Spectacular scenic views of Baux-de-Provence

A short hike around Baux-de-Provence, mostly on good trails. There is a short climb down a well-maintained rocky path. 360° views at the viewpoint (or what remains of it). The Baux cover "every angle" with many panoramic views. Return via the village with the option to pay it a visit.

Technical sheet

156700
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.34 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 172 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 169 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 283 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 127 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: A car park at the Lumières Quarry on the D27.

PR (Yellow) markings

(S) No matter which car park you have found a space in, the start of the hike is opposite the entrance to the Lumières quarry site. Take the road (D27) to the left, ignore a small road off to the left, continue as far as the "DFCI" track on the right (No. AL215) heading onwards after crossing a fence. Stay on this track until the first crossroads.

No markings

(1) Take the track that climbs up to the right. About 200 m further on, leave the track to take another track to the left. Further on, after a steady climb, pass by a trail to the right and continue as far as another trail that is part of the GR6 route (there is a DFCI tank to the left on the edge of the path).

(2) Rather than follow the GR6 to the left, take a small path opposite (for the best views) along a track of the GR until it climbs up to the point where the orientation table was. Climb to the top of the promontory for a 360° view. Head down to the left (overlooking the village of Les Baux) along a fairly steep path to reach the currently paved track.

GR markings (White and Red)

(3) Turn right and go down the paved trail. Note in passing the rocks carved by erosion and again a beautiful view of the Baux. In turn, the GR6 follows a straight path. Stay on track reach the D27 road, near a pass.

No markings

(4) Turn left. At the pass, the road between two rock walls (caution, there is very little space for pedestrians). Immediately after, take a track to the right (on the corner there is a ruined cabin against the rock), pass through a barrier and continue on this track, ignoring paths leading off to the right. Pass by a ruin, keeping it on your left hand-side (the remains of a tower protecting the castle of Les Baux,) and continue on a path through the scrubland. It approaches the cliff. At this stage, be very careful because the maintained rocky path is not visible from the footpath.

(5) When it heads off to the right in a curve, go towards the cliff. An almost cubic cut in the rock indicates the beginning to the rocky steps (see picture “rocky steps seen from above"). Head down with the help of the bars set in the rock and continue on a path lined with small Kermes oak trees (careful, they have spines). It will take you to a large rock plateau as you go down, in sight, to reach a small road below.

Continue to the left. Continue alongside the homes, ignore a path headed to the right and enter the "lower village" of Les Baux. On the left you will see a spring (you are in the La Font valley) and, on the right, a washhouse fed by the spring. Continue straight ahead, cross a small road (D78g)

(6) Continue on a street opposite that leads to the road above (D27). Turn left and, a few metres further on, take the stairs to go up to the village (sign for "Village"). Arrive at a plaza, continue via the stairs to the right, through a door (called “Porte Eyguières”) and enter the village. After taking the time visit the village (optional), head out of the village by the main entrance at the other end overlooking the car park. Go to the end of this car park ignoring the entrance to the upper car park on the right.

Head down the stairs that lead to a turn in the D27A road below. Continue straight ahead, ignore the road heading left towards Maussane and continue on the one towards Maillane. It leads you straight to the site of the "Carrières de Lumières" and the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 175 m
  2. 1 : km 0.65 - alt. 226 m - Track on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.41 - alt. 271 m - Continue straight ahead on a path alongside the GR
  4. 3 : km 2.09 - alt. 265 m - Join the tarmac track and turn left
  5. 4 : km 2.54 - alt. 228 m - Route D27
  6. 5 : km 3.66 - alt. 201 m - Equipped rock step
  7. 6 : km 4.19 - alt. 127 m - Continue opposite - Le Baux de Provence
  8. S/E : km 5.34 - alt. 176 m

Practical information

Please note that this walk involves a very steep descent at the end and a climb down a vertical ladder.

DFCI: Défense de la Forêt contre les Incendies (forest fire prevention service). Track used by firefighters in case of fire. In the Alpilles, as in other massifs of the area (Luberon, the Vaucluse mountains...), these tracks are numbered (AL111 for Alpilles, LU111 in Luberon, MV111 for the Vaucluse mountains...). I say this because, in the Alpilles, "AL215" is sometimes misunderstood as being the altitude!

In the nearby area

The spring and washhouse of the Font valley.
At point (6), take a little detour to the left for a few metres to see a small garden. In the right-hand corner of the garden, notice a small pavilion called "Pavillon de la Reine Jeanne”. Frédéric Mistral commissioned a replica of it for his tomb in Maillane.
Visit the village of Les Baux-de-Provence.
The Carrières de Lumières quarry (there is an entry fee)

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 56 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Flocaf
Flocaf

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb walk today. The views of Les Baux and the surrounding area are magnificent.
The route is easily identifiable thanks to the visorando guidance system.
The walk is not difficult. We liked the fact that we got to see Les Baux in a different way, without the crowds
We started at the chemin des jardins, in the opposite direction to climb the ladder. But my partner, who is not comfortable with heights, said he could have done it on the way down...
I really recommend it.
Thanks for sharing La Dravers' road!

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Ladysweetart
Ladysweetart

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

What a lovely 1st May route! Thank you so much for sharing it with us, we really enjoyed it. We started at point 4, a small car park nearby.
Just before point 5, you can fork left, a beautiful viewpoint opposite Les Baux de Provence. It's an ideal spot for a picnic, with a very large stone platform. Then retrace your steps to reach point 5. After the remains of a tower, take the path to the right, and when you see the cairn, the green trace on the ground will guide you to the left. The first track is a little faded. The ladder in the rock was not a problem for us.
It was wonderful to see the Provençal tree species in full bloom. Thank you so much again!

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Bientzat
Bientzat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The route was taken on 30 April, early in the morning, but in the opposite direction. I parked for free at the bottom of the D27, just beyond the pay zone. Passing the ladder was no problem, the installation is perfect. The trail is marked with green dots. The rest of the route is very pleasant, including the shady descent from Val d'Enfer; the morning light really brings out the best in Les Baux. Thank you for this route.

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Mbouge
Mbouge

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk, only surprising point: the passage of a small cliff with a steel ladder, we have a puppy of 4 months, it was not very practical and it would be even less with small children! But otherwise a great hike!

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Mlpsc
Mlpsc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very fine and varied route, with magnificent views over the region and Les Baux, but beware of the tricky section on the way back down at the end of the route: high rocky edges, slightly hidden section, but good description. The end is a little slippery before rejoining the last path. January already busy...

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Puce
Puce

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The information provided for following the route is reliable and sufficient.
The route is really interesting, with magnificent panoramic views.

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pepinet
pepinet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A walk that offers beautiful views of the village in a special setting (rocks to see).
The walk is very well equipped, making it accessible to almost everyone.

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ElviejoDragon
ElviejoDragon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

This is a lovely walk that allows you to get away from the tourist frenzy that reigns in the narrow streets of Les Baux de Provence (which are in fact very beautiful).
The descent of the small ladder at the end of the route is not complicated unless you are particularly prone to vertigo. Be careful in wet weather, as this section is likely to be slippery.
To avoid the outrageous parking charges in the village, you can park your car (free of charge) in the small car parks to the north-west - probably more difficult in high season. You can visit the village in the middle of your walk and return to the car at the end.

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st flo
st flo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk
Calm on the canal
Magnificent views from the aqueduct

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rocchiccioli
rocchiccioli

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Short but good. The route is varied, so you'll have plenty to see... Don't forget to take a break or, better still, have lunch on the cliff opposite the village of Les Baux....

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chrisgil-dive
chrisgil-dive

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We did it backwards to get past the ladder on the way up and also the slab between 6 and 5. A tricky point: when you see a large slab of rock you have to turn right onto the slab and look for it! After point 5 (upside down) there are small paths 30 to 50 metres long that lead to viewpoints facing Le Baux. Barely 2 hours if you take your time. I'd recommend it.

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bernard barberet
bernard barberet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant route with beautiful 360° views.

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AqualiJu
AqualiJu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

There are a lot of people in Les Baux, so parking can be tricky, but there are immediately fewer people on the paths.
This little walk is ideal as a complement to a tour of the village, I loved the views and the paths. Thank you very much!

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Cbent
Cbent

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The route starts off with a medium gradient, followed by a pleasant section with splendid views over the whole of the Baux de Provence valley, and finally the last section from number five, which is a little more strenuous, but quite practicable and very well signposted - a very nice walk that I will certainly be doing again.

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fanee
fanee

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice little hike, great views.
There are no (or no longer ....) signs on the way back.

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