Activities near Maillane

  • Marché du Paysan, GRAVESON:

    • weekly farmer's market held in the Place du Marché, every Friday 4 - 8pm (May to Oct); special entertainment last Friday of the month.

  • 'Santons', av des Meuilles, outside MAILLANE:

    • where traditional Provencal 'crib' figurines (such as you see in the BAMBOU's dining room) are made: the santon tradition began when local churches were forced to close during the French Revolution.

    Turn right out of BAMBOU and take first right-hand turning north out of Maillane. Signposted on left before you reach the D28.

  • Jardin de Quatre Saisons, GRAVESON

    • weekly farmer's market held in the Place du Marché, every Friday 4 - 8pm (May to Oct); special entertainment last Friday of the month.

Ciergerie (candle factory), avenue Francois Atger, GRAVESON: allegedly the only place in France where candles are still made using traditional 15th century methods; classic white church candles and some unusual colours and shapes too; there is also a salon de thé. Turn right out of BAMBOU and take first right-hand turning north out of Maillane, (Allée Jouse d'Arbaud). Stay on this road for a couple of km (bearing left at fork just outside the village). Go straight over the D28 into Graveson. The Ciergerie is on the left after about 200m.

Musée du Région Auguste Chabaud, cours National, GRAVESON: featuring the work of fauvist artist, Auguste Chabaud (1882 - 1955) who lived in Graveson for much of his life.

Go past the Ciergerie (see above), straight over at the crossroads into Graveson, take first left and follow road to far end of village.

Musée des Aromes & du Parfum, petite route du Grés, outside MAILLANE An interesting museum, now with Aromacocoon day spa. Signposted off the roundabout where the D28 meets the N570.

Abbaye St-Michel de Frigolet, D81 NW of MAILLANE: picturesque monastery and a nice spot for a picnic.

Signposted off the D970 towards Tarascon.

Chateaurenard Market (M.I.N.), CHATEAURENARD: 6.30 - 7.30am (Mon to Fri): huge early morning market covering 8 hectares, and the largest of its kind in Europe according to tonnage (300,000 tons of fruit and veg per year).
Make time to visit the medieval castle too: great views from the top of the Griffon tower; nocturnal visits and special children's visits can be arranged.

La Petite Crau: surrounding area north of the Alpilles, which - apart from Maillane - loosely encompasses Graveson, Châteaurenard, Eyragues (as well as Verquiéres, Noves, St Andiol and Cabanes).

Enjoy an apéro in the Café Lou Souleu. This café is also nice for a casual lunch / supper if you don't feel like venturing far.

La Montagnette: scenic mountainous area to the west, between Barbentane and Boulbon.