The Alpilles
Between Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, the small mountains of the Alpilles are a cultural and natural treasure nestled in the heart of Provence. A land with picturesque villages, fields of olive trees, dry-stone farmhouses renowned for its gentle way of life, charm, and character.
KEY FEATURES
1. What to expect?
Picturesque villages, pine, and holm oak forests, garrigue, vineyards and olive groves
2. Lifestyle
A gentle way of life, cultural and outdoor activities
3. A home in Provence
Simple volumes, natural materials, importance of the outdoor spaces
4. What you’ll love
Village atmosphere, café terraces, gastronomy, heritage and old stones, unspoilt nature
5. The real estate market
Renovated mas and Provençal bastides
Characteristics : village, quality living, nature, calm
LOCATION
From the village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence:
- Paris: 720 km (7h30)
- Geneva: 400 km (4h30)
- Lyon: 250 km (2h50)
- Marseille: 90 km (1h20)
- Avignon: 25 km (35 min)
- Arles: 25 km (30 min)
Transport links:
- Avignon TGV station: 25 minutes
- Marseille airport: 1h00
1. What to expect?
The Natural Park of the Alpilles is located in the heart of Provence, between the Luberon region and Camargue. It comprises 14 villages among France’s most beautiful cities including Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Fontvieille, Eygalières, Les Baux-de-Provence, Maussane-les-Alpilles, etc.
The Alpilles are small mountains (culminating at 496 m) offering a mosaic of natural environments: limestone cliffs, scrubland, pine and holm oak forests and olive groves.
The sun shines remarkably all year round offering around 2800 hours per year.
Famous writers, painters, intellectuals, and musicians have drawn inspiration from the Alpilles and has contributed to its cultural influence.
Land of character and tradition, with emblematic landscapes, this region offers an exceptional quality of life nearby major Provencal towns such as Arles, Avignon, and Marseille.
2. Lifestyle
Living in the Alpilles also means discovering the people who bring the region to life: renowned vineyards, market gardeners, cheese and olive oil producers, beekeepers and craftspeople.
Each week, the villages come alive with its Provençal market, a must-see for local produce and crafts. It is no surprise that the Alpilles has one of the best gastronomy of France with Michelin-starred chefs sublimating the local cuisine.
Its natural environment provides an ideal setting for sports and outdoor activities (tennis, golf, climbing, horse-riding, hang-gliding). Its many trails and small roads through bucolic countryside are an ideal playground for cycling, hiking and family outings.
The Alpilles also abounds in monuments and archaeological gems that will delight lovers of culture and history.
3. A home in Provence
The Provençal house embodies an art of living. With its simple volumes and shapes, its natural materials (stone, plaster, and terracotta) in neutral colors to blend in with the panorama, traditional housing is regaining its splendor and reinventing itself to offer comfort and authenticity to its new residents.
The indoor-outdoor connection is also important. The garden and all the exterior places are pleasantly designed to enjoy the outside. A true haven of peace.
The traditional house can be a mas, an old Provençal farmhouse, or a village house comprising one room per floor. As for the bastide, this was a holiday home for wealthy owners. Its architecture was inspired by the first “maison de maître” dating from the 17th century with its 4-sloped roofs and full-height windows.
4. What you’ll love
To troll through the narrow-cobbled streets with their pretty old houses, enjoy the village atmosphere and shady squares with their lively café terraces and gourmet restaurants.
Walk around postcard-perfect landscapes with Roman vestiges and Romanesque icons such as the chapel of Saint-Sixte d’Eygalières.
5. The real estate market
The property market is dynamic, especially in the villages of the Baux-de-Provence, Maussane-les-Alpilles and Eygalières. The quality of life appeals to both French and foreign buyers looking for a second home. Stone farmhouses with swimming pools and Provençal bastide houses are particularly popular.
For your property project, STONE&WOOD can help you find or sell your main or second home in the Alpilles in partnership with VON PEERC, a local player specialized in exceptional properties.
MORE INFORMATION
Discover our country houses in the Alpilles
For your real estate project in Provence: contact us
