The Sainte-Baume Regional Park: a jewel of nature and spirituality
On the border of the Var and Bouches-du-Rhône, the Sainte-Baume reveals its treasures to hikers in search of wild nature or of spirituality. This Regional Natural Park, with its 81,000 hectares of breathtaking landscapes, including dense forests, sunny scrubland, limestone cliffs and majestic mountains, promises a total immersion in nature.
A protected and diverse ecosystem
The Sainte-Baume Regional Natural Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity. It is home to unique Provençal fauna and flora, with more than 200 species of birds, mammals such as foxes and bats – and flora that varies according to altitude and soil type. One of the jewels of Sainte-Baume is the ‘relique’ forest, a true vestige of the ice age, which covers the slopes of the mountain massif. This humid forest, rare in this region, is a sanctuary for many plant species, including the beech tree, which thrives at an unusually low altitude.
Visitors who care about the environment will appreciate the park’s commitment to preserving its ecosystems. Hiking trails guide visitors to discover the park’s natural treasures while limiting the human impact on local biodiversity. Specialised guides also offer excursions to learn more about the ecological specificities of the massif.
The Mary Magdelene’s Cave: a place of pilgrimage and meditation
Sainte-Baume is not only a place of natural beauty, but also a centre of spirituality. According to Christian tradition, Mary Magdalene spent the last years of her life living in a cave in the massif, now known as the Grotte de Sainte Marie-Madeleine. This cave has become an important pilgrimage site, attracting thousands of faithful and curious people each year. It can be reached after a 45-minute hike through a sacred forest. The path, marked by chapels and oratories, offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape.
The atmosphere that reigns in this hallowed place is marked by serenity. Whether you are a believer or simply in search of something, the Grotte de Marie-Madeleine is a place where you can meditate and reconnect with yourself. Religious services are held in the cave there regularly, and the spot remains accessible to visitors outside of times of worship.
Activities for everyone
The Sainte-Baume Regional Park offers a multitude of activities to satisfy all types of visitors. For hiking enthusiasts, the Sainte-Baume mountain massif offers a network of walking trails suitable for all levels, from family walks to more technical routes for experienced hikers. The Chemin des Roys, which leads to the summit of the massif, is one of the most popular trails, offering a breathtaking panorama of the mountains and, on a clear day, the Mediterranean Sea.
Climbing enthusiasts are catered for too: the steep limestone cliffs are an ideal playground for climbers, with routes of different difficulty levels. The Cuges-les-Pins site is particularly renowned for its spectacular climbing walls.
In winter, although the massif is not often snow-covered, some weatherbeaten years can offer snowshoeing enthusiasts the opportunity to discover the landscape under its white snowy blanket – truly a unique experience in Provence.
For families, many educational activities are available throughout the year. Workshops and guided tours allow you to learn more about the fauna, flora, but also about the cultural and historical heritage of the region. The park regularly organises events around the discovery of the starry sky, making Sainte-Baume an ideal place for astronomical observation, far from the light pollution of big cities.
A historical and cultural heritage to explore
In addition to its natural and spiritual appeal, Sainte-Baume has a rich historical heritage. The surrounding villages, such as Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, Auriol or Evenos, offer a dive into Provençal history, with their churches, chapels and picturesque alleys.
Otherwise, the local markets will allow you to taste the culinary specialties of the region, such as tapenade, olive oil or Provençal wines. Don’t miss out on tasting the local products that reflect the true Provençal character.
Practical information
The Sainte-Baume Regional Park is easily accessible from Cotignac. Take the D13 towards Brignoles, then follow the signs to Sainte-Baume via the D1 and the D95. This road passes through charming Provençal villages and offers you a glimpse of the Var landscape before arriving at the park.
Several car parks are available at the starting points of the hikes, notably in Plan-d’Aups-Sainte-Baume, a village located at the foot of the massif (50 minutes from Cotignac). From there, you can easily access the main walking trails and other attractions of the park.
