What activities are available on the Font de Mai estate?

At the Domaine de la Font de Mai, you can enjoy a range of activities: Hike to the Garlaban hills Explore the estate by Nordic walking Explore the interpretation trail Enjoy donkey rides Take part in the “Lili au pied de Garlaban” treasure hunt (on sale at Aubagne Tourist Office) Set off on the mountain bike trails starting from the site Discover the bee trail

When is the Font de Mai estate open?

The Font de Mai estate is open every day from 7am to 7pm . From 1 June to 30 September, please check access to the flowerbeds .

What walks can I do from the Font de Mai estate?

From Font de Mai, there are several walks within easy reach: The Garlaban The Manon cave Angèle’s farm and Aubignane The Garlaban loop and Taoumé The Douart engravings To get there, you can park in the Font de Mai car park or take the free line 14 bus .

Is there a brasserie or refreshment bar at Font de Mai?

Yes, there’s a refreshment bar offering snacks (sandwiches, grilled meats, chips and salads) as well as ice creams and hot and cold drinks . There is no brasserie on site. However, hot meals can be prepared for groups on request and reservation only (24 hours in advance) .

Domaine de la Font de Mai | Pays d'Aubagne et de l'Étoile

Q: How do I get to the Font de Mai estate?

Domaine de la Font de Mai is easily accessible from the centre of Aubagne. You can get there by bus on the free line 14 and by car (parking nearby).

The Font de Mai estate

"A green setting at the foot of the Garlaban massif".

With over one hundred hectares and three centuries of history, the “Font de Mai” in Aubagne offers a real moment of calmin the heart of nature, just a few minutes from the town centre. Situated at the foot of the Garlaban massif, this property is now a privileged starting point for many walks and activities.

The bastide, which is still part of the estate, bears witness to the evolution of the old Provencal farmhouses and still bears witness to traditional farming life at the beginning of the 20th century.

How do I get to the Font de Mai estate?

Line 14 “Pôle d’échanges > Eoures”.
La Gastaude” bus stop: from Monday to Saturday, regular departures from the Aubagne transport hub (bus station).

Follow the sign “Font de Mai, sentiers Marcel Pagnol” to reach the entrance to the estate, a 10-minute walk from the “La Gastaude” bus stop.

Further information on : Agglo bus routes

Car park on the Route d’Eoures (D44), opposite the Clinique Saint Michel | Limited spaces.
Once parked, follow the sign “Font de Mai, sentiers Marcel Pagnol” to reach the entrance to the estate, a 10-minute walk from the car park.

Stop at the Carreirade d’Allauch crossroads.

What can you do at the Font de Mai estate?

At the Domaine de la Font de Mai, there are plenty of opportunities to make the most of nature and the surrounding hills. The site is an ideal place to explore the landscapes so dear to Marcel Pagnol ‘s heart and enjoy outdoor experiences suitable for all ages. On-site activities include

Hike from the estate to the Garlaban hills. What’s on the programme? The Douart engravings, Garlaban, Manon cave, Angèle and Aubignane farm , Garlaban and Taoumé.
Explore the area on Nordic walking with two routes: the Garlaban pass and the “vos bâtons à la font de mai” trail .
Explore the interpretation trail to gain a better understanding of the site’s natural and agricultural heritage.
Enjoy donkey rides, ideal for families.
Take part in a treasure hunt to discover the estate in a fun way (on sale at the Aubagne Tourist Office).
Set off on the mountain bike itineraries available from the site: the Font de Mai off-road, Pichauris via the Font de Mai and from bumps to singles.

Whether you’re a walker, cyclist or simply looking for a walk in the heart of nature, the Font de Mai offers a variety of activities in an unspoilt setting.

Discover our opening times

THE INTERPRETATION TRAIL

An interpretation trail, accessible in around an hour, allows you to discover the landscapes and riches of the Provençal garrigue. Along the way, you can enjoy the scents of thyme and rosemary, observe the fruit trees, theold wheatthreshing floor and the bastide, and reach a high point equipped with an orientation table.

Along the way, you’ll explore several of the site’s most emblematic sites: the silkworm farm, the olive grove, the naturalist’s scrubland, the lookout point and the threshing floor.

Guide to good practice

Access to the site by public transport, bicycle or on foot.

Keep to the marked paths.

Respect flora and fauna: do not pick flowers and plants.
Respect the peace and quiet of residents and neighbours.
Do not contaminate springs or wells.
Do not throw stones.
Do not throw away paper or rubbish, but collect your rubbish carefully.

Keep your dog on a lead.

Do not smoke or light fires.

The donkeys of Font de Mai

Introduce youngsters to the pleasures of walking in the hills with the donkeys on offer at Domaine de la Font de Mai. François will welcome you on site and accompany you as you explore the surrounding area in the company of this gentle and endearing animal.

Hiring a donkey means you can enjoy a family outing with peace of mind, even with young children. You can choose a simple walk accompanied by a donkey or a donkey ride(for children weighing less than 40 kg).

François also offers animal mediation sessions for people with disabilities (PDD, autism, associated disorders), on an individual or group basis, for individuals and specialist establishments, as well as introductory donkey-riding sessions for school groups.

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The bee trail

At the Font de Mai, the association ” La Provence des Abeilles ” works to protect bees and raise awareness of the environment. Throughout the year, it organises discussions and training courses to help people better understand the essential role played by these insects in our ecosystem. On the estate, its president Bernard Cioffi has installed educational beehives to show the public how a beehive works and the importance of preserving bees.

The bee trail, which is animated at certain times of the year, offers an educational walk in the heart of nature, where visitors can discover melliferous plants and beehives. Interactive workshops are also available to help you learn more about the life of bees.

Information and booking

Chez Marcel, the Font de Mai refreshment bar

Sit down to a meal in the heart of the hills, at the Font de Mai refreshment bar. Under the pergola, Marcel welcomes you in a friendly atmosphere and offers simple, quality food, served with a smile.

On the menu: sandwiches, grills, salads, chips, as well as ice creams and hot and cold drinksavailable all day long, to eat in or take away. If you book 24 hours in advance*, Marcel can also prepare a dish for your group. Just ten minutes from the town centre, it’s the ideal place to take a gourmet break and enjoy the exceptional scenery.

*Limited number of places: book 24 hours in advance for groups of 2 to 4 people and 72 hours in advance for groups of more than 6 people.

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FAQ de la Font de Mai

How do I get to the Font de Mai estate?
Domaine de la Font de Mai is easily accessible from the centre of Aubagne. You can get there by bus on the free line 14 and by car (parking nearby).
What activities are available on the Font de Mai estate?
At the Domaine de la Font de Mai, you can enjoy a range of activities:
- Hike to the Garlaban hills
- Explore the estate by Nordic walking
- Explore the interpretation trail
- Enjoy donkey rides
- Take part in the “Lili au pied de Garlaban” treasure hunt (on sale at Aubagne Tourist Office)
- Set off on the mountain bike trails starting from the site
- Discover the bee trail
When is the Font de Mai estate open?
The Font de Mai estate is open every day from 7am to 7pm. From 1 June to 30 September, please check access to the flowerbeds.
What walks can I do from the Font de Mai estate?
From Font de Mai, there are several walks within easy reach:
- The Garlaban
- The Manon cave
- Angèle’s farm and Aubignane
- The Garlaban loop and Taoumé
- The Douart engravings
To get there, you can park in the Font de Mai car park or take the free line 14 bus.
Is there a brasserie or refreshment bar at Font de Mai?
Yes, there’s a refreshment bar offering snacks (sandwiches, grilled meats, chips and salads) as well as ice creams and hot and cold drinks. There is no brasserie on site. However, hot meals can be prepared for groups on request and reservation only (24 hours in advance).

Discover also

Nature in the Pays d'Aubagne