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.

Details

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

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 303 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 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

Notes

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.

Worth a visit

  • 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 135 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
jrf
jrf

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short hike to discover Cézanne's surroundings (the mill has nothing to do with the painter).
We took the blocked path without feeling in any danger and arrived at the ruins of old hydraulic equipment. The path winds its way up to the Zola dam (Emile's father, an engineer, designed this structure) with a beautiful view of the Sainte Victoire mountain a little higher up. Be careful not to miss the path that branches off to the right below the bench at the edge of the track.

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chespeel
chespeel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with no difficulties whatsoever. Varied landscape. Magnificent view of the Zola dam. There are signs prohibiting passage, but I don't understand why, as there is nothing dangerous. You can easily walk around the side of the barrier.

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User 9093352

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The signposting isn't always clear. Thank goodness for the app, which helps you find your way around. Nice walk

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User 25906406
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Sep 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike!!!

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Aquariel
Aquariel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Mar 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Dec 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

beautiful views of the Sainte Victoire mountain range

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Mali26
Mali26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Oct 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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

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