The Chapel of Saint Probace circular loop

The chapel overlooks the entrance to the Caramy Gorges next to Tourves. Saint Probace came to evangelise Provence in the1st century AD and is said to have died in Tourves. Perched on a hill that is quite difficult to access, we chose to approach it from the Route de Mazaugues, which is easier, to the west of Tourves.

Details

68009057
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.45 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 302 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 300 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 515 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 274 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The walk starts from a cistern located on the D64, about 3 km from the D1, which connects Saint-Zacharie to Brignoles. There are a few parking spaces available on both sides of the road.

(S/E) Take the track that heads east, slightly below the esplanade.

(1) After one kilometre, turn left at a fork.

(2) Continue straight ahead at this crossroads. Continue for another kilometre until you reach another fork.

(3) Turn right. You will arrive at the edge of the ridge, with some beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. At the end of the plateau is the Chapel of Saint-Probace. Enjoy the view.

(4) Ignore the start of the descent towards Tourves on the left and continue south-east to find the PR® which descends towards the Cassède bridge.

(5) Caution: this is a tricky descent, so take care. At the bottom, join a track.

(6) Follow it to the left, heading north-east to return to Tourves. Pass in front of the (Roman) Cassède Bridge and continue for 1,200 metres.

(7) Turn left onto Chemin du Baou and continue straight ahead.

(8) Descend to the right towards Chemin de Saint-Probace and, after 50 m, take a path on the left that leads into the forest.

(9) After about 400 metres, turn right, then right again 100 metres further on. Join Chemin de Candoux.

(10) Follow it up to the left until you reach Chemin des Materonnes.

(11) Turn left onto this path. Soon the track will merge with a stream bed; you are now on Chemin du Bonheur !

(12) Leave a path on your left and continue straight ahead for about 100 metres.

(13) Turn right and continue for about 150 metres.

(14) Turn right heading due west. This is the start of a rather difficult climb. Keep following the green dots on the ground. You will come to a right-hand bend (elevation 446).

(15) Continue right towards the west and reach the esplanade of the cistern (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 439 m - Cistern
  2. 1 : km 0.95 - alt. 412 m - Fork to the left
  3. 2 : km 1.17 - alt. 427 m - Turn right
  4. 3 : km 2.21 - alt. 473 m - Fork to the right
  5. 4 : km 3.35 - alt. 507 m - Fork in the road, to the right - Saint Probace
  6. 5 : km 3.47 - alt. 496 m - Delicate descent
  7. 6 : km 4.07 - alt. 279 m - Track, left towards the Cassède Bridge - Caramy (rivière)
  8. 7 : km 5.26 - alt. 280 m - Chemin du Baou
  9. 8 : km 6.16 - alt. 348 m - Chemin de Saint-Probace
  10. 9 : km 6.63 - alt. 340 m - Twice to the right
  11. 10 : km 6.87 - alt. 321 m - Chemin de Candoux
  12. 11 : km 7.06 - alt. 326 m - Chemin des Materonnes
  13. 12 : km 8.56 - alt. 403 m - Straight ahead
  14. 13 : km 8.7 - alt. 410 m - Turn right
  15. 14 : km 8.84 - alt. 438 m - Ascent to the right
  16. 15 : km 9.75 - alt. 446 m - Turn right
  17. S/E : km 10.45 - alt. 439 m - Cistern

Worth a visit

If you are lucky enough to meet the Belgian Benedictine monk who "guards" the chapel, he will be happy to show you around. It is usually closed because it was vandalised a few years ago (paintings torn, etc.). The main attraction, among other things, is the hundreds of ex-votos on the walls.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful scenery and woodland. The view from the chapel is magnificent, with 360° views and patches of yellow irises and lavender-coloured flowering rosemary. No trouble finding your way; the climb after the 14th isn’t that steep (it’s actually between the 13th and 14th that it really climbs). However, the descent after the 5th is more than tricky – it’s steep, long, and the stones roll under your feet...
All in all, a very beautiful hike.

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Gourdoux
Gourdoux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The markings are not always obvious, but the hike is true to the description.
The hike is steeped in history if you are interested in bauxite miners (the red faces).

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.