Sainte-Baume Massif

The Sainte-Baume massif is a popular destination for sports enthusiasts. Here, the varied terrain offers a range of hiking and trail running routes to suit all abilities. Set amongst dense forests and rocky peaks, the area caters to all tastes: there’s something to delight families looking for a Sunday stroll just as much as trail runners seeking a thrill.

Hiking

Explore the Sainte-Baume massif via its dozens of signposted trails and enjoy a wide range of hiking routes.

In the Pays d’Aubagne region, three towns lie in the shadow of Sainte-Baume: Saint-Zacharie, Auriol and Cuges-les-Pins. From these villages, numerous walking routes provide access to the massif.

Trail running

The Sainte-Baume massif is a trail runner’s paradise. From trails winding beneath beech trees to the airy ridges and rolling hills, this protected natural setting has everything to delight you! Whether you prefer a challenge or a leisurely outing with friends, the massif’s trails adapt to your pace. The forests on the northern slope offer welcome coolness in summer, whilst the ridges and slopes on the southern side reveal a varied landscape.

The Trail de la Sainte-Baume: the massif’s premier sporting event

Every year in February–March, the massif comes alive with the Trail de la Sainte-Baume (TSB), one of the most eagerly anticipated trail running events in Provence. Organised for many years now, starting from Cuges-les-Pins, this event attracts over 2,000 runners over the course of a weekend.

The programme covers all distances: from the Skybaume (15 km, for beginners) to the Ultra Baume (100 km, 5,500 m of elevation gain, for seasoned athletes), via the Grande Baume (53 km), the Boucle Cugeoise (26.5 km) and the Manon des Sources (17 km). They even organise a trail run for the very youngest,‘Le Trail des Minots’(ranging from 1.2 to 3.2 km), which gives children their first taste of running. The TBS is also made up of people committed to promoting a passion for trail running across the region, all in a great atmosphere.

The Cave of Saint Mary Magdalene

Beyond its remarkable landscapes, the Sainte-Baume massif has been a place of spiritual significance in Provence for centuries. Its sacred status dates back to Antiquity, when the Ligurians, Greeks and Romans already regarded this mountain as a site associated with the gods of fertility. Over time, Sainte-Baume has become one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in France, and even today, numerous reminders of this spiritual history can be found throughout the massif: the famous Chemin des Roys, its oratories, the Chapelle des Parisiens, the Chapelle du Saint-Pilon and the Hostellerie run by the Dominican friars.

An unmissable place of pilgrimage

Since the 11th century, Sainte-Baume has welcomed generations of pilgrims who have come to walk in the footsteps of Mary Magdalene. Among them were many kings of France, including Saint Louis, François I and Louis XIV, as well as several popes and countless visitors who came here seeking a moment of inner peace.

The pilgrimage traditionally follows the Chemin des Roys, a historic path first laid out in the 14th century. Along the route, seven wayside shrines recount the major episodes in the life of Mary Magdalene and guide walkers to the grotto. Today, this route retains its full spiritual significance and invites everyone, whether a believer or not, to enjoy an experience blending heritage, history, nature and contemplation.

A sanctuary steeped in history

At the heart of the cliff, nestled in an exceptional natural setting, lies the cave of Saint Mary Magdalene, also known as ‘la Baume’. According to Christian tradition, Mary Magdalene is said to have lived there in seclusion for many years after her arrival in Provence, devoting her life to contemplation and prayer.

Accessible only on foot after a 45-minute walk through the forest, the Sainte-Baume sanctuary exudes a unique atmosphere where silence, serenity and discovery reign. Since the early centuries of Christianity, the cave has been the object of deep veneration. Listed as a Historic Monument since 2025, it now houses some of the saint’s relics and remains a major place of contemplation.

Designated a Regional Nature Park since 2017, the Sainte-Baume massif is one of Provence’s great unspoilt natural areas. With its limestone cliffs, valleys, plateaus, forests and remarkable sites, it offers a wide variety of landscapes that make up its rich heritage. Its natural, historical and cultural heritage has also earned it European recognition through the Natura 2000 network, which protects nearly 17,000 hectares across two sites: the “Sainte-Baume Massif” and “Western Sainte-Baume”.

A unique forest in the heart of Provence

A true ecological treasure, the Sainte-Baume Forest is home to the southernmost beech forest in Provence. Situated at the foot of the imposing cliff, this beech forest is a legacy of the ice ages that has been able to survive thanks to a particularly humid and cool microclimate.

Within this remarkable and unspoilt environment, exceptional biodiversity thrives: birds, bats, protected insects and numerous plant species find refuge here. With its yew woods, caves and steppe-like grasslands, Sainte-Baume is now recognised as one of the key biodiversity hotspots in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

Les Encanaux

Among the massif’s most iconic natural sites, the Encanaux valley charms visitors with its peaceful and unspoilt atmosphere. This is where the Vède has its source – a tributary of the Huveaune whose springs, situated in the commune of Auriol, allow visitors to enjoy a pleasant stroll along the river. The site is also home to an old ice house, a testament to the local heritage and expertise associated with ice production, with the oldest ice well dating back to the 17th century. The Encanaux, Infernets and Coutronne trails wind through unspoilt countryside dominated by high limestone cliffs. Along the way, the Figuier shelter and the Infernets cave invite you to stop and explore.