Sainte-Victoire (Massif) walks

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.

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

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 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.

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 superb hike, best enjoyed in spring: the Zola and Bimont dams and the old Roman dam are magnificent.

A beautiful hike up one of the highest mountains in the Provence: the magnificent Sainte-Victoire. Enjoy 360° views as far as the Alps and the Ventoux. The Priory alone is well worth the effort.

This very easy hike takes you in the footsteps of the viewpoints painted by Cézanne. The route takes you around the Sainte-Victoire National Nature Reserve. Along the way, you will see the Bimont dam, the Doudon aqueduct and an old marble quarry.

Hike through a landscape of rocks and vegetation dotted with ochre and red earth. The first part of the route follows a very wide path in the footsteps of Cézanne, offering extraordinary views of the Sainte-Victoire mountain (south-west side, the most painted by the artist), the Refuge Cézanne and the ruins of the hamlet of Le Trou. The second part is shaded, on a small path, shorter and wilder.

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).

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.

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'.

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

This short hike offers a circuit that alternates between cliff tops and narrow valleys. After thefirst part, which offers a panoramic view of the entire hike and a passage over the Zola Dam, thesecond part immerses you in the Petite Mer valley (along the La Cause stream) and its dam.

Circuit to the Pic des Mouches combining a steady, gentle climb above Puyloubier via the Malivert oratory and a challenging descent in a magnificent, very wild setting to the Saint-Ser inn via the Green trail. Please note: (4) The descent via the green trail is impossible: there is a signprohibiting access between 1 February and 15 July each year (to protect birds, butterflies, reptiles, etc. during the breeding season). See practical information.

This hike offers breathtaking, legendary views of Lake Zola, with the Montagne Sainte-Victoire painted by Cézanne in the background. Marked paths alternate with wild trails.

This short loop from the Bimont dam allows you to visit Roques Hautes. It is very accessible, even for families. You will see a marble quarry, numerous busy meadows and, of course, a beautiful view of the Sainte-Victoire mountain. There are a few changes to the route in the reserve, see the notices

An easy walk starting from Le Tholonet, allowing you to see the two dams and walk through the woods with a view of Sainte-Victoire and the entire surrounding valley. Easy to follow as the route is on main paths

A beautiful panoramic view of the north face of Sainte-Victoire. In the distance, the Luberon, Lure, the peak of Mont Ventoux, a beautiful view of the Alps on a clear day, crossing isolated meadows at the foot of the Ubacs mountain. Part of the route crosses a private hunting ground, so it is unthinkable to do this section during the hunting season, but it can easily be avoided.

Spectacular route on the southern slope of Sainte-Victoire, arriving on the ridge path via the Grotte des Hirondelles and descending via the Pas de l'Escalette and the Refuge de Cézanne.

A wonderful outdoor excursion, perfect for a family day out and accessible to all fitness levels. In the heart of nature, this hike offers a peaceful getaway, where enchanting landscapes and easy trails allow you to recharge your batteries with ease.

Short family hike. Start on the botanical trail (optional) then climb up to the chapel. Pass by a cave and you may see some goats.

A magnificent hike following the closure of the Bimont dam for over a year during the week. Superb views, to be enjoyed clockwise as you climb towards the Bimont dam. 11/09/2024: Closure of the Imoucha trail for 3 months, from 1 October to 31 December (2024 and 2025). Hike not possible during these periods. See practical information.

This large circular starting from Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon takes you through several characteristic places: the old marble quarry, the Barthélémy Baudino Refuge, the Hermitage of Saint-Ser and the pass of the same name, then the ridges on the way back to the Priory, the descent to the Pas de l'Escalette and the Cézanne Refuge and, finally, the Oppidum Untinos.

A beautiful hike starting from Le Tholonet, mostly off the beaten track. You walk along the small Cause stream in the Petite Mer, then continue on to the Zola Dam and the Bimont Dam. Return to Le Tholonet, passing close to Cézanne's mill.

Short, challenging hike in the Baudino refuge area via the Grand Couloir (chain/cable passages) and descent via the Pas de Clapier after enjoying the views from the Plan de la Crau

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.

In the Sainte-Victoire region, there is an easy circular in the heath with several points of interest: the Citadel oppidum, the Lambruisse farm and chapel, and the Sinne observatory. Beautiful views of Sainte-Victoire and even the Alps.

A circular loop in Sainte-Victoire. Ascent to Prieuré Sainte-Victoire / Croix de Provence via Écaille de Tortue and Gouffre de Garagaï, return via Gouffre de Garagaï and Deux Aiguilles.

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".

Nestled at the foot of Montagne Sainte-Victoire, the Puyloubier vineyard occupies a large part of the commune's territory. This hike, proposed by the local cooperative winery, allows you to explore this vineyard on paths dotted with oratories, with superb views of the mountain.

A challenging circular in Sainte-Victoire starting from the Saint-Ser car park. The ascent is via the Col de Saint-Ser and the descent via the Col de Vauvenargues. The Saint-Ser black trail is closed from 1 February to 15 July 2023 (between 4 and 6). See practical information.

A beautiful hike offering varied panoramic views of Sainte-Victoire, the Vauvenargues valley and the Durance riverbed from the crest of Montagne des Ubacs.

Une magnifique promenade sur l'un des plus hauts massifs de Provence qui convient pour une sortie du club de randonnée en autocar (le départ du parking du barrage de Bimont et l'arrivée à Vauvenargues). La montée au Prieuré et à la Croix de Provence se fait par le sentier Imoucha et la descente par le sentier des Venturiers. De sublimes paysages de Paul Cézanne en 3D au sommet : la basse Provence jusqu'à la mer et l'étang de Berre, le sommet du mont Ventoux, les contours des Alpes au Nord.Attention. Un randonneur signale le 17 septembre 2024 :- Fermeture du Sentier Imoucha pour travaux du 01/10/2024 au 31/12/2024 et du 01/10/2025 au 31/10/2025.- Fermeture du Prieuré pour travaux jusqu'au 31/12/2024.

Shaded climb to Pic des Mouches from Col des Portes, passing by the Oratoire de Malivert. The return route passes by the Citadelle, an ancient settlement north of Sainte-Victoire, then by the Sinne astronomical observatory.

A magnificent and very challenging route in the Sainte-Victoire massif from the Deux Aiguilles car park, via La Marbrerie to access the Pas du Clapier, then on to the Pic des Mouches, descending via the La Tine trail and then climbing back up to the Baudino Refuge via the Chapelle de Saint-Ser.

A pleasant walk with views of La Croix de Sainte-Victoire. The Bouquet car park can be busy during peak periods. It is therefore advisable to choose your timing carefully and not hesitate to set off early. Stop off at the Cézanne refuge before setting off along a wide path through groves of young oak trees and well-maintained olive groves. 07/11/2024: Hikes temporarily inaccessible: the black and green trails on Sainte-Victoire are closed by municipal decree due to rockfalls. See practical information.

A circular route on the southern slope of Sainte-Victoire, passing through the Col de Vauvenargues and the Col de Saint-Ser, then descending to the Ermitage Saint-Ser and the Refuge Baudino. The Saint-Ser black trail is closed from 1 February to 15 July 2023 (between 4 and 5). See practical information.

A beautiful walk among rockroses, thyme and rosemary with lovely views of all the mountains around Pourrières, including Sainte-Victoire and Mont Aurélien. Best done in spring when the rockroses and wild orchids are in bloom.

A challenging and demanding route that sometimes straddles the line between hiking and light climbing.The route involves a triple ascent of Sainte-Victoire via the three marked trails to the south-west of the massif: the Black, Green (Forcioli) and finally Yellow trails.Then continue along the ridges to the east, crossing the plateau’s characteristic sharp limestone pavement, to the Brèche du Clapier.(__Please note: see important warning in the description__)

A splendid hike away from the main trails on the heights of Lake Zola, which we will circumnavigate, as well as along both banks of the River Cause, which feeds the dam. Along the way, an ancient Roman dam, magnificent views of the lake and the Sainte Victoire massif, and the discovery of numerous shelters and caves. Finally, a short detour to the Bibémus quarries and their ochre-coloured carved rocks. Please read the ‘Practical Information’ section carefully.

An exceptional hike at the bottom of Lake Bimont to be done before the dam is filled in 2019. Views of the most beautiful side of Sainte-Victoire, a beautiful climb, a magnificent panorama of the region, a walk at the bottom of the lake, old stones bearing witness to times gone by. Important: The end of this route, part of which is marked on the map in the lake, could be completed until May 2019, before the lake was filled. Read the practical information below. 11/09/2024: Closure of the Imoucha trail for 3 months, from 1 October to 31 December (2024 and 2025). Hiking is not possible during these periods. See practical information.

Circular loop around La Marbrière. A challenging and demanding route, sometimes straddling the line between hiking and light climbing. Route involving a west-to-east traverse of Sainte-Victoire via high-altitude paths and, at times, completely off-trail. Pas de l’Oppidum and Pas du Chat are also on the itinerary. 07/11/2024: Hikes temporarily inaccessible: the black and green routes on Sainte-Victoire are closed by municipal order due to rockfalls. See practical information.

A physically demanding route, sometimes straddling the line between hiking and climbing. The route involves a west-to-east traverse across the easternmost part of Sainte-Victoire, taking in a few off-trail sections. The route is dotted with numerous caves and cavities, including the Grotte aux Champignons. The Saint Ser black trail is closed by municipal order from 1 February to 15 July each year. The green trail is closed by municipal order between 1 February and 15 July each year (to protect the breeding of birds, butterflies, reptiles, etc.). See practical information.

A short, challenging hike, starting from Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon towards the Barthélémy Baudino Refuge, passing through La Marbrière and then the Pas du Clapier. There is a cave along the way. The return route goes round La Torque hill, then follows beautiful DFCI tracks at the foot of Sainte-Victoire. Magnificent scenery throughout the route.

Route along the ridges of Montagne Sainte-Victoire from Puyloubier to the Anchois car park (leave a car there). A fairly long hike, with a few tricky sections (chains) and slippery patches depending on the season. Magnificent 360° views. 11/09/2024: The Imoucha trail will be closed for 3 months, from 1 October to 31 December (2024 and 2025). The hike cannot be undertaken during these periods. See practical information.

A circular starting from the northern slope of Montagne de la Sainte-Victoire to reach Col de Suberoque via the Sentier des Plaideurs trail, then following the GR®9 along the ridges towards Pic des Mouches. A few technical sections without any major difficulties and, above all, a 360° panorama.

After a relatively classic route with some slightly technical, sometimes aerial and exposed passages, the circular route ends with a little-known, easy route which, when you take a step back, offers magnificent views of the mountain. The GPX track may be useful.

It is a superb, very enjoyable hike with magnificent views, though it remains quite technical with tricky sections; there are always people at the Croix de Provence and the Prieuré de la Sainte-Victoire.

A short hike, but with a decent bit of elevation gain nonetheless, beneath the Croix de Provence. It’s a good warm-up before tackling the Croix de Provence, which stands on the Sainte-Victoire ridge at an altitude of 948 m above the Priory, restored and maintained by the Friends of Sainte-Victoire since 1955.