Mazet de Manon - SRDP118EE

St-Rémy-de-Provence is perhaps the most beautiful small town in Provence. Post World War II, it was an agricultural area, specialising in flower seeds and sheep, but now is known as a sophisticated country town with some of the best local commerce Provence has to offer, and with a wonderful, central location.

There are many sites in St Rémy: the very important Roman ruins at Glanum; the rue Hoche, a tiny street where French-Jewish doctor and astronomer Nostradamus was born in 1503. Don’t forget the colourful Wednesday market which is well known all over Provence. Vincent van Gogh spent most of the last year of his life here, at the St.Paul de Maussole Clinic, and painted over 150 paintings.

Dominated by the picturesque, tree-lined central square where the Mairie is located, the surrounding streets of Saint-Remy-de-Provence are awash with boutiques and art galleries as well as plenty of bars and restaurants to satisfy your appetite. Circled by the remnants of the 14th-century wall and the protective bustle of buildings, the most obvious remains are the old ‘portes’ still in use today as the entrance ways into the centre of this ancient market town. Wednesday is a major market day in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The market spreads across parking areas and squares around the northern and western parts of the Boulevards ringing the old town of Saint Rémy de Provence. If you like markets, crowds, and an active experience, Wednesday is a great day to visit. Cafés and restaurants tend to be crowded around lunch time, but the atmosphere is good. There's a smaller market on Saturdays, with food only. The countryside around the town is ideal for pleasant walks, with its many paths and trails bordered by olive and cypress trees. The road between St. Rémy and the autoroute (at Cavaillon, 17 km to the east) is a scenic drive out of the past: the road is lined by plane trees that are lovely and give beautiful shade during the summer. The GR6 (Grande Randonnée) goes through St. Rémy. To the west, the GR6 climbs up the centre of the Alpilles to Baux-de-Provence, then follows the ridge to the end, and continues on northwest to Tarascon and Pont du Gard. St. Rémy to Baux-de-Provence via the GR6 is 7-8 km, starting at 60 m altitude, climbing to 313 m at the Tour de Guet, dropping to 160 m, then up to 218 m at Baux. It's probably about 3 hours each way, making it a good day hike out and back. The hills are thickly forested, wild and beautiful. To the east, the GR6 also climbs up to the top of the Alpilles, then goes east past Eygalières and Eyguières, crossing the autoroute north of Salon-de-Provence.