Saint Etienne du Grès is a small, picturesque village nestling at the foot of the Alpilles, a few minutes from Saint Rémy de Provence, and Tarascon and very close to Arles. The municipality was created relatively recently, having formed part of Tarascon until 1935. This probably explains why, unlike most villages in Provence, it doesn’t possess a typical village square with the town hall, the church, the fountain, the bakery and the bistro. St Etienne is not an old village, but more a dormitory village - most of its inhabitants work in Arles, Tarascon or St Rémy.

They return to St Etienne for peace and quiet and magnificent countryside only a short distance from the town. In the eastern part of the village (on the way to St Rémy) there are beautiful, old country-style houses and farms which have been carefully restored. There are also attractive houses and private mansions surrounded by elegant landscaped gardens, looking as though they come straight out of a glossy magazine. The western part of the village is made up of more modern, simple houses with pretty, well-kept little gardens.

There are superb opportunities for rambling in the countryside around the village. The hills, covered with sweet-scented pine trees, beckon with the promise of a pleasant few hours in the midst of beautiful greenery. On top of the hill to the east of the village you will find the chapel of Notre Dame du Château. It dates from the 11th century and is the oldest in the region. Visiting the chapel provides an excellent opportunity for a beautiful walk and once you get there you’ll be overwhelmed by its tranquillity and the serene, restful atmosphere of the spot. During the walk you will enjoy beautiful views of Tarascon, Arles and Châteaurenard.

Don’t miss the fruit and vegetable market which takes place every afternoon apart from Sunday. Market gardeners, farmers and shoppers, as well as tourists and walkers, gather for this colourful spectacle, rich in tastes and fragrances, where the accents are fruity too.