Tour 4 : The paths of History : Castles, Chapels, Shrines

Leave Aix by the RN8 towards Marseille, then Bouc-Bel-Air

Bouc-Bel-Air

Bouc-Bel-Air St-André parish church in Romanesque style. Its gate was listed in 1930.

• La Salle House
• Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-l’Espérance: 12th century. Start of walking tour
• Chapel of St-Anne: probably the oldest in the village
• Albertas Gardens: 18th century, inspired by Lenôtre, decorated with fountains and statues.
• Castle in town centre, open only for exhibitions.

Then take the D60A towards Cabriès

Cabriès-Calas

• Edgar Mélik Castle Museum: mediaeval ruins, 18th-century façade, French-style ceilings, 17th-century chapel.
• Chapel of Notre-Dame de la Salette: this is the oldest monument in the town. It stands on Trébillane Hill and overlooks the entire hamlet of Calas. It dates from the 5th century.
• Cabriès church: a 12th-century Romanesque treasure, housing outstanding works of art (altar-piece, triptych, statues).
• Château de Trébillane: a 12th-century Provençal country house, now the Cultural Associations Centre.
Guided tours by appointment: 04 42 69 05 48.

Take the D6 towards Gardannes and then Simiane-Collongue.

Simiane-Collongue

• Town Hall: Built in 1773, it was the «Country House» of the Marquis of Simiane. It was bought by the Town and converted into the Town Hall in 1985.
• Cours des Héros: A fountain was built in the 19th century on the Cours, which formed part of the lord’s parkland.
• The Church of Saint-Pierre was built in the 18th century, below the Castrum, and lower down than the former church to which it was linked by a street called La Montée de l’Horloge. Open for visits by appointment (04.42.22.62.33).
• The Romanesque Chapel of Saint-Germain was built in 1056. (Start of footpath).

Take the D8 towards Mimet.

Mimet

The highest village in the Bouches-du-Rhône. 778 metres at its highest point.

The Church of the Transfiguration (10th century) was rebuilt between the 16th and 17th centuries. It contains two wooden santon figures (St-Joseph and the Virgin Mary), the first known in Provence.

From Col Sainte Anne car park you can go to Notre-Dame des Anges Monastery (18th century) where the Oratorians lived in 1640. An important place of pilgrimage from the 13th century onward. Nine shrines originally marked the pilgrimage path to Notre-Dame des Anges («Paradise» chapel). Six remain.

Take the D46 direction to Gréasque.

Gréasque

The castle was built by the Ollières family in the early 17th century. It was the home of the Marquis of Castellane-Majastre before being acquired by the Bouches-du-Rhône Coal Board. In 1990, it was purchased by the Town and carefully restored. It is now a venue for cultural activities.

In its courtyard is a soothing fountain. Its gardens, cool and peaceful, are used for open-air plays enjoyed by the people of Gréasque throughout the summer.

The church, which adjoins the castle and has been rebuilt several times, is dedicated to St-Jacques le Majeur and contains a surprising collection of fine works of art.

Follow the D46 towards Gardanne.

Gardanne

Chapel of Pénitents (17th century), former chapel of St-Valentin (13th century). It was a place of pilgrimage in the Mediaeval «Castrum».
St-Valentin is still celebrated in Gardanne.

• The Centenary Cross (Croix du Centenaire), erected in 1894 on the Cativel hill, twin of the cross on the Sainte-Victoire Mountain.
• The Avenue d’Aix Cross from 1766, a mission cross of Monseigneur-de-Mazenod, is one of the oldest in the region.

See:
All tours - Tour 1 - Tour 2 - Tour 3 - Tour 4