Barthelasse Island, orchards on the Rhône facing Avignon

A protected space between two banks

The Rhône draws a clear separation, yet the island stands between two distinct shores: on one side, the Petit Rhône borders Avignon, Vaucluse, and the former Papal territory; on the other, the Grand Rhône skirts Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, Gard, and the former Kingdom of France.

A Haven of Diversity in the Rhône

A biodiverse space in the middle of the Rhône, the island’s banks are lined with poplars, willows, elms, and aquatic plants, while discreet wildlife - beavers, herons, cormorants, ducks, hawks, sometimes foxes and wild boar - finds refuge here. Nearly half of its surface is devoted to agriculture, with orchards brimming with apples, pears, and cherries, alongside vegetable crops. Exposure to flooding limits construction and preserves its rural, untamed character. In 2004, a memorable flood of the Rhône submerged much of its lands, a reminder that even modern dikes and engineering still have to deal with the force of the river.

Discovering Barthelasse Island

At the gates of Avignon, Barthelasse Island forms a balanced landscape of farmland, orchards and protected natural areas. From its banks, one enjoys direct views of the Pont Saint-Bénézet, the Palais des Papes, and the Rocher des Doms — an ideal backdrop for relaxation. Just a short walk from Avignon’s center via the bridge or the river shuttle, visitors can stroll along the Rhône, picnic in the shade of a poplar, or venture out by kayak on the river’s waters.

From Avignon, a bicycle, including an electric one, makes Barthelasse easy to explore: its paths and small roads invite discovery, along the Via Rhôna cycle path that runs north to south, from the impressive 200-meter Oiselet footbridge elegantly suspended above the river, to the walls of the Cité des Papes. Along the way, market gardens open their stalls to visitors. The island ultimately offers a peaceful refuge for staying close to nature, yet only a short breeze — or a gust of Mistral — away from Avignon’s historic center.

The history of an island shaped by floods and people

Barthelasse Island gradually emerged from a chain of fragile islets, bound together by the Rhône’s alluvium. In 1447, Jean Richard, known as "Barthelucius," acquired these lands to sow wheat, giving the island its name. Once, the Pont Saint-Bénézet spanned its territory before 17th-century floods washed away its arches. In the 18th and 19th centuries, dikes fixed its outlines; in 1850, residents requested its incorporation into Avignon. In 1973, dams and locks connected the Île de la Motte to its northern banks. Yet, despite these interventions, its vulnerability to the river still protects it from overly dense urban development.

Just steps from Avignon, Barthelasse Island remains a rare refuge, where the city, the river and agricultural land meet in the same landscape.