Discover the exceptional landscapes of Mont Saint-Victoire and its western foothills. This is a loop hike starting from Le Tholonet, offering a number of beautiful viewpoints over the mountain made famous by Cezanne, and from which it was painted by the Aix painter.
The theme of this tour is the landscapes of Sainte-Victoire, which fascinated Cezanne until the end of his life, and of which he painted 87 pictures.
Itinerary :
You'll start the walk from the Infernets parking lot in Le Tholonet, 6 km east of Aix-en-Provence.
You'll then climb rapidly into the pine forest above Le Tholonet castle.
You'll reach your first viewpoint above the gorges carved out by the river Cause, with Mont Sainte-Victoire in the background.
After passing a small pass, you continue upwards to reach the edge of the Bibémus plateau. A new vantage point offers views of Sainte-Victoire.
A little further on, you'll catch a glimpse of the Zola dam and part of its lake.
Finally, you'll have the opportunity to discover part of the old Bibémus quarries, closed since the late 19th c. and painted by Cezanne on several occasions.
Practical information:
You will be given a travel diary with meeting places and times. This is generally a fairly easy route, with a few short steep and/or stony passages.
For this day:
- You'll need to be well shod and well supplied with water.
Desired level of participant : All levels / Good physical condition
Minimum and maximum number of participants: 6 to 18 people
Number of kilometers covered: 9 km
Duration: 3 hours
Single price: 30€
Minimum age: 7 years
Offer validity dates :
All year round, July/August subject to prefectoral orders for closure of the Luberon Natural Park.
Optional: The route can be modulated according to the desired walking time and your level.
Location: This theme day takes place in the Parc Naturel du Luberon. To find out more about the Parc Naturel du Luberon, click here.
Accommodation: Not included. You can book the accommodation of your choice in the vacation rentals, hotels and B&B sections.
Supervision : Jean-Bernard, Mountain Guide. He'll be delighted to pass on his love of nature and our magnificent Provencal countryside.
Price includes : A travel book, a 3-hour hike, the guide, entrance to the village of Les Bories.
Price does not include : Meals, personal expenses, accommodation, transport, entrance to Sénanque Abbey.