Sainte-Baume Massif | Pays d'Aubagne et de l'Étoile

The Regional Nature Park

The Sainte-Baume Regional Nature Park covers some 81,000 hectares and its summit rises to 1148 m, an altitude similar to that of the Grand Luberon and Sainte Victoire.

Its northern slopes are unique in Provence, as they receive a lot of water and are covered with very damp vegetation made up of deciduous trees and boxwood, appreciated for its coolness and shade. The south-facing slopes are gently sloping, bathed in sunshine and covered in arid vegetation, with water seeping into the rock to spring up in the springs in the foothills of the massif and in the fountains in the surrounding villages.

A rich religious heritage

Several religious orders founded abbeys and monasteries around the massif. The cliffs are home to the grotto of Mary Magdalene, a major pilgrimage site. On your way to Santiago de Compostela, you can stop off at the Hostellerie de la Sainte-Baume, where the Dominican friars continue their mission as guardians of this unique site.

The Huveaune

A small coastal river, it rises at Nans-les-Pins in the Sainte-Baume massif and flows into the Mediterranean Sea at Marseille, passing through the Pays d’Aubagne et de l’Étoile.

The Huveaune is 48.4km long and drains a catchment area of 198km, covering part of the Sainte-Baume, the Étoile mountain range, the Saint-Cyr massif and the Marseilles basin.

Its tributaries include the Peyruis(Saint-Zacharie), the Vede and Merlançon(Auriol), the Fauge (Gémenos) and the Jarret (Marseille).

To discover: the Huveaune fairy trail

Les Encanaux

The Encanaux spring

This remarkable site in the commune ofAuriol is the starting point for hiking routes to the Sainte-Baume massif.
It offers visitors a pleasant walk along the river to its source. The site is equipped with picnic tables and a fitness trail.

The Encanaux ice house

Ice-making on the Sainte-Baume massif developed from the 17th century onwards and continued until the dawn of the 20th century. The Sainte-Baume massif was home to around twenty ice houses, supplying an area stretching from Marseille to Toulon. The Glacière des Encanaux is a reminder of this bygone era. This former ice pit was built in the 17th century.

The Grotte des Charbonniers

Accessible from Les Encanaux, the Infernets cave, also known as the “Grotte des Charbonniers”, is around 120 metres deep and was discovered in 1895. Vestiges dating back to the Neolithic period have been found here (axes, scrapers, etc.), attesting to prehistoric human occupation.

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.

Access to the mountains

Fire prevention

From 1 June to 30 September, access to forest areas is regulated by prefectoral decree and may also be regulated by municipal decree.
Make sure you are well informed during this period before visiting natural areas.

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Nature in the Pays d'Aubagne