In the hills of Allauch

Departure from Cours du 11 Novembre: plenty of parking spaces and the terminus of line 107 (La Rose - Allauch metro station).

(S/E) Head towards the Panorama restaurant and take the ramp opposite (Montée JB. Tiran) to reach the street above. Turn right, then continue left on the hairpin bend on Chemin du Garlaban. Begin your climb towards the hills of Allauch, pass the old cemetery and, about 200 m after the municipal boules court, look for a path on your right.

(1) Follow it along the road below before rejoining it further on.

(2) Continue along the tarmac road until you reach a three-way junction, keep left on Chemin du Galarban and continue to a gate: if it is closed, go around the side. Welcome to the hills of Allauch. Continue your climb by following a wide firebreak track on the left to Col de Cante-Perdrix.

(3) Take the concrete track on your left to the antenna, passing to the left of it. You have arrived at the summit of Petite Tête Rouge: a spot for cooking enthusiasts to gather thyme and the first magnificent viewpoint over Marseille.

(4) Turn back towards Col de Cante-Perdrix.

(3) Continue for about 50 metres, then make a short left-right turn to take a wide track almost opposite. Begin a long climb to a pass.

(5) Look for a yellow marker on your right indicating the presence of a gas pipe. Take a clearly marked path on your right: yellow markings.

(6) For fun, leave the yellow-marked trail (which you will find again further up) and take the path on your left to Grande Tête Rouge. At an altitude of 512 metres, this is the highest point of the route. Enjoy the 360° panorama: Marseille, Aubagne, Galarban, Pic du Taoumé, Sainte-Victoire, the Étoile mountain range and, on a clear day, the Étang de Berre.

(7) Carefully begin your descent on the other side (yellow markings): take your time, as the slope is 30%! This will bring you to a wide track, which you should follow to the right.

(8) Keep to the right at the fork. The track narrows, then becomes a path that descends and winds through the shade of a pine forest. Continue to the next fork near some houses.

(9) Take the path on your left, following the yellow markings. Go around a hill, then turn right onto a fairly steep and stony path that will take you to the top of the hill. Continue along this pleasant ridge path sheltered by pine trees. After about 300 metres, begin your descent to the foot of the rock where the Notre-Dame du Château Chapel is perched.

(10) Leave the yellow markings and continue straight on towards the chapel. There are a few rocky outcrops to negotiate, but you can easily get around them by following a narrow path that winds between them. After a short climb, you will reach the chapel.

(11) Descend via the paved and landscaped path, turn left at the first intersection to return to the village for a short visit to its typical Provençal streets. Cross the Montée Notre-Dame du Château, go down the stairs and then follow Rue Notre-Dame to the right for about thirty metres. Take the stairs on the left, go straight ahead to reach the fountain on Place de la République.

Walk up Rue Bel Air for a few metres, take the second street on your left (Rue des Michels), then turn right to reach Rue Notre-Dame. Turn left and follow the first street on the left, Rue Jean Bordet. Turn left again to reach the village square. You will recognise the location: it is where the outdoor scenes for the TV series "Plus belle la vie" were filmed. Go around the church on the left, pass in front of the town hall and join Cours du 11 Novembre. All you have to do now is turn right to return to the car park (S/E).

There are a few fairly steep climbs and descents, so don't hesitate to use your hands when necessary to make it easier, but there are no technical sections.

At the end of the route, I have suggested a route in Allauch, but if you have time, I invite you to explore the other narrow streets, climbs and crossings that criss-cross the village (nature theatre, the two mills, etc.).