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.
Calculated time: 3h40[?] 
Distance : 10.64km
Vertical gain : 209m
Vertical drop : 202m
Highest point : 508m
Lowest point : 358m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Artigues (Var)
(83560)
Starting point : N 43.603133° / E 5.791078° Access : From the roundabout separating the D3 from the D561 in the direction of Artigues, drive for 2.8km.
Fork to the right at the small junction, continue 200 meters north-northeast and then you can park on the lower side.
(D/A) Go fully east on the dirt track bordered by trees (50 meters to the north of the small water-treatment building). After 800 meters, this track will cross the D561 to pass the building in a west-east axis for 2.5km (almost always between rows of trees, and often along the irrigation channels). The D561 is used very little.
(1) Continue until the point where the D561 curves southeast and you begin to move away from it.
(2) Take a right-angle turn fully south for 60 meters and then, as soon as you see the departmental road again, turn fully east for 150 meters along the fields, then the path goes southeast up to a cross which marks a very small intersection.
(3) Then descend the small asphalt road fully south up to the immense groves of old oak trees which mark the spot of the old Chapelle Notre-Dame and reach the old cemetery. You are then half way.
(4) Continue south on the wide track that climbs up to the hill, 80 meters away, when the track turns to the left, leave it for the small path that winds between the vines, fully west.
(5) Then follow the GR®99A trail, signposted red and white, which will take you gradually into the forest. Follow this GR® up to the village of Artigues, with a few houses, a château, a town hall and a drinking water fountain which is very pleasant in summer.
(6) Leave the village and start a descent on the D65 in a westerly direction, then southwest for 525 meters. Reach some wooden signs (to the left of the road).
(7) Walk through the forest still following the GR®99A trail. This is steepest section of the walk (50 meters elevation). After a few bends, the GR® goes mainly west.
(8) Start a long walk across the beautiful forest, following the GR® trail to reach the car park (D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 358m
1 : km 2.66 - alt. 380m - Leave the D561
2 : km 3.32 - alt. 383m - Intersection on roadside
3 : km 4.2 - alt. 409m - Intersection with a cross
4 : km 4.53 - alt. 428m - Chapel and old cemetery
5 : km 4.82 - alt. 446m - GR99A intersection
6 : km 7.17 - alt. 477m - Leave Artigues on the D65
7 : km 7.74 - alt. 441m - Intersection with wooden sign
8 : km 8.04 - alt. 483m - End of hair-pin bends
D/A : km 10.64 - alt. 358m
A good hat in summer, water.
The first part has muddy sections after rain.
Fountain in the village of Artigues.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Benches in the shade of oak trees at the old Roman Notre-Dame chapel.
Pretty fields of flowers in the spring.
Some views of the Alps between gaps in the forest.
11.5km
+1015m
-1011m
6h10
Very difficult
Starting point in Puyloubier - 13 - Bouches-du-Rhône 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'.
13.88km
+721m
-727m
6h00
Difficult
Starting point in Vauvenargues - 13 - Bouches-du-Rhône 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. See the link below:
http://www.paca.gouv.fr/files/massif/
9.73km
+711m
-707m
4h50
Difficult
Starting point in Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon - 13 - Bouches-du-Rhône 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.
7.04km
+736m
-731m
4h05
Extreme
Starting point in Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon - 13 - Bouches-du-Rhône 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".
18.24km
+878m
-887m
7h45
Average
Starting point in Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde - 13 - Bouches-du-Rhône 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.
9.6km
+248m
-257m
3h25
Average
Starting point in Quinson - 04 - Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Wonderful hike through the Lower Verdon Gorges, starting in Quinson.
6.94km
+306m
-306m
2h50
Easy
Starting point in Le Tholonet - 13 - Bouches-du-Rhône 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.
8.33km
+266m
-262m
3h10
Average
Starting point in Tourves - 83 - Var A beautiful hike in the hills of Tourves.
A remarkable view over the Saint-Maximin plains and the mountain La Loube.
Wonderful opportunity to discover and tour the Saint-Probace Chapel
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
