Ideas for a Visit to Puyloubier Near Aix-en-Provence

While Provence provides many opportunities to visit local vineyards or village cooperatives, this one is close to Aix-en-Provence. Here is a parcours for a visit to Puyloubier, a village a short drive east from Aix. Situated on the lower slopes of the Sainte-Victoire, its vineyards are covered by the appellation ‘Côtes de Provence Sainte Victoire’, which was launched some 20 years ago. Read the original blog post by Aixcentric for hiking tips and where to eat lunch in the village.

Visit Puyloubier

Situated in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, Puyloubier sits on the eastern flank of Mont Sainte Victoire. The village is in the heart of the AOP Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire, surrounded by 1000 hectares of vines. However, the town has a population of only 1,783 (2019). Although Puyloubier is near the large urban centres of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, it is a rural community that forms part of the Grand Site Sainte-Victoire.

What to see in Puyloubier?

Old town: Walk through the historic centre and view the ramparts (restored) remaining from the medieval castle.

Map of town centre ©Marie de Puyloubier

Museum: Since 1954, the Foreign Legion (Legionnaires) retirement home has been located in the village. There is also a tiny museum – musée de l’Uniforme – that showcases historical uniforms. In addition, 40 hectares of vines are on the property, and the grapes are vinified at the local cooperative but sold under the Foreign Legion label.

Musée de l’Uniforme – Musée de la Légion Etrangère (Puyloubier)
Domaine “Capitaine-Danjou Chemin Pallière
13114 Puyloubier
Telephone: +33 04 42 91 45 01

Churches: Discover the churches and chapels that date from the 11th century (Chapelle Saint Ser and Chapelle Saint-Pancrace) to the 19th century (l’Église Saint-Pons).

Amazing Mont Sainte-Victoire

Mont Sainte-Victoire’s limestone ridgeline runs 18km from east to west outside Aix-en-Provence.⁠ The summit is at 1011 metres, lower than Mont Ventoux, but soars above anything else in the vicinity. Under the Grande Cite de France label, almost 50,000 hectares, between Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, including Mont Sainte-Victoire, form the most significant wooded area in the department of Bouches du Rhône. Despite a devastating forest fire in 1989, the mountain maintains a sacred presence.⁠ This striking mountain that Cézanne painted countless times remains an unspoiled destination for artists, photographers, hikers, and cyclists.

Read more here:

Mont Sainte-Victoire Celebrate and Revered in Provence

Photographing Mont Sainte-Victoire, the Sacred Mountain

Pablo Picasso’s Final Resting Place in Provence