Cézanne’s windmill and the Zola dam

A lovely walk which includes a chance to see Cézanne’s Windmill, to discover the ancient ruins of the Roman aqueduct and its waterfall and the Zola dam. In the distance you can see Mont Sainte-Victoire.

Technical sheet

153064
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.94 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 303 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 297 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 302 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 179 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access : Arriving from Aix-En-Provence on the D17 (Route Cézanne), at the first car park on the right after the castle.

(S/E) From the car park, tackle the road to the right on the D17 (Route Cézanne) and, at the fork, stay on the left of the road until Cézanne’s windmill. Turn left, walk past the windmill. When alongside the cemetery, pass by the road headed right and left and continue ahead to on the Chemin de Doudon. Turn left at the gate, cross the fence and continue for approximately 210 m.

(1) Head left along the poorly marked trail (Yellow dots on a stone) which climbs up through the rocks, then back down to meet up with a path to the left. Head down this path (Red markings) as far as the ancient ruins of the Roman aqueduct and its little waterfall. Cross the water and climb the winding footpath ahead, passing behind Tholonet castle and arriving at an intersection. Take the stairs down to the small road below (at the information board).

(2) Turn right (Green markings). At the next intersection, turn right crossing the fence and head due north along a steep hill as far as the next intersection.

(3) Continue in the same direction (still marked with Green) on the trail that turns left soon afterwards, and heads down towards the log cabin (with picnic tables) and the Zola dam. Cross the dam, head uphill along the safety fence and follow the trail which heads south. Once this path turns left towards the east, look out for a trail ahead between rocky bars (with Green dots).

(4) The path heads downhill and joins a trail. Follow this to the left as far as the next intersection.

(5) Turn right (Yellow markings). Pass in front of the Doudon Aqueduct. Follow the path downhill to the right, heading west. It opens out further on to meet up with point (1).

(1) Return to the start along the first path of the walk.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 179 m - Car park after the château. Close to the - Cause (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.59 - alt. 222 m - Left-hand path
  3. 2 : km 1.64 - alt. 187 m - Barrage romain
  4. 3 : km 2.14 - alt. 200 m - Crossroads after the Château du Tholonet
  5. 4 : km 2.93 - alt. 287 m - Crossroads before the roadblock
  6. 5 : km 3.88 - alt. 216 m - Barrage Zola
  7. 6 : km 4.64 - alt. 296 m - Crossroads after the roadblock
  8. 7 : km 5.31 - alt. 284 m - Turn right, yellow signs
  9. S/E : km 6.94 - alt. 179 m - Car park after the castle

Practical information

The car park is located after Tholonet castle, to the right when arriving from Aix en Provence.

There are picnic tables just before you arrive at the dam.

In the nearby area

  • Cézanne’s windmill.
  • Tholonet castle.
  • The ruins of the ancient aqueduct and its waterfall.
  • Zola dam
  • Panoramic view over Mont Sainte-Victoire

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 132 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 25906406
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Lovely walk....the start was a bit tricky but there's always the app to help you find your way. Very nice walk for all ages.

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carole
carole
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Beautiful views, a moderately difficult hike considering the height difference, we'll be back for sure!
We followed some hikers on the forbidden section and bypassed the exit barrier. This trail is best done in between seasons to avoid the heat, as the shade is relative.
Very nice walk, thank you

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José Rove
José Rove
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

I avoided the forbidden part. But I think it would be nice to do the route again without the forbidden part, because it's not easy to avoid it.
Otherwise a very nice walk.
Thank you

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Marie Jeanne HOARAU
Marie Jeanne HOARAU

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pretty hike, with no difficulties. We continued on to Lac Bimont where there were no difficulties. Easy trail. The return was very quick. The views of Sainte Victoire and the surrounding area are absolutely superb! The weather was parish specific to Brittany on 24 September.

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Julie34
Julie34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice hike!!!

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Aquariel
Aquariel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Like the others, we had some difficulty finding point 1, but otherwise it was a very pleasant walk. At the Roman dam, we added a short foray along the canal, which was very pretty. We had a pleasant picnic at the forest house. Not many people, but it was a weekday.

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POLHRI
POLHRI

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This is an easy family hike with a few points of interest (the aqueduct waterfall, the forest house, the dam and its lake) to enhance the views of the Sainte Victoire in the distance and the superb natural surroundings. The route is sometimes shaded and not very busy on this Saturday in March 2023. Be careful at the start of the hike after point 1 to take the path that climbs steeply.

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elise.pasquier@sfr
elise.pasquier@sfr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The start of the hike after point 1 is not obvious Otherwise it's very good
There's no longer any risk of collapse and you can take the path described without any problem.
Nice hike

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mp2
mp2

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

beautiful views of the Sainte Victoire mountain range

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Mali26
Mali26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very nice walk with lots of interests, beautiful scenery, a variety of paths, easy going, lots of people but in the end we're not on top of each other. To be done again and again.
Autumn has one advantage: the magnificent colours of the trees.

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jpvls
jpvls

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A pleasant foray into the Aix region so dear to Cézanne.
For a relatively short tour, we're lucky enough to find a whole range of sights here
with Ste Victoire (the star of this walk) in the spotlight.

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bzzz_13
bzzz_13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pretty walk, mostly shady, with beautiful scenery
And easy to get to
Thanks to Laurence

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loumlt
loumlt

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A great walk for beginners. Not very steep, so you can get to grips with the trails without any complications. To do with children

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gise13
gise13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk
Superb views and very interesting history
Thanks for sharing

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nath 59
nath 59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice walk with a superb view of the sainte victoire. easy circuit accessible to the greatest number. a little crowded on the WE.

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