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"Boucle du 13" n°7 - Autour de Silvacane

Départ mairie de Charleval, 13350 Charleval

Directions

A 31 km (or 42 km with the extension) cycle route around Silvacane Abbey, passing through the villages of Charleval, La Roque d’Anthéron and Lambesc (La Barben and Vernèges for the extension).

"On the northern edge of the department, this route through plains and hills offers a spectacular blend of Provençal landscapes and architecture. On one side lies the Val de Durance, a plain renowned for its fruit and vegetable cultivation, with its large farms, open villages and Cistercian abbey. On the other, the pine-covered hills of the Côtes range, with their truffle plantations and opulent, secluded bastides. To be rewarded with such a panorama, a bit of exercise will be required. The route, a 31 km loop starting from the village of Charleval (D561, 5 km west of La Roque d’Anthéron), requires some valiant pedalling in its upper section. But it’s well worth the effort! From the town hall square in Charleval, take the D22 towards the château. Go round it on the left. Very soon, the road enters the agricultural plain, with the Luberon range as a backdrop. At the first junction, turn right onto the D23. For 5 km, it winds its way through the orchards along the Durance before gradually drawing closer to the EDF canal. At the junction with the D67d, turn right; do not go through the first tunnel under the canal that you come to, but take the second one, towards La Roque d’Anthéron. After a few dozen metres, turn left onto the D23. You will then go round the village and the grounds of La Roque d’Anthéron Castle before catching sight of Silvacane Abbey on your right, 1 km further on. At the junction with the D561a, turn left, then immediately right onto the D561, then right again onto the D66e, towards Rognes. After 1 km, the road winds gently around the Saint-Christophe basin. It then joins the D543. Turn right. Then turn right again onto the D66d, towards Lambesc. The road then leaves the plain and climbs through a landscape of copses and pine forests. About 4 km further on, turn right onto the D66, towards Lambesc. The narrow, rural road offers glimpses of beautiful, secluded properties and a few fenced-off plots home to truffle oaks. After passing the Caire-Val care home and then leaving the hamlet of Janet on your right, the outskirts of Lambesc come into view. Ten metres after passing the sign marking the entrance to Lambesc, turn right. The Chemin de Saint-Marc winds its way for less than a kilometre along the boundary walls of the houses (take care, narrow road) before reaching the D67a. Ten metres after passing the Lambesc town sign, turn right. The Chemin de Saint-Marc winds its way for less than a kilometre alongside the boundary walls of the houses (take care, narrow road) before reaching the D67a, which you must cross to reach, almost directly opposite, the D67 towards Charleval. The landscape is initially dominated by vineyards, before gradually giving way to the limestone terrain of the Côtes range. The road then climbs more steeply for about 1.5 km. Those who are less fit may wish to dismount. From the summit, there’s a superb view stretching from the Alpilles to the Luberon and the Durance plain. There, a 500-metre stretch of gentle incline leads into the descent towards Charleval. Make sure you check that your brakes are working properly, as the gradient is steep and the bends are tight! At the bottom of the descent – which is often shaded – you’ll join the D22, turning right towards Charleval. A few hundred metres further on, you’ll cross the Marseille Canal and then the EDF Canal, before a long avenue of plane trees leads you back to the centre of Charleval.

Automatically translated

Listing provided by Provence Tourisme (updated by the source on 29/05/2026).

Tourist office data: DATAtourisme, Licence Ouverte (French open licence), updated 28 October 2026.