Taxi Marseille → Allauch

Allauch, a town of 21,000 perched at 228 metres altitude on the foothills of the Garlaban massif, is one of the most beautiful villages near Marseille. This authentic Provençal town, though only 15 km from the Vieux-Port, has preserved its rural character and remarkable heritage. The old village, with its calade cobblestone lanes, plane tree-shaded squares and fountains, is crowned by the Esplanade des Moulins where five restored windmills offer a spectacular panorama over Marseille, the harbour, the Frioul islands and on clear days, Mont Ventoux. The Saint-Sébastien church (11th century), remodelled in the 17th, watches over the village from its promontory. Allauch is inseparable from Marcel Pagnol: the Garlaban massif overlooking the town is the setting for the famous writer-filmmaker's childhood memories — La Gloire de mon père and Le Château de ma mère were filmed here. The hillside trails, marked by the Departmental Council, lead to the Garlaban cave, the Baume Sourne and the bartavelles dear to Pagnol. Allauch is also renowned for its santon fair (late November to early January), one of the oldest and most important in Provence, and for its traditional navettes, biscuits flavoured with orange blossom.