La Pierre trail

7 points of interest

• 

  Patrimony and history

  Saint-Gervais chapel

  The Saint-Gervais chapel was built in the 15th century for the tomb of the Mouriès family, one of whose members, Elzéar, founded the hospital in 1428. Observe the built stone structure carved in urgonian limestone. Notice the deterioration effects of the stone. The high porosity weakens limestone said to be chalky and makes it particularly sensitive to the effects of time.

• 

  Geology

  Old quarries

  This former quarry reflects the cultivations of the 19th to the early 20th century. The limestone was, at the time, extracted into many small private quarries scattered around the town. Depending on its use, workers carved rubble stone or used explosives or mallets to fragment it. The gravel was then transported to the converted grain mills, where the wheels turned the stone to powder, used in various manufacturing processes.

• 

  Panorama

  Montplaisant viewpoint

  This viewpoint overlooks the Montplaisant quarry operated since 1957. You can discover the urgonian limestone of which Orgon is the eponymous site. The economic value of this deposit is based on the purity and whiteness of the rock composed 99.98% of calcium carbonate. The areas at the end of the operation are restored with surrounding soil which naturally contains the seeds of local plant species. No reseeding is therefore necessary.

• 

  Geology

  The limestone phases

  On your left, the limestone containing flint are topped with white calcarenite (rock formed from limestone sand) upon which rests rich calcareous corals protruding the wall. These formations typical of transition areas between the deep basin and the internal Urgonian platform are discussed in detail in the geological guide written by Jean-Pierre Masse and Mukerrem Fenerci-Mass, available at the Urgonia museum.

• 

  Patrimony and history

  Castle of the Duke of Guise.

  This fortress, built in the Middle Ages, controlled the strategic passage between the Durance, which you can admire below, and the Alpilles. A right of passage was collected by a toll at the bottom of the cliff. It was also a prison and was destroyed by order of Richelieu in 1630.

• 

  Patrimony and history

  Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church

  Built in 1325, this parish church has undergone many changes over time. The bell tower was built in 1660. It contains 6 bells. A U-shaped stairway built in 1669 and renovated in the 19th century provides access to the forecourts.

• 

  Patrimony and history

  Medieval Gate Sainte-Anne

  West entrance of the second enclosure of Orgon, it is difficult to estimate exactly its age. But we know that it has seen many important personalities since the sixteenth century. Notably, François 1st, who returned from Italy in 1516, stopped a few hours before continuing to Tarascon; Pope Pius VII, who will stay in Orgon and was lodged at the Berne Hotel No. 13 rue Edmond Coste; or Napoleon I, who passed through Orgon to go to Elba island.