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The Venturiers trail, Ste Victoire mountainThe Venturiers trail, Ste Victoire mountain

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fritz
24675 pts.
  • Off the path Explo
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    Sainte Victoire is very famous in the region and even in France. But this is a singular way to discover this beautiful mountain Fritz!
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      Very good description and tips Fritz!
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      Yes! And you added a google map!
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      Yes, 3 pics!
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      Yes!
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      Yes!
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Immortalized by Cézanne's paintings, this mythical mountain dominates the Aix en Provence country with its 1000m of height.

Many different trails allow you to discover this fantastic mountain.

The Venturiers trail is maybe the easiest and freshest one for a first contact with Ste Victoire...

My experience, Explo description: 

Last Alpine mountain Southward in Provence, the Ste Victoire mountain is oriented from the West to the East. It presents 2 very contrasted sides : a cooler and relatively afforested slight sloping North face, and an abrupt, mineral, warm, South face, with blinding white limestone cliffs, attracting climbers from the whole world.

The summit is situated at the Pic des mouches (Peak of the Flies), 1011m high, in the oriental extremity. In this sector you can visit the small chapel of Saint-Ser (see related visit article).

In the centre, the vast highland of "Bau des Vespres" is 1010m high.

The most known part of Ste Victoire mountain is the Western part. It is only 946m high, at the Cross of Provence. Is this sector you can visit the Priory (Prieuré : see related visit article) and the Garagaï hole (see related visit article).

The Venturiers trail can be translated in French as : chemin des Venturiers. Venturier was the name given to Mount Venture pilgrims : Mount Venture was the former name of Ste Victoire mountain.

Height : 620m, 2 hours to go up, 1.20h to go down.

Trail is GR9, with white and red signs.

Starting point : in the North face of the Ste Victoire. Park at the Cabassols car park, located in the municipality of Vauvenargues.

By the way, have a look at the Vauvenargues castle, Picasso spent some years.

The trail will first go down (about 30m) to cross a little river, before starting climbing up...

Go up. You will reach the Priory (888m of height). Visit the chapel, the shelter, and the vestiges of the monastry. Then go the South breach, where you can have an amazing sight on the mountain Southern side.

Then, walk 10mn more to reach the Croix de Provence (Provence cross), 946m of height).

Return to the car by the same trail.

My personal recommendations: 

It is recommended to walk 5mn more to the East to look at a natural curiosity : the huge Garagaï hole (also known as the swallow cave).

How getting there: 

If you do not have a car, there is a bus service (la Victorine) connecting different places at Ste Victoire mountain, including the Cabassols car park. The buses leave at "La Rotonde" (Aix en Provence main square). Fees : 1.1€.

Bus schedules :
http://la-victorine.fr/info.php?RuN...

A tip to eat: 

No place to eat. Take a pic nic.

Useful information: 
Visit duration: 

1/2 day.

Entry fees: 

Free !

Access security: 

Attention : access is restricted in summer for the prevention of the fires : from June 1st till September 15th.
Information phone : 0811 20 13 13

Use good shoes because of the very rocky ground, and plan to take with you at least 1 litre of water per person, and even 2l in warm period.

In summer, you should start your walking tour early, before the warm hours.

See map : the trail is in Red.
View Montagne Sainte-Victoire Ouest in a larger map