Aubagne walks

The Languilard plateau above Carnoux offers a wide panorama of the town of Aubagne and the Garlaban. At the end of the route, there is a discovery trail with information panels about the plants of our region.

This is a lovely walk starting at Le Charrel, passing stables and Camp de Lambert, an organic farm, before finishing on the Carnoux plateau. The walk follows some very pretty, easy-to-walk, flat paths with splendid views. It is a popular spot. The return journey takes you along some lovely single tracks on the mountainside.

This hike is located near Aubignane, a site at the foot of Garlaban, where Marcel Pagnol built several brick buildings for filming his movies. It is, in a way, our Provençal Hollywood. Only a few ruined houses remain, those used in the films Angèle and Regain, but all these places are steeped in history. In accordance with the illustrious writer's wishes, a few wheat fields are still cultivated there for the exclusive use of local waterfowl.

This is a short, pleasant and easy walk, with very wide paths throughout the route. This route takes you away from the most popular paths to explore Fond de Mai. The area is very green and there are lovely family-friendly areas at the very start of the walk.

From the La Font de Mai estate, hike in the Pagnol hills with magnificent views of Marseille and the surrounding mountains.

A beautiful loop with spectacular views at the top and a return via the Vallon des Piches, which offers views over the whole of Marseille.

This is more of a stroll than a hike. It takes place on very easy-going terrain with very little elevation gain. Relatively busy, it circles the plateau with beautiful, unobstructed views of the region.

A pleasant, easy hike with 160° views of the region, including the mountains and the town of La Penne-sur-Huveaune. Very pretty paths and a few minor challenges add spice to this hike, which offers magnificent views without having to turn your head.

This is a pleasant little walk starting from the Vieux Chemin de Cassis, near the Château des Cresseau. It passes through the village of Carnoux to reach the Croix de Carnoux, a vantage point offering lovely views.

Yet another climb towards Garlaban, but this one stands out, firstly because it starts from Camoin, but also because the return route via Pas des Quatre Fers is relatively little used. Jean Camoin was the name of a15th-century landowner who owned a lot of land around Garlaban (hence the name of the locality in Aubagne and the district in Marseille).

This is an exciting hike that combines the appeal of hiking with cultural interest. Throughout the circuit, you will discover the locations where Marcel Pagnol's works were filmed. In addition, at the top of Garlaban, the view is breathtaking, with a 360° panorama of Marseille, the Mediterranean Sea and the beginning of the Côte d'Azur, as well as the surrounding landscape, including La Sainte-Victoire and the Sainte-Baume mountain range.

Discover the Grotte du Plantier, also known as the Grotte de Manon after the film "Manon des sources" directed by Marcel Pagnol. You can also visit the nearby Grotte du Cerf a little further up. Near the car park, you can take a short detour to see the restored Puits de Raimu. Some passages after the cave require the use of your hands.

A pleasant hike on steep trails to the Manon and Cerf caves, then around the Vallon de Marcelin, passing by the ruins of the village of Aubignane on the ridges of the Barres Rocheuses du Saint-Esprit. Magnificent views of Marseille, the Chaîne de l'Étoile and the Massif du Garlaban.

Circuit following in Marcel Pagnol's footsteps, passing by the Baume du Plantier (Manon’s Cave) then reaching the legendary Garlaban. The return journey passes by the peak of Taoumé and Grosibou Cave and ending with the Vallon de Passe-Temps.

Circular route between two parallel valleys combining the wild and rugged aspect of the Vallon de Passe-Temps with the more picturesque side of the Vallon des Piches, passing by the Grotte du Plantier (or Grotte de Manon) and the Grotte du Cerf.

This walk takes you to the rock carvings at Le Draioulet, the Rosace des Piches (much less well-known), and the carvings at Le Pas du Loup, passing via the Col du Garlaban, Le Jardinier and La Tête Ronde before returning via the Col d’Aubignane. Numerous extensions can be added to this route (see the section: ‘Nearby’).

A short detour into the hills made famous by Marcel Pagnol. After the Ferme d'Angèle site, the climb to the Barres Rocheuses du Saint-Esprit leads to two magnificent viewpoints from which you can admire the many peaks often mentioned in the writer's works. The tracks and paths are imbued with the scent of the ever-present pine trees: a breath of fresh air on the outskirts of Aubagne.

A challenging 16 km circular route to discover the summit of Garlaban via the Scolopendres trail, the Barquieu spring near the Grand Ravin and the corniches of the Grand Vallon, the Puit de l'Aroumi via the Puits du Murier and Baume Sourne, which can be visited in full sunlight or with a powerful torch. Finally, the Pic du Taoumé and the famous Grosibou cave. Return via the Pas du Loup towards the Col d'Aubignane.

From the vallons de Préscator and des Piches to the Garladan summit, this hike allows you to immerse yourself in the natural world that Marcel Pagnol grew up in. This itinerary, with its many well-known sites, is above all a variation on the Garladan and is in no way intended to replace the guided tours offered by the tourist office.

Have you heard of the rock carvings in the Garlaban massif? This route takes you there, where you can admire them in peace. The path is not easy, but it offers beautiful views of the mountains surrounding Marseille and the Bellons. On the way down, you will discover the Baume du Plantier (Manon's cave), the Vallon des Piches, the Ferme d'Angèle and the Puits de Raimu.

Discover the landscapes of Marcel Pagnol's films. No particular difficulty, apart from a slightly steep climb to reach the Barres du Saint-Esprit. Beautiful views of the surrounding peaks, Tête Touge, Escaouprès, Taoumé and Garlaban.

Short hike to reach the foot of the Baume de Passe-Temps. Pass through the Col d'Aubignane before descending into the Passe-Temps valley. Nice view of the surrounding peaks: Tête Rouge and Taoumé.

Discover Garlaban, the legendary peak of the Aubagne region, via an original route that takes you past the base of the Grotte de Manon, then up the Vallon des Piches along a final path to find the faint traces of a very ancient rosette. The magnificent 360° view from the summit of Garlaban is breathtaking. The return journey is a gentle walk along the track and allows for a short detour to explore the Route des Pierres Gravées, where you’ll find around a hundred engravings by Louis Douard.Note: there are only about thirty spaces at the Puits de Raimu car park, which fill up quickly, particularly at weekends.

Set off to discover these famous places in the Aubagne region: Puits de Raimu, Mas de Massacan, Col d'Aubignane, Pierres gravées de Louis Douard, Col et Sommet du Garlaban, Puits du Mûrier, Baume Sourne, Pic du Taoumé, Grotte de Grosibou, Pas du Loup and Pierre Gravée du Berger, Jas de Batisto, Tête Ronde, Barres du Saint Esprit and the ruins of the village of Aubignane from the film Regain.

This is a fairly comprehensive hike that passes through the Col d’Aubignane and the Pas du Loup (which rises to 543 m). The walk then passes the Grosibou Cave, the Pic du Taoumé and the Baume Sourne or Bat Cave. It is a protected, fenced-off area, but you can see it and take photos; it is very pretty. The hike also passes the Puits du Mûrier, the Col du Garlaban, the Croix du Garlaban, Louis Douard’s rock carvings (over 100 rock carvings) and, finally, the Grotte du Plantier, also known as the Grotte du Cerf or the Grotte de Manon.

Overall, this is a very pleasant hike. Especially after passing Cistern 52, where you’ll find a series of outstanding single tracks. The hike takes you along the ridges to discover magnificent scenery.

An easy, short hike where you can grill your meal.

Two distinct atmospheres on this hike: a walk through the steep-sided, shaded Saint-Clair valley, then, after a break at the Petit Tuny refuge, a return along beautiful tracks and a detour to the Saint-Clair Chapel. Varied and magnificent landscapes.

A demanding route, but not very well travelled. It can be done as a return trip to the Croix de Bassan for a medium level of difficulty. It can also be extended by going to the electricity pylon. Beautiful view of Roquevaire and Sainte-Baume.

This trail is another way of getting to the Petit Tuny hut. On this trail, you stay off the DFCI tracks as much as possible, by taking non-waymarked paths instead. At the highest point of the route, you will have a wonderful view over Garlaban, the Huveaune Valley and Bertagne Peak.

This is a beautiful loop with a very steady climb through a picturesque valley, under tunnels of vegetation and magnificent suspended rocks. There are splendid views of the Huveaune valley, Géménos, Aubagne and Marseille. Next, pass by the very welcoming Tuny refuge and descend via the Vallon de Saint Clair, which also offers beautiful landscapes of steep rocks.

A lovely, short but fairly challenging hike, featuring technical sections over rocky terrain and some lovely single tracks. At the highest point, La Tête Ronde, there are views of the Marseille region, Sainte-Beaume, La Millière and Aubagne.

This is a lovely walk, just a few kilometres from Aubagne, which is straightforward but features a significant climb over a short distance to reach Tête Ronde. From the top, there are stunning panoramic views of Marseille and Notre-Dame-de-La-Garde. The route passes through very pretty, well-wooded single-track paths in the undergrowth, which offer a bit of cool relief.

A beautiful, easy walk along a gravel forest path surrounded by holm oaks and pines. Some sections are in the sun. The route is ideal for a peaceful stroll... or a jog. For enthusiasts, there are numerous geocaching caches along the route. You are in the Calanques National Park, which is subject to specific regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in a fine of up to €1,500.

After passing through a few neighbourhoods in Gémenos, you’ll reach the hill overlooking the village and then arrive at the top of the Saint-Pons valley. You’ll descend the valley along the Fauge and can take a detour to admire the abbey and see the spring. You will then walk back down through the whole of Saint-Pons Park until you reach the road. The return route crosses the clay car park and follows the road for a short while before turning off towards Super-Gémenos, which offers a beautiful view of Aubagne and La Penne-sur-Huveaune on one side, and Gémenos and the Garlaban on the other.

The free Pays d'Aubagne et de l'Étoile bus network offers some unique routes. For example, line 10 (Aubagne Station – La Treille) will drop you off at La Treille, just a stone’s throw from Marcel Pagnol’s grave. You can then head into the hills where he filmed his movies. You will then pass through the magnificent Font de Mai estate. Afterwards, you can return to Aubagne on bus route 14 (Éoures – Aubagne Station). Please note that these buses do not run on Sundays.

A hike to the famous Taoumé, dear to Marcel Pagnol, via the Vallon de Passe-Temps from La Treille. Return via the Vallon des Escaouprés.

A beautiful hike with cable and chain passages and magnificent 360° views from the top of the Garlaban. Please note that a municipal by-law has prohibited descent via the Dansaires trail since 2010 due to rockfalls.

Ascent to Taoumé via the Pas du Loup and return via the Jas de la Badoque and the Vallon de Passe-Temps. You’ll pass by the Bastide Neuve, the Jas de Baptisto, the rock carvings at the Pas du Loup and the Grotte du Grosibou.

A pleasant little walk to explore Mont Gibaou with lovely views of Roquefort-la-Bédoule and the surrounding area, followed by a stroll through the Bois de la Marcouline and a return via pleasant tracks.

The ruins of Jas de Batisto are nothing extraordinary. However, they provide a destination for a short hike on a sunny afternoon. The view of the Passe Temps valley, Garlaban and Escaouprés is magnificent. The area is wild and, with a little luck, you may see partridges and hares.

This is a hike over somewhat challenging terrain that ends off-track to reach the summit of Tête Ronde. You can enjoy beautiful scenery and visit the Bauxite Cave on the way back. It is a short, well-trodden route

This hike will allow you to discover a large part of the Garlaban massif. In my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful. The views from the peaks are superb. From the summit of Grande Tête Rouge, you can see all of Marseille from Callelongue to L'Estaque, and from Garlaban, the Gulf of La Ciotat and Cassis.

Hike around the Tête Ronde, with superb views of Marseille.

An easy walk to the beautiful cliffs of Petite-Sainte-Baume around the Grand Rouvière wine estate.