Neighboring the capital of Bouches-du-Rhône, Allauch is a charming town which has managed to preserve its authenticity. Here, you will be placed in the heart of the purest Provençal traditions.
Allauch is located on the borders of Marseille, bordering three districts – the 11th, 12th and 13th – located on the southern slope of a rocky desert. Located in the heart of the Garlabanz massif and its exceptional panorama. A setting that Marcel Pagnol fell in love with.
Moreover, among the sites to admire not far from the village, the Grosibou caves, the Bastide Neuve, Tête Rouge and those of the Pestiférés bear names which will speak to readers of the childhood memories of the famous writer. The hills, which are dear to him, are also territories occupied by humans for a very long time.
It is here that fossils attest to its presence since prehistoric times. Today, the inhabitants – a little more than 20,000 people – are spread across different neighborhoods. But life is organized around the Place des Cinq Moulins, on the castle hill.
The five mills of Allauch
A name which is no coincidence, since the windmills, of which there are five, can be admired on the esplanade. You should know that throughout history, they have been moved several times, first inside the fortress, then to two other places, before they found their current place.
The heritage of Allauch also includes religious monuments, for example the Notre-Dame chapel, the construction of which dates back to the 12th century. Located on the heights of the municipality, the square of the building offers a breathtaking view of its imposing neighbor in Marseille. Other areas, such as the Place du Docteur Joseph Chevillon and its 16th century Saint-Sébastien church, have retained their intact charm.
Other points of interest, such as the Nature Theater built in 2000 in a quarry or the Fontvieille bastide, a mansion built in 1845, arouse admiration.
In the first, various cultural events allow you to receive the public in an inimitable setting. The second is registered as a historic monument. A sumptuous palace which also organizes events, including concerts and plays.
Santons of Allauch
And how can we talk about Allauch without mentioning the multiple traditional festivals that take place there throughout the year? Next up is the donkey, the animal that will be celebrated in mid-November.
But it is above all the Christmas period that makes the city’s reputation, with its nativity scene installed in the electrical factory, or the wonderful figurines that we owe to Gilbert Orsini. Nearly 700 figurines are there to remind us of life in the past in this corner of the South-East. They are on display there until February.
On December 24, a pastoral procession will brighten up the evening, an extraordinary spectacle involving around a hundred volunteers and nearly 150 sheep.
Before leaving, you can also opt for a pleasant walk which will take you into the Garlabanz massif, to discover the numerous sites which dot this emblematic and symbolic natural setting of Provence.
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