Pourrières walks

Less frequented than its illustrious neighbour, Mont Aurélien, Mont Olympe offers no less than an exceptional 360° panorama of most of the region's iconic peaks, even as far as the Mercantour on a clear day. After a fairly long approach walk on a gentle, steady slope, the final steep climb is more suited to experienced and trained walkers. But what a reward!

Between Sainte-Victoire and Sainte-Baume, two prestigious mountains in Provence, you can reach Olympe.

This is a moderately difficult hike that takes you from the Col des Portes to the Pic des Mouches, one of the peaks of Sainte-Victoire, where the view is superb. The loop ends at the Citadelle, a rocky plateau that vaguely resembles a fortified castle (with a little imagination).

An energetic loop in Sainte-Victoire leaving from the Saint-Ser car park. The climb up goes via the east of the Bau de l'Aigle and the descent back down is via the 'Pas du Clapier'.

This hike leads to the Hermitage of Saint-Jean du Puy, an observatory overlooking the Arc Valley and facing the Sainte-Victoire Mountain. On the other side, to the south, is the village of Saint-Zacharie and the Sainte-Baume mountain range. The site, which has become a favourite spot for hikers, consists of a refuge, a chapel, a shelter with gardens and a watchtower that serves as an observatory overlooking the valley.

A long circular hike starting from Vauvenargues that follows the Sainte-Victoire ridge from the Pic des Mouches to the Croix de Provence.

A loop hike on the south side of Sainte-Victoire Montagne allowing access to the ridge via the Marbrière and the Brèche du Clapier (gap). The walk along the ridge towards the Croix de Provence offers splendid views. Descent via the Priory, the Pas du Berger and the Cézanne Shelter.

An alternating view of pasture and fresh forests, this pleasant flat walk will lead you past the Notre Dame d'Esparron chapel and its small cemetery classified as an historical monument. Crossing the tiny village of Artigues is also surprising. You'll particularly enjoy refilling your water bottles at the communal fountain. The advantage of this charming loop that it's flat and very manageable, there are only one or two small climbs along the route.

This short hike runs along the steepest slopes of the mountain, where you will be dazzled by the mineral colours of the rock. You will discover the ruins of a medieval Celtic-Ligurian fortified settlement abandoned around the 10th century on the Untinos oppidum, and the return route offers magnificent views of the ochre ridges in the foreground of Sainte-Victoire.

La meilleure manière d'apprécier la Montagne Sainte-Victoire n'est pas nécessairement de monter au sommet mais peut être bien de rester à son pied. La boucle décrite ici, à l'aplomb de la Croix de Provence, vous fera découvrir la Face Sud sous tous les angles, de près et avec du recul. L'itinéraire est varié, vallonné avec de superbes vues.

The tour of the Cengle plateau is an easy circular hike around the Cengle plateau, a veritable balcony offering splendid and unusual views of the Sainte-Victoire Mountain. You can also start from Beaurecueil (car park at the start of the path) or from the Bouquet car park on the CD 17 before Saint Antonin. It should also be noted that this area is much less frequented than the rest of the Sainte Victoire massif.

A walk to this little Provençal chapel on the heights of Jouques, at the top of Concors Mountain. Particularly isolated, it is only accessible on foot. From the top of Mont Concors, there is a beautiful view (watchtower), notably of the castles of Grand Sambuc and Petit Sambuc, and of Sainte-Victoire. You can do this hike in reverse if you want to enjoy the views better on the way back. And enjoy a nice climb in the shade ;-)

Sainte-Victoire is a highlight of Provence for hikers and climbers. Before you start, make sure access to the massif is allowed because a regulation is applicable from 1 June to 30 September which and can limit access hours.

A physical loop hike along Sainte-Victoire, a climb to Prieuré Sainte-Victoire / Croix de Provence through Bau Cézanne and going back through "le Gouffre de Garagaï" and "les deux Aiguilles".

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

Located between Sainte-Victoire and Luberon, the Montagne de Vautubiere offers beautiful views of the entire Provençal mountains (from the Southern Alps to Sainte-Baume). You can also discover a pretty hidden agricultural valley. This walk combines superb views with the freshness of cultivated meadows surrounded by forests, offering a pleasant change of scenery.

This hike takes you to the ruins of Castrum Saint-Jean, 600 metres above sea level, on the spur of the hill overlooking the present-day village of Rougiers. Don't forget to visit the Guillandière spring in the communal woods, east of Saint-Jean hill.

The Huveaune river has its source in the Sainte-Beaume massif at the Castelette cave. It is actually several resurgent and petrifying springs.

A beautiful hike starting from Les Rougiers at the foot of Sainte Baume, where you will discover historical sites dating from the Gallo-Roman period to the Middle Ages: the Piégu oppidum, the Fontaine de la Guillandiére, the Château Saint-Jean, the ruins of the fortified village and its troglodyte dwellings, and its 19th-century chapel.

A loop passing through the Gorges de l'Huveaune to its source, with some beautiful views across the hills to Sainte-Baume and Sainte-Victoire. Please note that from 6 November 2023 to 22 December 2023, access to the source of the Huveaune is prohibited. ONF construction work in progress.

Despite a slight elevation gain, this is a scenic hike with 360° views of the Luberon and, behind, Mont Ventoux, the Lure mountain, the upper and lower Verdon, and the Dévoluy. On the other side, you can see Sainte-Victoire, Sainte-Baume, and Mont Olympe.

This hike around Peypin will allow you to discover the village, its history and its hills. You will walk along a stream, which is remarkable when in full flow with its small waterfall and pools, and follow paths through shady valleys. The hike ends with a tour of the village's narrow streets and a visit to the castle. If you wish, you can skip this last part (see (8) for things to do nearby).

A very pleasant hike along the banks of the Caramy, with swimming possible on the first part of the route.