Pays d'Aix to Cap Canaille – Seven Provençal walks

Sainte-Victoire and the Sainte-Baume massif are two extraordinary mountains in Provence. Paul Cézanne, precursor of post-impressionism and cubism, was fascinated by the Sainte-Victoire mountain. The mountain, which overlooks the town of Aix-en-Provence, is nicknamed Cézanne's muse, and has been depicted more than 80 times by the French artist. It dominates the plain of the Pays d'Aix, and is, like Mont Ventoux, one of the symbols of Provence. It’s fascinating in more ways than one, and its inhospitable, mineral appearance and subtle changes in colour tone also attracted the attention of Pablo Picasso. Its adret (south) and ubac (north) faces are very different. On the south side, the sharp walls dominate the Arc basin. To the north, the landscape gently slopes down to a series of more wooded limestone plateaux.

The Sainte-Baume massif, meanwhile, has a spiritual focus. It owes its name to the cave of Mary Magdalene, located on the side of the mountain cliffs and known as the Sainte-Baume. Its valleys, peaks and thousand-year-old beech forest are magical, and the peak has been a great pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages.

The Cap Canaille loop along the coast rounds off this beautiful Collection beautifully.

These routes explore seven of the most beautiful paths spanning these two outstanding mountains. The landscapes are sublime, and full of natural treasures, ancient monuments and exceptional viewpoints. The advantage of these itineraries is that they can be done all year round. The summits reach an average altitude of only 1,000 metres (3,300 ft), and it’s therefore rare to come across snow on the peaks. In summer, the cooler temperatures in the mountains are a pleasant refuge for hikers during heat waves.

The terrain is rugged and the routes are not recommended for beginners. Aix-en-Provence or the village of Le Beausset are excellent bases for your walks. You'll be surprised by the gulf between the hustle and bustle of the Mediterranean cities and the more rustic and isolated Provençal hinterland. It's a smart way to enjoy both the dynamism of the coastal towns and the authenticity of the mountains in the same holiday.

Make sure you bring plenty of water and good walking shoes. A hat and sun cream are essential for protecting against the sun.

This Collection follows on from a previous one describing seven loops around Mont Ventoux in the Vaucluse département. If you still have the time and energy to continue your discovery of the mountains of Provence, I encourage you to take a look: komoot.com/fr-fr/collection/1864717/des-dentelles-au-ventoux-sept-balades-vauclusiennes.

Enjoy your walks!