Your Walks: Nature & Activities

A bountiful nature at your fingertips

Nestled between the Provençal mountains, spectacular gorges, and Mediterranean coves, the region around Bastide Cedrea offers an exceptional playground. Here is a selection of outdoor activities and remarkable sites, organized by destination, for all levels.

Sainte-Victoire Mountain — 20 minutes away

Ascent of the Croix de Provence — 20 min — Plan d'En Chois or Vauvenargues parking lot

The iconic ascent of the massif, immortalized by more than 80 canvases by Cézanne. Two main routes: the classic route starting from Plan d'En Chois (5.8 km, 644 m elevation gain, 3h30 to 4h round trip) or the Venturiers route from Vauvenargues, gentler (543 m elevation gain, about 4h).

Difficulty: moderate to difficult depending on the route

Access by bus from Aix-en-Provence (lines 110 and 140)

Access is restricted from June 1st to September 30th depending on the fire risk — check before you leave

Booking / information: https://www.grandsitesaintevictoire.com

Pic des Mouches — 25 min — Bouches-du-Rhône

The summit of the massif (1,011 m), for experienced hikers. 360° panorama stretching from the Mediterranean and the Étang de Berre to Mont Ventoux and the Southern Alps on a clear day.

Difficulty level: challenging, 694 m elevation gain

Bimont Dam and Lake — 20 min — Bouches-du-Rhône

A more accessible family walk (approximately 6 km), at the foot of the mountain, up to this 87.5-meter-high dam built to collect the waters of the Verdon. Superb view of the massif.

Level: easy

Departures from Beaurecueil or the Aurigon car park

Calanques of Cassis — 50 minutes away

The Calanques National Park stretches along approximately 20 kilometers of coastline between Marseille and Cassis, encompassing 26 calanques with turquoise waters. There are several ways to explore them: on foot, by kayak, or by boat.

Hiking trail Port-Miou — Port-Pin — En-Vau — 50 min — Cassis, Bouches-du-Rhône

The classic route linking the three most emblematic calanques. En-Vau, with its vertiginous cliffs and its famous "finger of God", is the jewel of the route.

Regulated access in summer (the "Envie de Balade" system, green to red depending on the fire risk)

Recommended parking: Les Gorguettes, with shuttle to the peninsula

Booking / information: https://www.calanques-parcnational.fr

Sea kayaking excursion in the Calanques — 50 min — departure from Grande Mer beach, Cassis

A guided 3-4 hour trip close to the water, to explore Port-Miou, Port-Pin and En-Vau from a different angle, including some caves accessible only by sea.

Level: Suitable for ages 12 and up, must be able to swim 25m

Several service providers are on site (CSLN, Lo'Kayak, Destination Calanques)

Booking / information: https://reservation.ot-cassis.com

Boat trip in the Calanques — 50 min — departing from Cassis

To discover the calanques without physical effort, especially on days when land access is restricted due to fire. Swimming stops are possible depending on the package chosen.

Booking / information: https://www.cassis.fr

Verdon Gorge — 1 to 1.5 hours

Europe's largest canyon, a natural border between the Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence departments, boasts 700 meters of cliffs and turquoise waters. A complete playground: hiking, water sports, climbing, via ferrata, paragliding.

Lower Verdon Gorges — canoeing and hiking — 1 hour 5 minutes — between Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

A less frequented section than the Grand Canyon, stretching 8 to 11 km between the lakes of Quinson and Esparron. Ideal for canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding or pedal boating, with a gentle upstream journey from Esparron-de-Verdon, free of rapids.

Suitable for families and beginners

The Canal Keeper's Trail for hiking enthusiasts

Booking / information: https://www.verdontourisme.com

Lake Sainte-Croix and Galetas Bridge — 1h25 — Var / Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

The most iconic spot in the Verdon: stunning turquoise water between two cliffs. Canoe, kayak or pedal boat rentals available on site, with the option to paddle up the gorges for 1 to 2 km.

Sunset canoe trip very popular (June to September)

Nearby: Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a village listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France

Booking / information: https://www.lesgorgesduverdon.fr

Martel Trail & Verdon Grand Canyon — 1h30 — Var / Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

The legendary Verdon trail, between vertiginous cliffs and river, is for experienced hikers. More than 1,500 climbing routes and via ferratas accessible to all levels complete the site's sporting offerings.

Difficulty level: challenging, several hours of walking

Reservations are recommended during peak season for return shuttles.

Booking / information: https://www.lesgorgesduverdon.fr

Canyoning and aquatic hiking — 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on the location

A key activity in the Verdon region during the summer, ranging from family-friendly routes to challenging sporting versions. Supervision by a qualified guide is highly recommended for beginners.

Booking / information: https://www.lesgorgesduverdon.fr

Luberon — hiking and wide open spaces — 1 hour away

Colorado Provençal — 1h10 — Vaucluse, Rustrel

A former ochre mining site offering spectacular landscapes in vibrant hues, comparable to miniature canyons. Two marked trails: the Sahara and the Belvederes.

Booking/information: https://www.destinationluberon.com

Luberon Regional Natural Park — 45 min to 1 hour depending on the area

A vast territory between Vaucluse and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, crossed by the Calavon cycle route (EV8), ideal for cycling, and by numerous hiking trails linking the perched villages.

Booking / information: https://www.parcduluberon.fr

Étang de la Bonde and Combe de Lourmarin — 50 min — Vaucluse

A gentle stroll in the southern Luberon, ideal for families, along the Luberon castle route. Combine it with a gourmet stop in Lourmarin or Ansouis.

Just a stone's throw from the Bastide — Peyrolles-en-Provence

No need to take the car: these two addresses are located directly in Peyrolles-en-Provence, a few minutes from Bastide Cedrea.

Exo13 / TNX Cable Park — Lac de Peyrolles — 5 min — Peyrolles-en-Provence

Wakepark located on Lake Peyrolles, equipped with a 5-pylon cable for wakeboarding, waterskiing, and kneeboarding, as well as a 2-pylon cable ideal for beginners. Instruction provided by certified instructors, snack bar on site with a view of the lake.

Suitable for ages 7 and up

Open from April to October

Private hire available for birthdays and events

Booking / information: https://www.exoloisirs.com/fr/content/exo-13-peyrolles-tnx

Platinum Padel — 5 min — Val de Durance area, Peyrolles-en-Provence

State-of-the-art 5-court padel center, open every day from 9am to 10:30pm. 170m² clubhouse to extend the post-match experience with a drink, friendly atmosphere and coaches available to help you improve.

Book online via the Anybuddy app

Suitable for all levels, from beginner to advanced player

Booking / information: https://www.platinium-padel.fr

To plan your stay

These activities often require prior verification of access conditions: fire risk in summer for mountain ranges (Sainte-Victoire, Calanques), water level in the Verdon River, and weather forecast for water sports. We recommend consulting official websites before each outing.

Our team is available to guide you towards the activities best suited to your level, your group and the length of your stay.

Bastide Cedrea — Peyrolles-en-Provence