom and extraordinary images are guaranteed. Ideal for a romantic or family vacation.
In a glider
Visiting the Alpilles and the Camargue from the air is, without a doubt, one of the best ways to get to know this contrasting country and discover it in its entirety. Tortured landscapes and perched villages in the north, large plains crossed by wild horses and occupied by the manades in the south... no means of transport allows to embrace such a diversity of panoramas in one go. Several aerodromes offer services ranging from the stroll to the initiation to piloting. The aeroclub of Saint-Rémy, for example, offers initiation flights in gliders, to feel like a bird of prey whose wings glide silently under the wind. The aerodrome of Salon-Eyguières hosts three clubs that offer glider, microlight and paragliding initiation flights. The prices are quite affordable and the sensations are guaranteed.
By autogyro
It is one of the most original activities we have discovered. The gyrocopter is a microlight whose appearance is very similar to that of a helicopter. Advantages: all those of the helicopter, disadvantages: it is a two-seater and you have to leave alone with the pilot (unless you know how to fly yourself). So, forget it for family trips. Photographers, on the other hand, will benefit from a means of transport particularly adapted to photography. This little known aircraft is perfect for discovering the jagged landscapes of the Alpilles and the perched villages, thanks to its extreme maneuverability. A gyrocopter service is offered, departing from the Avignon airfield. You will leave for a flight of about forty minutes which will lead you to the Baux-de-Provence and the Alpilles mountain range.
