Croix de la Provence

To the south of Vauvenargues towers the Montagne Ste-Victoire ridge, made famous by Paul Cézanne. From the little hamlet of Les Cabassols to the west a road - part of the GR9 walking trail - leads to Croix de la Provence (945m/3,100ft). The climb - about 5km/3mi and taking about 1.5 hours - is mainly over gravel and rocky ground; sure-footedness, stout shoes and a good standard of fitness are essential. The superb panoramic view - on a clear day - from the Camargue in the west across the Maures massif as far as the Alps in the south make the effort so worthwhile. The masses of flowers among the rocks are also most impressive.