Hiking in the footsteps of Cézanne at Sainte-Victoire.
Who doesn't know Sainte Victoire? Beloved by hikers and climbers, its wild nature is sublime, the absolute calm, and the landscapes breathtaking. Its beauty has greatly inspired Cézanne for his paintings, making it a must-visit place for those who come to explore Provence. With its 18 km long and 5 km wide, Sainte Victoire stands out in the Aixois landscape and offers the most beautiful hikes in the region. Indeed, its 250 km of marked trails offer a magnificent view of Aix-en-Provence and the surrounding Provençal villages. It is one of the favorite activities of tourists in Marseille.
THE HOLY VICTORY
Many lodges and shelters allow hikers to spend the night on the Sainte Victoire and to admire the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets! You clearly cannot spend a vacation in Provence without coming to discover the Sainte Victoire.
Hiking - La Croix de Provence
La Croix de Provence rises to over 900 meters. With its 19 meters high, it can be seen from afar. Marseille Tourism invites you to put on your hiking shoes and discover this cross during a hike on the Sainte Victoire. It is a very beautiful hike to be undertaken by experienced hikers because some passages are sometimes perilous. Don't forget that such a route requires a minimum of preparation: in addition to good shoes, you will absolutely need water (no source on the way), as well as a hat or cap to protect yourself from the sun. For the more daring, other hikes are accessible but require rental of hiking equipment.
Some marked trails also allow you to explore the Sainte Victoire by bike. So consider renting a mountain bike for your next visit! Also, remember to call the Tourist Office to ensure the accessibility of the hike, as the massif is subject to regulations from June 1st to September 30th. This hiking trail will allow you to admire the climbers at the Bau de Vespres level. You will also access the Prieuré de la Sainte Victoire dating from the 12th century and offering a spectacular plunging panorama. One can even spend the night there, as the cloister has just been completely renovated.
The waypoints of the route and the GPS coordinates:
Start: km 0 – alt. 374m – Departure from the Cabassoles parking lot 1: km 4.39 – alt. 869m – Prieuré de la Sainte-Victoire 2: km 4.54 – alt. 863m – Croix de Provence Arrival: km 13.88 – alt. 374m On the way back, you can relax by having lunch in the most beautiful villages of Provence.
How to get to the starting point of the hike?
By car From Marseille (49.7km – 54min): take the A7 towards Aix-en-Provence, then take the right fork and continue on the A51 towards Aix-en-Provence. Continue on the A51 and take the exit A8/E80. Take exit 31 towards Fréjus. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Avenue Henri Mauriat. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Avenue Henri Malacrida. Continue on Cours Gambetta. Turn right onto Avenue des Déportés de la Résistance Aixoise. Cross the roundabout. At the roundabout, continue straight onto Rue du Ricm. Rue du Ricm turns slightly right and becomes Place du Lieutenant Colonel Louis Arné. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Rue Saint-Thomas de Villeneuve. Turn right onto Avenue Jean et Marcel Fontenaille/D10Continue to follow D10. Turn right onto Boulevard du Moraliste/D10H. Continue to follow D10H. Turn right onto Chemin Sainte-Victoire dit Venturier.