The island of Barthelasse, the countryside at the gateway to the historic centre of Avignon

 

At the foot of the ramparts of Avignon, the papal city, the Rhône splits into two large arms that surround the Island of Barthelasse. It is the largest river island of the Rhône river, a vast area of greenery and calm that extends over an area of 700 hectares, between Avignon and Villeneuve-les-Avignon, the departments of Vaucluse and Gard, the regions of Provence (PACA) and Occitanie.

In 1447, a man named Jean Richard, known as "Barthelucius", bought this land to grow wheat. The land proved so fertile that it made Barthelucius' fortune as he gave his name to the island. The piers of the Pont Saint Bénézet were built on these lands, they were gradually washed away in the 17th century by the floods of the Rhône. The island gradually stabilized in the 18th century and especially in the 19th century after the construction of protective dikes. The island of Barthelasse was attached to Avignon in 1850 at the request of its inhabitants. It is now an distinct administrative district within the municipality. In 1973, the construction of two lock plants in Avignon and Sauveterre on the right branch of the river gave the island its final shape by adding the island of La Motte to the north, whose separation is now marked by a dead branch of the Rhône. The southern part of the island to the left of the Édouard Daladier Bridge is called Piot Island.

Despite major developments carried out by the CNR (Compagnie Nationale du Rhône) along the banks of the river, Barthelasse Island can still be flooded, as it was in 2003 during a 100-year flood, at the same level as the one in 1856. The risk remains and requires homes to be adapted. The ever-present risk of flooding preserves the island from urbanization and gives it its exceptional character. The island is thus preserved from urbanization, it has just under a thousand permanent inhabitants today.

The island of Barthelasse is criss-crossed by paths and small roads ideal for cycling on marked paths or for jogging along the banks of the Rhône. It is a preserved natural area that is home to many wild animal species. With patience and discretion, you can observe herons, beavers or badgers.

The economy of the island of Barthelasse is devoted to agriculture, once vineyards, now mainly fruit and vegetables. Avignon residents go directly to the island's farms to buy seasonal fruit and vegetables: cherries, peaches, apricots, tomatoes, apples, pears, etc. A farmers' market with local producers is held from May to October, on Monday evenings from 5pm to 7pm in front of the ramparts near the Porte de l'Oulle.

From the "towpath" along the island's shoreline facing the ramparts, the view of Avignon is breathtaking, encompassing the Pont Saint-Bénézet, the Palais des Papes and the Rocher des Doms. It is easily accessible through the Oulle Gate and the Edouard Daladier Bridge which links Avignon and Villeneuve-les-Avignon. At the end of the towpath, a river shuttle allows you to cross the Rhône river free of charge (with your bike) to the foot of the Rocher des Doms, it operates during the summer season.

Barthelasse Island is a privileged place to stay for visitors who stop in Avignon, it offers different types of accommodation in campsites, cottages, hotels or guest rooms. The "La Palmeraie" swimming pool, open in summer, has a 50-metre pool and relaxation areas. In June 2019 former US President Barack Obama and his family spent a week on a property on Barthelasse Island for their holiday.

Accommodation on the island of the Barthelasse and in Avignon

Selection of guest rooms in Avignon on the portal of the B&B in Provence

Things to see and do on Barthelasse Island:

• La Palmeraie swimming pool: also called "Piscine des arènes", it has an Olympic-sized open-air swimming pool (50m) and relaxation pools, paddling pool and water games for the youngest, 3m and 5m diving boards, lawns, a snack bar. It is open from June to September.
• Free river shuttle between the towpath and the foot of the Rocher des Doms
• Bike rides on marked paths across the island.
• The ViaRhôna, a cycle route linking Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea in Port Saint-Louis du Rhône, passes through the island of Barthelasse.
• Fishing in the arms of the Rhône
• 1000 paddles: canoe and kayak festival in May
• Paddle, canoe and kayak rides on the Rhône (in July and August): canoe-vaucluse.fr
• Farms and agricultural production: La Reboule and Campagne Calvet
• Horseback riding: riding school and pony club: cheval-avignon.ffe.com
• Manguin Distillery: manguin.com fine spirits, Williams pear brandy, pastis, liqueurs and aperitifs.
• Château de Bouchonny (also called Château de la Barthelasse), 18th century, listed in the inventory of historical monuments (private)
• Places of the Off Festival on Barthelasse Island: Le Kabarouf, Contre Courant, l'Îlot Chapiteaux

Getting to Barthelasse Island

GPS coordinates: 43° 58' N, 4° 50' E'

L'Île de la Barthelasse has 1000 inhabitants, it is located at 18 m above sea level ,in Avignon, 0,2 km from Villeneuve-les-Avignon, 7 km from les Angles.

Visit the Barthelasse island in photos : slideshow

Explore further with my articles in the Getaways section of the Guest Houses in Provence Portal: Barthelasse Island, orchards on the Rhône facing Avignon.