The viewpoint at Saint-Michel l’Aiguille

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A walk offering views of the town of Manosque from a high vantage point. The first part of the ascent follows a wide track intended for the fire brigade. The second part of the ascent follows a narrow path. The descent is easy along a path. The rest of the walk takes you through quiet, narrow streets.

Details

n°150955
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.57 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 185 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 182 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 631 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 451 m
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Photos

La Thomassine
Third view of Manosque
Second view of Manosque
First view of Manosque

Description of the walk

Take Chemin de la Thomassine, after the Les Girardes housing estate. Park on the left-hand side of the road, along the wall.

(S/E) When you leave your car, take the first road on the right (north), the Chemin des Rouccassières. After the barrier, the road becomes a wide track, straight ahead. Stay on this main track, which climbs, initially heading due north then north-east.

(1) About fifty metres after coming out of a wide right-hand bend, turn onto the path on the left. You will continue to climb. You will reach the highest point, Saint-Michel l'Aiguille. Then head straight down to the road called Chemin de Saint-Martin-des-Eaux.

(2) Turn right and continue to the second street.

(3) Turn right onto Chemin de la Costière de Guérin; after two 90° bends (left then right), you will reach Chemin de Font de Guérin.

(4) Turn left. At the end of this street, you’ll come out onto Chemin de la Thomassine; turn right and stay on the pavement until you reach the parking spot (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 453 m - Chemin de la Thomassine
  2. 1 : km 1.06 - alt. 571 m - Start of the short trail
  3. 2 : km 2.15 - alt. 509 m - Chemin Saint Martin des Eaux
  4. 3 : km 2.39 - alt. 486 m - Chemin de la Costière de Guérin
  5. 4 : km 2.87 - alt. 463 m - Chemin de Font de Guérin
  6. S/E : km 3.56 - alt. 453 m - Chemin de la Thomassine

Notes

This is a short hike that’s easy to do with children. Always wear good shoes, take water and a first-aid kit.

Worth a visit

At the top, at a place called Saint-Michel l’Aiguille, you’ll have a stunning view of Manosque.
Continue along this road (Chemin de la Thomassine) to the end, and you’ll arrive at La Thomassine (Maison de la Biodiversité).
Other walks I’ve posted starting from Manosque: Mont d’Or and the Chapelle Toutes-Aures.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
glaciers
glaciers

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

From the highest point, there is a beautiful view of Manosque and its surroundings.
Seniors should note that it is a continuous climb to reach the summit and that the descent is quite rocky.
Apart from the viewpoint at St Michel l'Aiguille, the hike is of little interest.
However, thank you to the author for sharing.

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bancaus
bancaus

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk in the hills above Manosque. Unlike the town itself, this area feels just like Giono’s descriptions. Up there, you can imagine what a journey it must have been for a little boy to make it all the way to Corbières (in *Jean le Bleu*)

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WILLSVO
WILLSVO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short route offering several views of Manosque. The tracks and paths follow one another and are very easy to walk on. The gradients are reasonable, with a wooded section near the summit of the Aiguille. A pleasant end to the walk through the La Thomassine housing estate to return to the starting point. The signposts are accurate. Make sure you go all the way to the end of Chemin de la Thomassine to find the parking spaces (for several cars) on the left. We had stopped a little earlier. A pleasant walk, slightly shorter than the estimated time. One to do again with other friends.

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cedric.h
cedric.h

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello,
A lovely little hike in the hills above Manosque. It offers a view of the town that you don’t usually get to see. It starts with a bit of a climb...
Highly recommended,
Enjoy the walk,
Julie and Cédric
www.sacsadosetcourbatures.fr

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