The most beautiful climbing sites in Bouches-du-Rhône

On vacation at the Aubagne campsite, defy the laws of gravity on the most beautiful climbing spots in the area: routes for all levels with breathtaking views to match.

The Calanques

The Calanques site offers a total of over 3,000 climbing routes, ranging from 3a to 9a, and from 10 meters to over 100 meters in height. At the gateway to Marseille, you’ll enjoy a unique sense of freedom, between mineral scenery and ocean views. The immense limestone massif of the Calanques is a climber’s paradise, with thousands of open routes for all levels. It’s also a historic site, where pioneers of the discipline have been trying their hand since the late ^19th century. Each sector includes routes accessible to levels below 6. Experienced climbers will find the most challenging lines in the grotte de l’Ours and the grotte du rocher de Saint-Michel d’Eau Douce.

Mouriès

Head for Mouriès to discover over 200 routes ranging from 3a to 8b, from 20 to 35 meters high, on south- or north-facing walls. The vertical slopes of the Alpilles are ideal for two styles of climbing: athletic to the north and technical to the south. The setting is idyllic, with scents of lavender, blue skies and mineral slabs. The north-facing routes can be climbed in the afternoon, but the south-facing routes are best reserved for mornings. Children can try their hand at the foot of the route.

Sainte-Victoire

The Sainte-Victoire site offers 200 routes from 3b to 9a+, facing west and south-west, at a height of 40 meters. The mythical mountain in the heart of Provence inspired not only the painter Cézanne, but also generations of climbing enthusiasts. The site’s first major routes were opened in the 1960s at Deux Aiguilles. Other sectors were explored in the following decades. In 2010, the extreme Aubade route was opened with a 9a+ grading. The great historic route, which climbs the mythical mountain from ridge to ridge, is called Le Grand Parcours (grading 5c max).

Cap Canaille

An exceptional site 240 meters above sea level, with 50 open routes from 3+ to 7b and a westerly orientation. Not far from the Calanques, the Soubeyrannes cliffs offer an absolutely grandiose setting for climbing. This spot offers an incredible variety of rock types, with the possibility of encountering grey or white limestone, sandstone and pudding on the same route. The cape is also renowned for being one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. An atypical, varied spot, whose most beautiful route is undoubtedly “Bienvenue chez Damoclès”.

Roquevaire – le Grand Vallon

The site offers 140 routes from 3c to 9a, in all orientations, at a height of 45 meters. At the foot of the Garlaban, above Aubagne, the geological notch of the Grand Vallon offers relatively high-level routes, mostly in grades 6 and 7, on vertical walls or overhangs. The 9a was opened in 2011. A minimum of 60 m of rope is required. The best time to climb the Grand Vallon is in winter. The wall dries quickly, thanks to its orientation and open limestone surfaces.

Orgon

The Orgon site offers a choice of 350 routes from 3b to 9a, east or northeast facing, from 35 to 75 meters high. Renowned as a high-level spot, the Grand Canal sector in Orgon enjoyed its greatest success in the 90s. Its mythical overhangs made the site a benchmark for hard routes. Since then, new routes have been opened and equipped, from 4c to 9a. Other sectors of Orgon also offer 3a routes and different orientations, to be tried depending on the time of day and the amount of sunshine.