The Sainte Victoire
Who doesn't know the Sainte Victoire? A beloved mountain for hikers and climbers, the wilderness is sublime, the absolute calm and the breathtaking landscapes. Its beauty has largely inspired Cézanne for his paintings and makes it an essential place for those who come to visit Provence. With its 18 km long and 5 km wide, the Sainte Victoire stands out in the Aix 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 Provencal villages. It is one of Marseille's favourite activities for tourists.
Many cottages and refuges allow hikers to spend the night on the Sainte Victoire and admire the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets! You will clearly not be able to spend a holiday in Provence without coming to discover La Sainte Victoire.
Hiking - La Croix de Provence
The cross of Provence rises to more than 900 meters. With its 19 meters high, you can see it from afar. Marseille Tourisme 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 done by experienced hikers because some passages are sometimes dangerous. Remember that such a route requires a minimum of preparation: in addition to good shoes, you will absolutely need water (no springs on the way), as well as a hat or cap to protect yourself from the sun. For the more adventurous, other hikes are available but require the rental of hiking equipment.
Some unmarked trails also offer the possibility of cycling along the Sainte Victoire. So think about renting mountain bikes for your next visit! Don't forget to call the Tourist Office to make sure that the hiking is accessible, as the massif is subject to regulations from June 1st to September 30th. This hike will allow you to observe the climbers at the Bau de Vespres. You will also reach the Priory of the Sainte Victoire built in the 12th century and offering a spectacular panoramic view. You can spend the night there, the cloister has just been completely renovated.
The route's crossing points and GPS coordinates:
Departure: km 0 - alt. 374m - Departure from the Cabassoles 1 car park: km 4.39 - alt. 869m - Prieuré de la Sainte-Victoire 2: km 4.54 - alt. 863m - Croix de Provence Arrivée: km 13.88 - alt. 374m On the way back, you can relax and have lunch in the most beautiful villages of Provence.
How to get to the start of the hike?
By car From Marseille (49.7km - 54min): take the A7 towards Aix-en-Provence, then take the junction on the right 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 on Avenue des Déportés de la Résistance Aixoise. Cross the roundabout. At the roundabout, continue straight on Rue du Ricm. Rue du Ricm turns slightly to the right and becomes Place du Lieutenant Colonel Louis Arné. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Rue Saint-Thomas de Villeneuve. Turn right on Avenue Jean et Marcel Fontenaille/D10Continue to follow D10. Turn right on Boulevard du Moraliste/D10H. Continue to follow D10H. Turn right on Chemin Sainte-Victoire dit Venturier.
Hike Info
- Distance: 17.0 kilometers
- Difficulty:
- Duration: 2 hours to 4 hours
