The Cézanne ledge, starting from Bibémus

The walk starts from the Bibémus car park, which can be reached by car, butplease note that renovation work on the car park and the road is scheduled for spring 2025; it is therefore advisable to take bus 6 or 21 to the Trois Bons Dieux car park, or to drive there and walk up to the start of the walk. Shuttles may operate on this route from summer 2025 onwards – please check. Otherwise, on foot, access from Les Trois Bons Dieux is via the road: 2.6 km, with an elevation gain of 110 m; allow one hour each way.

(S/E) Walk past the entrance to the quarries and turn immediately right after the wattle fence; follow the fence for a short while before heading down into the quarries beyond the fence. The path crosses these quarries; this part of the route is very interesting. Several routes are possible, and you’re free to wander off a little to explore them all; some of these quarries served as models for Cézanne. Don’t be surprised if, towards the start of the quarry crossing, the path passes under a rock – you’ll need to duck your head slightly. Continue then through the pine forest and join the path that descends towards Tholonet.

(1) Follow it for a few metres to the right only, then turn left onto an old quarry track; note the ruts carved into the rock by the wheels of the carts. Walk down for about a hundred metres.

(2) Take great care: further up on the left-hand side, just before the hairpin bend, take the horizontal path that leads along a ledge. Follow it, staying on this ledge at all times, almost at the top of the slope and above the cliffs. Don’t miss the promontory on the right, with its unobstructed views, which offers a stunning vista of Sainte Victoire and the Zola dam; this was one of Cézanne’s favourite spots, where he painted several canvases.
Continue along this ledge, ignoring the various paths that ascend or descend steeply. The path continues along the contour line.

(3) Here, the path climbs two small hairpin bends. Continue along the edge of the plateau until you reach the main track.

(4) Take this track to the right. After a short, rocky descent, it continues along the contour line. Follow it until you reach a bend: note, on the right, an open promontory offering beautiful scenery and the scents of the heath.

(5) Retrace your steps to the junction with the path you took on the way there.

(4) Continue along the track all the way to the car park (S/E).

A short walk, but the section along the ledge is a bit uneven, very slightly exposed and requires sturdy footwear.

Visit to the Bibémus quarries (enclosed section): please contact the Tourist Office for details, as well as for the themed guided tours of the area covered by this walk, which are very informative and highly recommended.