La Sainte-Victoire: Croix de Provence via the Pas des Moines and the Escalette

A hike that takes you up to the Sainte-Victoire priory and the Croix de Provence from the Plan d'En Chois car park.

Details

226899
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.78 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 644 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 644 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 945 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 301 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The Plan d'En Chois car park is just before the large Bouquet car park, at the foot of the Saint-Antonin hairpin bends. Please note that the sign incorrectly states "Plan de l'Anchois", an error originating from the IGN map, which refers to "Pont de l'Anchois"!

Red signposting

(S/E) Take the path at the end of the car park. The trail will quickly veer off to the left; follow this trail. At a fork in the path, leave the right-hand path and continue to the Cézanne refuge.

(1) The trail crosses aGR® trail and then climbs north up the side of Sainte-Victoire to cross another trail. The trail splits into two: red dots on the left, red lines on the right.

(2) Turn right, pass several slabs and join the ridge at the Pas du Moine.

Blue markings

(3) Take the Imoucha trail on the right, which joins the GR®.

Red and whiteGR® markings

(4) Follow the trail to the Priory, then cross the Priory to climb up to the Croix de Provence.
The round trip to the cross is marked with red dots.

(5) Return to the priory via the same route.

(4) Descend via the Imoucha trail and rejoin the Pas du Moine.

Blue markings

(3) Ignore the path you took on the way up on your left and take the path opposite leading to the Pas de l'Escalette (a cairn marks the start of the descent path).

Red marker

(6) Take the path on the left. The descent is marked with large red dots and the path rejoins the one taken on the way up.

Red markings

(2) Continue straight ahead to return to the Cézanne refuge.

(1) Then take the same route you took on the way up to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 301 m - Parking at Pas de l'Anchois, near the - Bayon (torrent) Affluent de l'Arc
  2. 1 : km 0.86 - alt. 435 m - Refuge Cézanne
  3. 2 : km 1.45 - alt. 546 m - Trail junction
  4. 3 : km 2.07 - alt. 772 m - Pas du Moine (767m)
  5. 4 : km 2.54 - alt. 886 m - Prieuré
  6. 5 : km 2.73 - alt. 945 m - Croix de Provence
  7. 6 : km 3.8 - alt. 680 m - Pas de l'Escalette (686m)
  8. S/E : km 5.78 - alt. 302 m - Pas de l'Anchois car park

Notes

The difficult part of this route is between (2) and (3) with some beautiful slabs to cross. You can make the route easier and more family-friendly by going via the Pas de l'Escalette on the way there and back (do (1) - (2) - (6) - (3)).

Please note: The Prieuré de Sainte-Victoire has reopened, but access is restricted; please consult this page for more information.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 82 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Horusanubis
Horusanubis
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An alternative route to the summit of La Belle.
A magnificent hike, admittedly a bit of a workout, with a few rather ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ sections on the descent over limestone made very slippery by erosion and the constant foot traffic of hikers.
Other "challenges": finding a parking space in the Anchois car park and passing numerous hikers on narrow, very stony sections near the Priory and, above all, the Croix de Provence.
Otherwise, an absolute treat 🤩, a must-do!!

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User 28567974

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Accessible hike (two clearly marked options: easy/difficult) with superb views.

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mantix
mantix
• Edited:

From 19 December 2025, the Imoucha trail (Blue, from the junction with the GR9 to Pas de l'Escalette (6)) will be reopened.
The Pois Rouge trail from (6) to (2) is closed by municipal decree. However, the descent from (3) to (2) includes a steep slab that must be climbed down: assess on the way up whether it is passable for the members of the group.

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DanielANDRE
DanielANDRE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A crazy world but a sublime landscape

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Régis 83 et 05
Régis 83 et 05

Route closed until the end of December due to construction work

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User 15172167

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is a "mountain climbing" type hike with exceptional views. On the way there and back, I took the difficult route. And it certainly is difficult. On the way back, I strongly recommend taking the easier route; your joints will thank you for it 😉
This is a must-do hike for the quality of the route, the priory, its chapel and the Cross of Provence 🤩

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FrancRous
FrancRous

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice walk between 5pm and sunset, with sumptuous scenery and the changing colours of the Sainte Victoire. You'll need good shoes and a good level of fitness (I wouldn't describe this walk as easy).

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REMY BASELLI
REMY BASELLI

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The climb was a bit tricky, but we were warned about it by Visorando. Everything went very well. Thank you very much.

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Olga 83
Olga 83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Currently closed for renovation😲
Exceptional view, but you have to earn it, in fact quite difficult 😉

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rvzw31
rvzw31
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Interesting and even fun: the Pas des Moines is not difficult for those who are used to hiking, the holds are sufficient, the height is limited and this passage is not exposed, there is no real danger (see a video given in another review, the passage is clearly visible, the other side is not steep and is even protected by trees). There's no reason to be afraid of heights... On the way back, go via l'Escalette. Here too, there is no real difficulty for those who can walk, but it may be a problem for those who are less comfortable. Of course, this should be done in dry weather, as the rock is polished in many places.
So, a very fine hike for slightly trained hikers, but don't go barefoot (as you'll see) and don't be impressed by the mention of the difficult outward route!

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Karolyn34
Karolyn34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike, more than forty years after the last one. It's as magical as ever in fine weather! The time indicated is for good walkers who are not afraid of heights, which was not the case for one of the people in our group. So it took us 6 hours, including the picnic, and we finished the route at night. This certainly spiced things up for us, but the person concerned enjoyed the enchantment much less!

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Pedro13
Pedro13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. 2h20 return on the difficult side.
You need a good pair of shoes. Reliable route and clearly visible markings.
A tiny bit of climbing (a few metres) that was easy to do.
And always the same dazzling view when you arrive at the Prieuré!
La Croix is currently undergoing works and is not accessible.

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Sadrighoz
Sadrighoz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk. The arrival at the priory is quite magical. La Croix is only a few minutes away.
On the other hand, the time indications are fanciful. It took us 2? hours from the En Chois car park, on the easiest route. So count the return journey as well.

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Siantheva
Siantheva

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike! We highly recommend it!
Bring plenty of water as there is no drinking water on arrival at the gîte du prieuré.
We took the easy route, which isn't so easy, especially one that's a bit steep.
Great with teenagers.
At the surprise cross: a family of goats and billy goats are waiting for you!

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Britanicus100
Britanicus100
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route with a climbing section suitable for sporty hikers or those with at least some mountain hiking experience. I've made a video with the names of the summits in 4k that describes the atmosphere of the hike and shows, among other things, this climbing section.
You can watch it here
https://youtu.be/AMekL8rUhyk

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