- 100 000 ans
The oldest (but admittedly rare) evidence of habitation in the area dates from this period. They consist of a single arrowhead and a few other artifacts.
- 12000 ans, environ
Rocky outcrops, caves, rock shelters were occupied very early by our prehistoric ancestors who found there a habitat putting them out of reach of wild animals, as well as of their enemies. The vestiges: arrowheads, daggers, various objects testify to the intense activity which reigned in the Alpilles.
- 3000 ans
At this time the caves were gradually abandoned and the population increased significantly, both in the plains and on the heights. It is also at this period that the breeding develops. It is also the beginning of the exploitation of the first quarries.
IIIe siècle Av. J.-C.
Foundation of Glanum. The Gallic city, whose vestiges still make the fame of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, knew its apogee in the 2nd century BC. Discovered in 1921, the city has important religious and civil monuments.
46 Av. J.-C.
The Romans arrived in the region. Seduced by the place, they soon built numerous villae. Large agricultural estates were created and their network prefigured that of the current estates. Arles officially became a Roman colony. Cereal production developed, as well as vine growing and horse breeding.
149
513
Vers 790
869
1144 - 1162
XVe siècle
XVIe siècle
1508 et 1511
1521
It is around the sea to bring the danger. Bands of Turkish pirates disembarked at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. The city had to call on its neighbor, Arles, to avoid being razed.
1591
XVIIe siècle
1632
1642
The fief of Baux fell to the Grimaldi family, as a reward for services rendered to the king. The Grimaldis are still in charge of the title of Marquis of Baux, currently held by Prince Albert of Monaco. The inhabitants returned to the lowlands and the town went into decline.
1720
1790
After a period of calm, the Revolution divided the population. Confrontations took place throughout the region, between royalists and republicans. The Alpilles and the Camargue had a large number of nobles who did not intend to give up their privileges. They make the region a real hub of the counter-revolution. The tone rises, between Monadiers (pro-revolutionaries) and Chiffonistes (royalists) and the country enters a cycle of terror. Moreover, nature was unleashed once again against the region. Torrential rains caused flooding on a rare scale. Many lives were lost.