La Bouilladisse

A day in La Bouilladisse: ideas for activities

La Bouilladisse is a village in Provence where life is good. Here, you can take your time to savour the calm and gentle way of life that is so typical of the south, between hiking, a small market, rock-climbing and pétanque.

Early in the morning, head for the small market in La Bouilladisse, which takes place every Thursday morning. You can breathe in the scents of Provence and fill your basket with local produce in a relaxing atmosphere. There’s no big bustling market here, but you can take advantage of the small stalls to buy a few ingredients for your picnic! On the other days of the week, take advantage of the craftsmanship of local producers.

Then it’s time to put on your boots and set off hiking in the Regagnas mountain range, an unspoilt Provencal massif offering superb panoramic views between the Sainte-Baume and Sainte-Victoire mountains. The sun-drenched paths wind between pine trees and garrigue, inviting you to take a rejuvenating walk in the heart of nature.

In the afternoon, it’s time for more sporting activities: a climbing trip with Les fadas d’escalade, ideal for beginners or those who want to let off steam. They offer courses, workshops and outings in Aubagne, Marseille and La Ciotat. It’s all about having fun and pushing your limits!

At the end of the day, it’s impossible to leave La Bouilladisse without enjoying a game of pétanque under the shade of the plane trees, a true Provençal art of living. Connoisseurs will want to head to the large Robert Rebuffat boulodrome to find some teammates. So, do you shoot or do you point?

With its mix of nature, traditions and leisure activities, this typical day perfectly sums up the charm of La Bouilladisse: an authentic Provencal destination where you can enjoy slowing down and making the most of every moment.

The history of this charming Provencal village goes back to ancient times. Traces of human presence have been discovered in the Tonneau cave, dating back to the Middle Palaeolithic period, around 45,000 years ago. This bears witness to prehistoric occupation of the area.

Later, in Roman times, the area was crossed by a Roman road linking Saint-Jean-de-Garguier to Peynier, proof of its importance in trade at the time. The Roquettes district also bears witness to this.

The village was first mentioned in a document from Saint-Victor Abbey on 1 June 1279. At that time, it was known as “Passum de Leborina”, meaning “the hare”, which later evolved into “La Bourine”, the former name of La Bouilladisse. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the village became independent: on 6 July 1880, it was officially detached from Auriol and became a commune in its own right under the name of La Bourine. A few years later, on 26 May 1909, a decree gave the village its current name, La Bouilladisse, in reference to a bubbling spring located in one of its neighbourhoods, already mentioned in 1322 under the name of “Boyhedissa”.

The village’scurrent church, named Saint-Laurent, was built in 1911, replacing an older building dating back to 1782. Finally, the threshing floor created to separate the grain from the ears of corn can still be seen. Through all these different eras, La Bouilladisse reveals a rich and typically Provençal history, combining ancient heritage, local traditions and the evolution of a village that has become a popular destination for locals in Provence.