In the open air
Surrounded by wooded, unspoilt natural areas, Gardanne’s territory is ideal for outdoor activities and discovering the heart of nature.
Domaine de Valabre
The Valabre estate extends over 150 hectares of forests and hills. It is home to the Lycée agricole de Valabre, theMediterranean Forest Ecomuseumthe Observatoire de la Forêt méditerranéenne, civil security services and CRISCO, which centralizes forest fire-fighting resources. The Domaine de Valabre is therefore a major hub for the preservation and enhancement of Mediterranean forests. Valabre also offers some great walks for total relaxation in the heart of nature.
Mur de Gueydan trail
Walk along the 4-century-old Gueydan Wall and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views. In 1683, Pierre de Gueidan bought the Valabre estate. In 1692, he had a stone wall built to protect his livestock. The Gueydan Wall still marks out 150 hectares of land.
La Luynes
The Luynes river flows for 19 km through the communes of Mimet, Gardanne and Aix-en-Provence. It rises at an altitude of 455m in the Massif de l’Etoile, north of the Bau Trauqua mountain, which means “pierced cliff”, and flows into the Payannet stream. Along La Luynes is to take a break, a pause in time… to the rhythm of the water.
Discover the hiking trails from Gardanne
Sentier des Crêtes
Ce sentier offre une belle vue sur les massifs de l’Etoile, de Sainte-Victoire et du Ventoux.
Sentier du Bois du Verdillon
Le Bois du Verdillon est une propriété communale d’une trentaine d’hectares qui longe la route de Mimet juste après le canal de Provence.
Sentier du Mur de Gueydan
En 1683, Pierre de Gueydan achète le domaine de Valabre. En 1692, il fait ériger un mur de pierres pour protéger le bétail. .
The Gardanne hills
Cativel hill
Take the Montée du Castrum to reach the upper fortified part of the old village and the Cativel hill. On this hill, three windmills dominate the north side, one of them since 1478. These mills are typical of a farming village and stand in a pleasant undergrowth setting.
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The brothers’ hill
To the south of the city center, the Colline des frères is emerging. A landscaped walk and an open-air museum invite you to retrace the life of painter Paul Cezanne in Gardanne from 1885 to 1886. It was perched on this hill that Cezanne painted Gardanne, the only village he ever depicted.
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Fontvenelle stadium and pond
Fontvenelle
The Fontvenelle stadium and pool offer a wide range of sports facilities, just a few minutes’ walk from the town center. A fan of bodybuilding? Running or trail running? Basketball? Soccer? Nordic walking? Fishing or more? The Stade de Fontvenelle and its playground are the ideal place in Gardanne to let off steam.
The Aqualudic Center
Gardanne’s aqualudic center, managed by Métropole Aix-Marseille Provence, has a large 50m pool, a school pool, a paddling pool, a pentaglide, a slide and rest and play areas to delight young and old alike.