Île de la Barthelasse Riverside Loop

The Île de la Barthelasse loop is a flat riverside walk on one of the largest river islands in Europe, lying in the Rhône opposite the ramparts of Avignon, in the Vaucluse department of Provence, France. The route starts from the city walls at Porte de l'Oulle, where walkers cross the Pont Daladier on foot onto the island and join the Chemin des Berges. No car or public transport is needed, and no permit or entry fee applies. The loop is about 7 km and takes 1.5 to 2 hours at an unhurried pace, with no meaningful elevation change, so it is classed as easy and suits families, runners and first-time walkers. The surface is a mix of paved lanes, gravel tracks and dirt paths along the river bank, with some sections shared with cyclists and occasional local traffic. Shade is intermittent beneath poplars and plane trees, while open stretches across orchards and market gardens are exposed to sun and wind. The island is mainly agricultural, with peach and pear orchards, vegetable plots, campsites and a few restaurants. The principal landmark is the view back across the Rhône to the Palais des Papes and the Pont Saint-Bénézet, the broken medieval bridge, which looks especially fine in the late afternoon. Walkers can shorten the route by turning back at any point, since the island is small and the return route is obvious. Water is available at cafés and restaurants on the island, though visitors should carry a bottle in summer. There are no refuge huts, but several riverside spots offer shade and benches. After heavy rain or a Rhône flood, low-lying lanes can be closed, so conditions should be checked locally. The Mistral can make the open stretches along the river breezy and cool.