The bay of La Ciotat and the Sainte-Baume

This itinerary approaches the blue colors of the maritime landscapes and the wild and rural universe of the departmental domains and massifs! Starting from Aubagne, the route goes along forests, rocky escarpments ("Baou" in Provencal) and valleys to plunge into the blue of the bay of La Ciotat and the cliffs of Cassis. Beyond Ceyreste, the wooded hills give way to the Fontblanche forest, populated by Aleppo pines and arbutus trees. Gémenos, its castle and its outbuildings are a stopover on the road to Saint-Pons, a magnificent park with rare species and a remarkable Cistercian abbey. The winding road leads to the Col de l'Espigoulier and gives a view of the Pic de Bertagne, the highest point of the department and the flagship summit of the Sainte-Baume massif. Further on, Auriol as well as Aubagne return to the Provençal countryside, with its agricultural crops and terraces.

From the Aubagne Tourist Office, take the Avenue Loulou Delfieu and follow the direction "ZI des Paluds" until the crossroads with the RD559a and turn right towards the A502. Continue to the next traffic circle and continue on the RD559a towards La Ciotat.
Go through the village of Roquefort-la-Bédoule and continue on the RD559a towards La Ciotat until the traffic circle.
Turn left on the RD559 towards La Ciotat.
At the entrance of La Ciotat, at the first roundabout, continue in front on the same road. Then, at the second traffic circle with the RD40a, turn left towards Ceyreste.
Continue on the RD3 still in the direction of Ceyreste, cross the village and continue until the place called "Le grand Caunet".
At the crossroads with the RD3d turn left towards Cuges-les-Pins and continue on the RD1 to the right until the Col de l'Ange.
At the crossroads with the RD8n, turn left towards Gemenos.
At the next intersection, turn right onto the RD396.
Cross the village of Gemenos and head towards the Saint-Pons valley. Continue on the RD2 and cross the Col de l'Espigoulier, the highest point of the department.

At the crossroads with the RD45a turn left towards Auriol, cross the Rd560 then the RD45 and continue on the RD45a towards La Bouilladisse.
At the crossroads with the RD45b turn left towards Plan de Redon.
At the crossroads with the RD560 turn left, cross the village of Auriol then turn right on the RD45, pass in front of the town hall and continue until Roquevaire.
In Roquevaire, you will turn left at the crossroads with the RD96.
Cross Roquevaire for 1km then turn left on the RD43d towards Saint-Jean-de-Garguier and continue to Aubagne.

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