The northern tip of the Ile de la Barthelasse

A very easy walk. The first part up to the dam, very pleasant and shady. There's not shade on second part until you arrive, so wear hats in sunny weather.
Numerous birds and in particular grey herons, cormorants, swans etc. are visible near the water and on the banks of the Rhone.

Technical sheet

4098661
A Avignon walk posted on 02/02/16 by djhoward. Last update : 02/01/19
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.14 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 104 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 106 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 36 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 12 m
  • ⚐
    District: Avignon (84000|84140)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.98599° / E 4.822516°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3041OT

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Description

Access: Park in the "Parc de Libertés" car park on the Ile de la Barthelasse. Leaving from Avignon, turn right after the Daladier bridge, you are now on the D228 (Route de l'Ison). After the Avignon lock located to your left, take the first road to the right to find the car park.

(S/E) Leave on the small trail the closest to the water (going directly east). Without making too much noise, you can see the various birds that inhabit these banks. The small path will join a large track. Stay on this track until the crossroads before the eastern arm of the Rhone.

(1) Opposite the eastern arm of the Rhone, take the path to your left along the fence, and go between the two stretches of water.

(2)When you get to a gate, turn right. Continue on this path until a metal gate signposted "Rhône/Ventoux". Turn right, a blue concrete post means you're on the right track. After the second blue post, turn right and then immediately left.
Stay on the largest path and you'll see where the Rhone splits. Go around to the left on the large path (west) and you'll come to the dam. Ignore the track that goes off to the left and join the access road to the Sauveterre dam.
(The site is currently undergoing work, so be very careful)

(3) Take the asphalt road to the left for a few meters and then turn right to go around the "Unnamed" power station. Pass the small canal, join the highest path that runs along the second arm of the Rhone.

(4) This is the northern tip of the Ile de la Barthelasse There's a viewing point over Mont Ventoux, Châteauneuf-du-Pape etc.
Turn left while remaining on this path, and go as far as the Villeneuve bridge.

(5) Go under the bridge, take an immediate left and join the track after having crossed a small canal. Stay on this track, with the road to your left and the small canal to your right.
Continue straight at the barrier.

(6) This path takes you back to the road that you cross to reach the car park(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 25 m
  2. 1 : km 2.38 - alt. 23 m - Intersection opposite the eastern arm of the Rhone - Rhône (le)
  3. 2 : km 2.91 - alt. 23 m - Pumping station
  4. 3 : km 6.32 - alt. 24 m - Sauveterre dam
  5. 4 : km 6.94 - alt. 24 m - Northern tip of the island
  6. 5 : km 8.98 - alt. 21 m - Pont de Villeneuve
  7. 6 : km 9.95 - alt. 19 m - Climbing path
  8. S/E : km 10.14 - alt. 26 m

Useful Information

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

Numerous birds and in particular grey herons, cormorants, swans etc. are visible near the water and on the banks of the Rhone. At the northern tip of the island, the viewing point over the villages: Sauveterre, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Mont Ventoux etc.

Reviews and comments

3.3 / 5
Based on 1 review

Clarity of route description
3 / 5
Clarity of route map
5 / 5
Walk interest
2 / 5
Bikechap
Bikechap

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : 21/09/19
Clarity of route description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Good bits - Close to Avignon, easy to park at the start, easy to follow the instructions, very easy walking giving gentle exercise

Bad bits:- Not enough interest - the tracks are very wide but the scenery gets a bit repetitious after a while. We saw several fishermen but very few birds.

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