Bouches-du-Rhône en Paysages - Rognes, flâneries entre pierres et jardins

Office Municipal de Tourisme, 5 Cours Saint Etienne, 13840 Rognes

A one-hour family walk through Rognes town centre. Discover the heritage and history of this Provençal village.

17 km north of Aix, Rognes will surprise you with the variety of attractions it has to offer. If we had to mention just one aspect of this charming village, we would choose to praise the enchanting atmosphere of the ‘Fes Val’ evenings, set against the warm hues of its old quarries. Depending on our mood, we might prefer to describe the riches of its countryside, which offers walkers magical landscapes, food lovers the Grand Marché de la Truffe, the variety of its wine cellars and the vibrant colours of its vineyards. And why not focus on its captivating history, as reflected in its stately homes and its prestigious sacred heritage? Or indeed, if we were to mention just one of this charming village’s assets, we would say that it displays its charms and its gentle way of life through its settings imbued with Mediterranean scents and its flower-filled gems hidden here and there at the crossroads of Provençal roads, between the sea and the Luberon, between Aix-en-Provence and Durance, between vitality and harmony. 1- Opposite the Tourist Office, a mini-market stands on the site of a washhouse dating from 1864. Above the building, one can see the coat of arms of Rognes: the azure bolt (or silver bolt). This coat of arms was granted to Rognes in 1626 by the town’s magistrates following a legal dispute between the inhabitants and their châtelaine, Julie d’Agoult. A passion flower adorns the central pillar of the washhouse, which is embellished day by day with seasonal flowers. You are now facing the mini-market; turn left, walk past the steps and take the first right. These buildings date from the period following the earthquake and were constructed to rehouse the inhabitants on former ‘ferrages’ – agricultural land that previously belonged to the lords of Rognes. The Rognes stone planters line the boulevard, their diverse plant life accompanying the walker all the way along. 2- At the end of Boulevard des Ferrages, turn right towards the 14th-century washhouse, which was restored in the 19th century. Once again, the coat of arms can be seen there. Although situated next to the D543, the flowerbeds in front of the washhouse and the small flower garden give a sense of calm and serenity. 3- Cross the D543 and head back up towards Aix-en-Provence. You will arrive at the building which has housed the Town Hall since 1976, the former Hôtel-Dieu (hospital), built in 1699 using materials from the old fortress and on the site granted by the Lord of Agoult. There is a small fountain made of Rognes stone, currently used as a planter, and, on the western corner, a niche housing the Virgin Mary surrounded by several children: Our Lady of Mercy. On the sundial, the inscription reads ‘Carpe Diem’ – seize the day. The south-facing gardens opposite the Town Hall encourage the flourishing of Mediterranean plants, hardy palm trees and plane trees, accompanied by various flowerbeds that bloom throughout the year. A few metres further up, from the car park, there is a beautiful view of a former stagecoach post on the road to Aix. 4- Continuing towards Aix, you walk alongside the flower-filled embankment below the Aires neighbourhood. After a few minutes’ walk, you’ll reach the Saint-Denis Chapel, built in the early 18th century. This location at the entrance to the village is symbolic, as it is said that the plague did not enter Rognes in 1720. The landscaping of the approach, around the chapel and in the adjoining car park is particularly well-maintained and varied. We retrace our steps towards the village centre; on our left is the Verrier school complex and, a little further on, the gazebo of a stately home. 5- On reaching the village centre, we come to the fountain, built in 1568. Prior to that, the only source of water was the ‘new well’ on the road to Aix (1337). The fountain in its present form dates from 1735. The house of Marie Taÿ, a historian, belonged to a very old family from Rognes. This house is a

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Listing provided by Provence Tourisme (updated by the source on 02/05/2022).

Tourist office data: DATAtourisme, Licence Ouverte (French open licence), updated 24 October 2026.