Sainte-Victoire

The history of Sainte-Victoire

The Sainte-Victoire mountain is a limestone massif located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, to the east of Aix-en-Provence, rising to 1,011 metres at the Pic des Mouches. This massif, which extends for 18 km, is a haven for Mediterranean wildlife and flora. The pale colour of its cliffs is due to the limestone nature of the bedrock.

Now world-famous thanks to the celebrated painter Paul Cézanne, who immortalised it in over 80 canvases, it also welcomes many hikers, climbers and nature lovers. It is a symbol of the Aix landscape.

What to do and see at Sainte-Victoire

Recognised as a Grand Site de France since 2004, the Sainte-Victoire mountain is a gem of French natural heritage that must be preserved. The massif spreads across a network of paths covering around 250 km, on which it is possible to set off in complete self-sufficiency over several days, staying in mountain huts or group gîtes. During periods of open access, it is possible to go not only hiking, but also mountain biking, trail running, climbing or even paragliding. The Sainte-Victoire mountain has been a climbing site for nearly a century.

When the massif is open to the public, it is possible to enjoy the many activities mentioned above. Following the 1995 fire, access to Sainte-Victoire is now strictly regulated during the summer. Indeed, today it is only possible to access it outside the summer period. As a family, you can have a picnic in the shade of the pines to the sound of cicadas before reaching the summit to admire a splendid view over the Arc valley.

If arriving by car from Aix-en-Provence, drive 7km along the D10 towards Vauvenargues, then turn right onto the D10 towards the Bimont dam. Finally, continue to the "Barrage du Bimont" car park.

Living around Sainte-Victoire

At the foot of Sainte-Victoire, in the beautiful Aix countryside, small villages are true havens of peace, such as Le Tholonet, Puyricard and Eguilles, for example. The area is a pleasant place to live, close to motorway exits, the Aix-en-Provence TGV station and Marignane airport.

Le Tholonet, a small village just a stone's throw from Aix-en-Provence, in the Haute Vallée de l'Arc, was one of Cézanne's favourite spots. Indeed, the red earth, grey rock and azure-blue sky against which the Sainte-Victoire massif stands out offer a beautiful palette of colours.

The small village of Puyricard lies within a vast rural setting and boasts several notable buildings, such as châteaux and religious monuments. It offers its residents a majestic view of Sainte-Victoire.

Eguilles, an old hillside village perched at 300 m altitude and close to Aix-en-Provence and its amenities, has preserved its authentic character over time and offers an incomparable view over the surrounding countryside as well as the Sainte-Victoire massif.

Prestige residences and Sainte-Victoire

Between its limestone cliffs, dense vegetation, winding roads and untamed landscapes, Sainte-Victoire has a great deal to offer. Numerous prestige properties are found around Sainte-Victoire and offer extraordinary views.

These may take the form of a restored farmhouse, a traditional southern French house, or a splendid villa with high-end amenities, all offering a superb view of the mountain. The price for a prestige property with an unobstructed view of Sainte-Victoire can reach €7,000 per m².

Are you considering the purchase of a property around Aix-en-Provence with a view of Sainte-Victoire and would like to benefit from our expertise? Visit us at our BARNES Aix-en-Provence agency for further advice and to bring your property project to fruition!