Jouques

Last update on Mar 18, 2026

26 km from Aix en Provence and 34 km from Manosque via the RN96.

Discover the charming village of Jouques in the Bouches-du-Rhône

Jouques is one of those Provençal villages that you only discover as you round the final bend. The town is located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, in the heart of the Pays d'Aix, between the Durance Valley and the northern slope of Sainte-Victoire.

Village de Jouques dans les Bouches du Rhône.

Located 26 km from Aix and less than an hour from Marseille, this Provençal village remains surprisingly off the beaten path. This is precisely what makes it so appealing for discovering Provence in a unique way, far from the overcrowded tourist sites. The villages of Peyrolles-en-Provence, Mirabeau, and Vauvenargues are just a short drive away to round out your stay.

Exploring the village

Jouques is best explored on foot, heading up to the Notre-Dame-de-la-Roque Chapel, which overlooks the village’s cliff. From up there, the view opens up to the Durance Valley, Sainte-Victoire, and the hills of neighboring Var. The village reveals its history through its fountains, chapels, Roman aqueduct, and dry-stone houses.

Jouques is a small, typically Provençal village with a peaceful and serene atmosphere. The terraced fields, stone huts, oratories, and chapels of its rich rural heritage offer plenty of opportunities to take a stroll and discover the stunning natural surroundings of the village.

Many artists and artisans in the village

Many artists, painters, sculptors, ceramicists, potters, and photographers have been inspired by the beauty of Jouques’ landscapes, colors, and light. Their works are regularly exhibited throughout the year. Some have their studios in the village—go meet them; they will welcome you with great kindness.

What to see

10th and 14th century Saint-Pierre church.
12th century church ND de la Roque.
ND de la Consolation chapel (medieval). Oratories and fountains.
13th and 17th century archbishop's palace. Chateau d'Arbaud.

Things to do

Sunday morning market.
Hiking
Mountain biking circuit. Walking tracks. Boulodrome. Tennis.
Cultural and artistic events.
Music festival and horse-show 21 June.
Pilgrimage of the Notre Dame de Consolation, beginning of September.
Village festival, the first Sunday in October.

Bed and breakfast

Le Catalan

Jouques (Pays d'Aix) | Aix en Provence : 25 km - Manosque : 30 km

Bed and breakfast - 5 spacious guest rooms including 2 communicating in a 17th century stone farmhouse with terrace and swimming pool, on a 40ha estate in an authentic nature, woods, organic lavender and aromatic plants.

90€ - 90€

Visit website

Accommodation

Bed and breakfast.
Hotels.
Vacation rentals.

Your questions about the village of Jouques

We’ve received several questions from you about this charming Provençal village. Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions.

What activities are there to do in Jouques?

Tourism in Jouques is genuinely authentic, far from overcrowded sites. Hiking around Jouques is the top activity: the GR9 trail leads to the Concors peak (779 m), the Vautubière (660 m) and the Notre-Dame de Consolation chapel overlooking the Durance river. Mountain bikers have access to a 16 km circuit in the Taulisson Departmental Park. Dry-stone bories, terraced restanques and roadside oratories turn every walk into a discovery of rural Provençal heritage. The Sunday morning market brings the village to life all year round. Guided tours organized by the Secrets d'ici association let you explore Jouques in about ninety minutes, with no particular difficulty.

Where is Jouques on the map?

On the map of France, Jouques is a village located in the northeastern part of the Bouches-du-Rhône department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region (zip code 13490). Its location is exceptional: Aix-en-Provence is 26 km away, Marseille 57 km, and Peyrolles-en-Provence just 6 km. The Jouques territory in the Durance valley covers over 80 km², with an altitude ranging from 209 to 782 meters. The village belongs to the Pays d'Aix and sits at the junction of four departments: Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Vaucluse and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. To reach Jouques by car, take the A51 motorway at exit 17 and follow signs from Peyrolles-en-Provence.

What accommodations do you recommend in Jouques?

Accommodation in Jouques reflects the spirit of the village: rooted in nature, far from standardized options. The best Provençal guesthouse in Jouques is Le Catalan, ranked #1 on Tripadvisor with a perfect 5/5 score from over 90 reviews. This 17th-century stone farmhouse, run by Philippe and Magalie, sits on a 40-hectare estate planted with olive trees and organic aromatic plants at 1550 chemin de Blanchon. Five spacious rooms in Provençal colors, a swimming pool, shaded terraces and a pétanque court complete the setting. Homemade jam breakfasts are unanimously praised by guests. To book, contact Le Catalan at 04 42 67 69 43. The municipal tourism office at 33 bis boulevard de la République can point you toward other available accommodations.

What is the history of Jouques?

The history of Jouques goes back to Roman times. In the 1st century AD, an aqueduct carried water from the Traconnade spring all the way to Aix-en-Provence, a distance of 30 km. The remains — tunnel, bridge, aqueduct wall — are still visible today and can be explored on guided tours. In the Middle Ages, the medieval village of Jouques in Provence took shape on the hillside, protected by its ramparts and the Château d'If, now in ruins. Between the 13th and 16th centuries, the population gradually moved down to the Piémont plateau. The Archbishops of Aix-en-Provence chose Jouques as their summer residence. The Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens church, the Clock Tower and the old seigneurial mansions all bear witness to this long cultural and rural tradition.

What are the must-see sights in Jouques?

The Notre-Dame-de-la-Roque chapel towers over the village from the clifftop. This 12th-century monument offers sweeping views over the Durance and the Sainte-Victoire mountain. The oratory on the path leading up to it is listed as a Historic Monument. The Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens church combines a neo-Gothic porch with gilded altarpieces. The monumental staircase — a remnant of an unfinished château — now hosts the open-air Galerie des Baumes. The Roman aqueduct of Jouques can be visited with a guide across the commune's territory. The Saint-Bâche chapel, the Sainte-Confosse chapel and Notre-Dame de Consolation on the banks of the Durance round out the chapels circuit. The rural and local history museum, housed in the Saint-Jean chapel at 74 rue Grande, preserves antique objects and ex-votos.

What are the key features of Jouques?

Jouques has around 4,400 inhabitants, known as Jouquards, spread across a territory of over 80 km². The village belongs to the Pays d'Aix, within the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolitan area. Its charming location between the Durance and Sainte-Victoire makes it a natural crossroads between several faces of Provence. The surrounding landscape blends wooded hills, fragrant garrigue and wetlands along the Rian stream. Local culture remains deeply rural and Provençal: dry-stone terraces, bories, oratories and chapels tell a long pastoral story. Village life revolves around regular events — the Sunday market, the Notre-Dame de Consolation pilgrimage in early September, and the village festival on the first Sunday of October.