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Mount Ste Victoire Roundtrip from Aix
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Jan Koelstra (jan cabrio)
Last edit: 24-09-2024
Route Summary
The Montagne Sainte-Victoire is a limestone massif in the south of France. The mountain range runs from west to east and extends over 18 km. After the Sainte-Baume massif, the Montagne Sainte-Victoire is the southernmost massif that geologically forms part of the French Pre-Alps. On a striking peak of 945 meters stands the Croix de Provence, a 17 meter high cross.

The Sainte-Victoire mountain range with the Pic des Mouches at 1011 m, near Aix-en-Provence, has been immortalized by the many paintings of the famous impressionist Paul Cézanne. Along this route with its many viewpoints, you can fully discover the Sainte-Victoire massif. The Provençal landscape looks even more spectacular here because the imposing Sainte-Victoire mountain range is surrounded by red earth dotted with vineyards.

The tour around Mont Ste-Victoire starts and ends in one of the most atmospheric places in Provence and is 150 km long. Because the southern flank of Ste-Victoire is very steep, the villages there are difficult to walk. They are old traditional Provencal villages, which are worth visiting. The tour therefore promises many narrow, winding and steep roads on the foothills of the mountain range.

This route gets five stars because the combination of views, variety in the landscape, adventurous roads and the atmosphere of the villages leave an unforgettable impression.

Particulars.
The route includes several options to extend the route, such as a walk to the Croix de Provence, the Bidéimus quarry, a visit to a real car circuit, a trip on the vélorail on the Pourcieux-Ste Maximin route and a visit to Aix.
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Duration
6h 40m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
141.85 km
Countries
Montagne Sainte Victoire
RouteXpert Review
The Montagne Sainte-Victoire is a huge limestone massif, near the town of Aix-en-Provence. This mountain stretches over 18 kilometres and has its highest peak at 1011 metres. The mountain got its name from Marius' victory over the Teutons at the Battle of Aquae Sextiae (102 BC). The mountain range is very popular with hikers, mountain climbers and nature lovers. If you are staying in the region for a while, it is definitely worth taking a day for it. Painter Paul Cézanne, born in Aix-en-Provence, came here regularly. He painted the landscape again and again, each time from a different position and in different light. Anyone who stands at the foot of the mountain will understand why the Sainte-Victoire is so impressive. The mountain is also a source of inspiration for the cubists and the fauvists, among others.
The Mont Ste.-Victoire tour starts and ends in Aix-en-Provence and is approximately 150 km long.

Anyone visiting the fountain city of Aix-en-Provence in July and August should listen carefully. This is when the international music festival takes place, one of the largest open-air festivals in Europe (in the courtyard of the archbishop's palace). The old capital of Provence exudes the atmosphere of 17th and 18th century France. It is a fantastic city to wander around, full of squares, water features and tree-lined avenues. The spacious Cours Mirabeau in particular has become the central axis of Aix. Yet there is also an atmosphere of nostalgia, of bygone glory. Because in the 19th century Aix could no longer compete with the rapidly developing Marseille. Aix also has a lot to offer tourists behind the walls of its houses. The tapestry museum displays works from Beauvais. A triptych by Nicolas Froment hangs in the St.-Sauveur cathedral and more paintings can be found in the Musee Granet. The painter Paul Cezanne is endowed with his own gallery, in which no fewer than eight oil paintings and two watercolours hang, including 'Naked woman before a mirror' (1872) and 'The bathers' (1895). Just outside the centre (north) on Avenue Paul Cezanne (no. 9) is the Atelier Paul Cezanne. Here the painter broke with the then strong tradition of impressionism. The studio still looks the same as it did at the time of Cezanne's death (1906).

From Aix, take the D10 and via a side road past Saint Marc Jaumegarde you reach the double dam of Bimont at the foot of the mountain. The reservoir behind the dam is fed by the small river Infernet and an underground branch of the Canal du Verdon. This is one of the many (mostly underground) waterways that bring water from the Durance to the dry parts of Provence. Downstream you can descend along a magnificent gorge, even climb the Ste Vicoire or visit the Carrières de Bidémus, a large quarry with much input from Cézanne.

You return to the D10 and then turn right. After about 4 km you stop at a parking lot in the hamlet of Les Cabassols if you want to climb the Montagne Ste Victoire. Count on 3.5 hours there and back. There are several possible walks, the most popular of which leads to the Croix de Provence, a monument at 946 meters with a breathtaking view (and a very nice place to picnic!). For those who are not adventurous enough, it is also possible to go mountain biking, paragliding or to climb part of the mountain.

The next town you visit, Vauvenargues, is home to a 17th-century castle on a rocky outcrop. The artist Pablo Picasso often retreated there. He painted his 'Dejeuner sur l'Herbe' here in 1960. His grave can be found in the park in front of the castle. Just after Vauvenargues, follow the D11 through a beautiful gorge valley. Here you can admire the Grand Sambuc car circuit. You drive via the D61 to Rians for a coffee stop, from there through a wine-growing area via Pourrières to Pourcieux.

At the station starts a cycle path from Pourcieux to Saint-Maximin over a distance of about 15 km (there and back), It is a nice way to explore the beautiful countryside around the village.

It is time for lunch. In St Maximin there is a lot of choice here. The low piece of land where St.-Maximin lies, used to be the bottom of a lake. The village is situated in the middle of wooded hills and vineyards, not far from the rugged mountain massif of Ste.-Baume. Tourists travel to the place of pilgrimage for the basilica, a rather austere complex that is, however, the most important example of the Gothic style in Provence. In the basilica you will find a beautiful, gilded statue of John the Baptist, a 15th-century altarpiece and many more church treasures. The most valuable is the 16th-century altarpiece, surrounded by 18 medallions. To the side are the cloister and the chapter house.

You now take the road to Saint-Zacharie, known as the village of 16 fountains. You will indeed find in its streets and squares very beautiful old monuments such as the fountains of the Lion d'Or, Place Dréo, Cours Marceau, avenue Frédéric Mistral or the place de l'Eglise.

You now continue the very winding road via Trets to just below the Mont Ste Victoire. After the effort you can decide to have a cup of coffee in Puyloubier, a Provencal village glued to the mountainside. You continue along the steep southern slopes of the Ste Victoire planted with vineyards until you approach the city of Aix. You drive to your end point via the southern access roads.
Sainte victoire by Paul Cezanne
basilico Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
Links
Aix and Ste Victoire
Saint-Maximin Basilica
Cezanne in the Provence
Circuit Grand Sambuc
Vélorail Pourcieux - St Maximin
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.

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Provence Alpes Cote d Azur
About this region
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (French pronunciation: ​[pʁɔvɑ̃s‿alp kot d‿azyʁ]; Occitan: Provença-Aups-Còsta d'Azur, [pɾuˈvɛnso̞ ˈawps ˈkɔsto̞ daˈzyɾ], or Provença-Alps-Còsta d'Azur, [pɾuˈvɛnso̞ ˈalps ˈkɔsto̞ daˈzyɾ]; commonly shortened to PACA; English: Provence-Alps-French Riviera; also known as Région Sud) is one of the eighteen administrative regions of France, the far southeastern on the mainland. Its prefecture and largest city is Marseille. The region is roughly coterminous with the former French province of Provence, with the addition of the following adjacent areas: the former papal territory of Avignon, known as Comtat Venaissin; the former Sardinian-Piedmontese County of Nice, whose coastline is known in English as the French Riviera and in French as the Côte d'Azur; and the southeastern part of the former French province of Dauphiné, in the French Alps. Previously known by the acronym PACA, the region adopted the name Région Sud as a commercial name or nickname in December 2017. 5,007,977 people live in the region according to the 2015 census.
It encompasses six departments in Southeastern France: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhône, Hautes-Alpes, Var and Vaucluse. It is bounded to the east by the France–Italy border, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea and by the Principality of Monaco, to the north by Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and to the west by Occitanie, with the Rhône marking its westernmost border. The region logotype displays the coat of arms created in the 1990s and which combines the coats of arms of the old provinces making up Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The region's economy is the third largest in France, just behind Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Its GDP in 2012 was €142.4 billion (US$183.1 billion) while its per capita GDP was €28,861 ($US 37,121).
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Route Collections in this region
The 24 Most Beautiful Alpine Routes
The Alps, The Alps are a mountain range in Europe, stretching from the French Mediterranean coast in the southwest to the Pannonian Plain in the east. The area of the mountain range is more than 200,000 km².

In other words Passes and Mountain Roads!

Driving through the mountains is great! Especially over the mountain passes with hairpin bends and narrow winding roads. Every bend a different view where you can enjoy. There are many beautiful mountain passes in the Alps.

A selection that has also been incorporated into these routes:
The Stlevio Pass:
The Stelvio Pass, also known as Passo dello Stelvio, is mainly known for the stage in the Giro d'Italia. Due to the length and the difference in height, this pass is seen as one of the toughest tests in cycling. The Stelvio Pass reaches a maximum height of 2758 meters and is therefore one of the highest in the Alps. The pass connects the towns of Bormio and Prato Allo Stelvio. In winter the pass is closed due to heavy snowfall.

The Reschenpass:
The Reschenpass, also known as Passo di Resia, connects the Austrian state of Tyrol with the Italian province of South Tyrol. The pass reaches a maximum height of 1,504 meters and has been one of the most important north-south connections in the Alps in recent centuries. The pass was used long before Roman times. Along the way you will pass several highlights and historical relics. One of the highlights is the Reschensee. This lake was created after the construction of the dam and has completely submerged the village of Graun. The only thing that reminds of that is the clock tower in the middle of the lake.

Col du Galibier:
The French mountain pass Col du Galibier connects the towns of Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne and Briançon via the Col du Lautaret in the south and the Col du Télégraphe in the north. The mountain pass is part of the Tour de France and very much feared, due to the fact that it can only be reached via the other two mountain passes. The pass reaches a maximum height of 2646 meters. From there you can take a walk to the viewpoint at 2704 meters. You can admire the peaks of the Grand Galibier, Mont Blanc and La Meije here.

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road:
With a height of 3798 meters the Grossglockner is the highest mountain in Austria. To fully enjoy this impressive mountain, you can drive over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and the accompanying pass. The route starts from Bruck am Grossglockner and ends in Heiligenblut. Of course you can drive in two directions. The pass reaches a maximum height of 2504 meters and is closed in winter due to heavy snowfall. Along the way you pass several stops with fun activities, information points, mountain huts and viewpoints. A visit to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe and Pasterzen Glacier is highly recommended.

The Col d'Izoard:
Just like the Col du Galibier, the Col d'Izoard is also part of a stage of the Tour de France. The mountain pass connects Briançon with the valley of the river Guil. The pass is partly located in the Regional Natural Park du Queyras and reaches a maximum height of 2360 meters. What is special about the Col d'Izoard is the barren and rocky landscape. Sometimes it feels like driving a car over the moon! Along the way you can stop at several points to enjoy the beautiful view.

The Bernina Pass:
The Bernina Express is one of the most famous rail trains in Switzerland and the Alps. The route is beautiful and partly included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Parallel to the railway lies the Bernina pass, which connects the Veltlin valley with the Egandin valley. This beautiful Alpine road has a total length of 56 kilometers and reaches a maximum height of 2328 meters. Along the way you can enjoy views of the Morteratsch Glacier.

The Sella Pass:
The Sella Pass, also known as Passo di Sella, takes you over one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Dolomites: the Sella massif. The pass connects Valle di Fassa with Val Gardena and reaches a maximum height of 2236 meters. At this height is also the border of the Italian provinces of Trentino and Bolzano. Along the way you can enjoy the view of this spectacular mountain world. Admire, for example, the three peaks of the Sasso Lungo massif, the Sella massif or the peaks of the Marmolada. You can also drive the Sella pass in combination with the Gardena pass, Pordoi pass and Campolongo pass.

The Grimsel Pass:
The Grimsel Pass connects Goms in Wallis with the Halis Valley in the Bernese Oberland. The pass reaches a maximum elevation of 2165 meters and is closed in winter due to snowfall. Over the centuries, the mountain pass has played an important role in trade between Switzerland and Italy. Now it is mainly the reservoirs that have an important function. These are used to generate electricity. The landscape you drive through is rugged, rocky and impressive. On top of the pass is a hotel and a restaurant with a special marmot park. The Dodensee (Totensee) is also located here. This lake owes its name to the many soldiers who died in the time of Napoleon.

The Gotthard Pass:
The Gotthard Pass, also known as Passo del San Gottardo and Saint Gotthard, connects the Swiss towns of Airolo and Andermatt. The mountain pass and associated tunnel are especially known among holidaymakers driving from Switzerland to Italy. But where the majority opt for the tunnel, it is precisely the pass that really completes the holiday. The Gotthard Pass has a length of about 26 kilometers and reaches a maximum height of 2106 meters. The route is beautiful and takes you along old villages and beautiful views.

The Silvretta High Alpine Road and Silvretta Pass:
The Paznaun Valley in Tyrol and the Montafon in Vorarlberg are connected by the Silvretta High Alpine Road. The route has a length of 22.3 kilometers and leads from Galtür to Partenen in 34 hairpin bends, via the 2032 meter high Bielerhöhe. The Silvrettasee is also located at this point, where you can enjoy a lovely walk. The pass is closed in winter due to snowfall.

The Simplon Pass:
Just like the Gotthard Pass, many holidaymakers also travel over the Simplon Pass every year. This mountain pass connects the Rhone Valley in the canton of Valais with the Valle d'Ossola in Piemonte. The pass is open all year round and reaches a maximum height of 2005 meters. Along the way you pass a number of buildings, including the well-known Simplon Hospiz from 1825. The hospiz is managed by the monks of St. Bernard. From the highest point on the pass, all kinds of hiking routes are possible and you will also come across a hotel where you can spend the night.

The Gerlos Pass:
The Gerlos Pass connects the Salzach Valley in the Salzburgerland with the Zillertal Valley in Tyrol. The pass is part of the Gerlos Alpenstraße and runs right through the Hohe Tauern National Park. Along the way you can enjoy beautiful views of the surroundings. The pass has a length of 12 kilometers and reaches a maximum height of 1531 meters. A ride over the Gerlos Pass can be ideally combined with a visit to the Krimmler Wasserfälle.

The Great St. Bernard Pass:
The Great St. Bernard Pass, better known as Col du Grand Saint Bernard, connects the Italian province of Valle d'Aosta with the Swiss canton of Valais. The pass is one of the highest in Switzerland and reaches a maximum height of 2469 meters. Like a number of other mountain passes in this list, the Great St. Bernard Pass has also been used as a connecting road for centuries. The pass is named after the St. Bernard dogs that used to help stranded travelers along with the monks. The pass is closed in winter.

The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road:
The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road connects the towns of Sölden in the Ötztal and Meran in South Tyrol. Tolls must be paid on the Hochgurgl - Moos route. Via a mountain road with about 60 hairpin bends you drive through a beautiful mountain world. With the Timmelsjoch Experience you can learn more about the history, the road and the environment via various stations. You can also visit the Top Mountain Crosspoint museum.

Col de l'Iseran:
With a maximum pass height of 2770 meters, the Col l'Iséran is one of the highest mountain passes in the Alps. The pass connects Bourg-Saint-Maurice with Bonneval-sur-Arc. Via a road full of hairpin bends you pass, among other things, Val-d'Isère and a side valley of the Maurienne that lies entirely in the National Park de la Vanoise. You can spot animals such as marmots and chamois and there is also a restaurant with a chapel on top of the pass.

The Gavia Pass:
The Gavia Pass (Italian Passo di Gavia) is a mountain pass in the Italian Alps, in the Lombardy region.
It is one of the highest pass roads in Europe. The road leads through the unspoilt Stelvio National Park. The road was built in the First World War to supply Italian soldiers who fought in the Italian-Austrian border area. The pass height is one of the most beautiful in the Alps. Here is the large Lago Bianco with, to the north, the mountain San Matteo (3684 meters). Lago Nero is slightly lower on the south side of the pass. Here the mountain group of the Adamello determines the view. There are many well-marked walks in the area. During the winter the pass is closed due to the heavy snowfall. The pass is often closed until May and June due to the large amount of snow.


Promoter has made a selection of the 24 Most Beautiful Alpine routes that they have set out in recent years.

The routes go through:
France
Austria
Switzerland
Italy

The most beautiful roads, the most beautiful views, the most beautiful viewpoints. The highest mountains, the fastest descents, hairpin bend after hairpin bend, you name it you can't get enough of it.

If you go on holiday in this region, take advantage of it, ALL routes in this collection have been checked and made equal for TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation by a MyRoute-app RouteXpert.

Have fun with this collection and while driving one of these routes. Enjoy all the beauty that the Alps and the Dolomites have to offer. Click on “View route” to read the review of the chosen route.

I would like to hear your findings about the route(s).



View Route Collection
24 Routes
8059.29 km
171h 24m
25 Magnificent trails in France
This MRA route collection contains 25 beautiful motorcycle routes in different parts of France, such as the Ardennes, the Alsace, Vercors, the Drôme, the Ardèche, Cote d'Azure, Gorges du Verdon, the Ariège, the Dordogne and Brittany.

The routes have been carefully created by Bert Loorbach, who is an enthusiastic motorcyclist himself. He lived in France for a year and a half, during which time he devoted himself to mapping the unknown and beautiful back roads of France especially for motorcyclists.

The routes are bundled in the Motortourgids France part 1 of Kosmos publishing house and now also available in MyRouteApp.

I have taken over the routes in MRA and sometimes adjusted them slightly to make them even more interesting for the motorcyclist.

View Route Collection
25 Routes
4106.1 km
106h 0m
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