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Mas
Blanc des Alpilles is a tiny village nestling at the foot of a beautiful
hillside between La Montagnette and the Alpilles in the north-west of
Bouches du Rhône. With an area of just 1.57 km2, it is the smallest
village in the department and, according to the archives, there has
been a settlement here since Year II (1792).
In
purely tourist terms, Mas Blanc does not have a great deal to offer.
However, it has the great advantage of being ideally situated just a
few kilometres away from several popular tourist destinations, including
Baux de Provence, Avignon,
St Rémy de Provence, Arles,
Les Saintes Maries and the Camargue.
The village is bisected by the D99
which separates the old houses of the village from a number of housing
estates which sprawl out lower down. The previously agricultural land
which surrounds Mas Blanc des Alpilles is now used for market gardens
(salad plants and early vegetables) and you will also find fruit trees
- peaches and nectarines.
Don’t
miss the festival of Saint Lambert which takes place in the first weekend
of September. For three days the village is alive with courses camarguaises
(bull courses), boules contests, “giant aïoli”, a ball, an orchestra
and plenty of folklore.
There is a pleasant walk along the chemin de Rousty. Turn right 200
m after the town hall and you will come to the ancient Roman road which
once linked Saint Etienne du Grès and Saint Rémy. You can drive along
the road but going on foot is a much better way to enjoy the scents
of the hillside and to appreciate the tranquil beauty of the countryside.
If you like cycling, another lovely excursion, along a bicycle path,
takes you right to St Rémy and its pleasant terrace cafés.
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