Parc Naturel Régional de la Sainte-BaumeParc Naturel Régional de la Sainte-Baume
©Parc Naturel Régional de la Sainte-Baume|Auray J.

Auriol

Tourism and travel guide

Would you like to visit the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region? Discover Auriol, a pretty village in the Bouches-du-Rhône. You will appreciate the authenticity and charm of this typical village of Provence. In Auriol you will find several stores, while enjoying the serenity and joie de vivre of a village on a human scale.

Would you like to get closer to nature during your stay in Provence? You can initiate yourself into hiking or go for a bike or mountain bike ride on the paths and trails in the heart of the Provence countryside. According to your desires, you can also try your hand at different activities in the Bouches-du-Rhône: horse riding, tree climbing, climbing, via ferrata, paragliding…

Mediterranean fish, olive oil, tapenade, socca and fougasse, ratatouille, bull stew, goat’s cheese, calissons, navettes marseillaises or honey sweets… The diversity of the terroirs in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur has given birth to many local specialties. The area around Auriol offers you various gourmet getaways, to discover the farmers and producers.

In Provence, you can discover a cultural and historical heritage of great quality: churches and chapels, castles and fortresses, listed villages, museums… The region’s heritage offers the promise of beautiful discoveries. In a village, a fully restored church. In the surroundings, a Renaissance castle and its park. The historic centre of Auriol, with its shady square and narrow streets, is a picture-postcard setting.

You wish to stay in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur? You wish to stay in Auriol? Prepare your stay by choosing your accommodation online. The Auriol Tourist Office will give you advice on the proposed activities and tourist sites. 

The Sainte-Baume National Park

Between the Bouches-du-Rhône and the Var, the Sainte-Baume massif reaches an altitude of over 1000 meters. The Natural Park is an incredible playground for outdoor leisure activities. You can go walking, cycling, climbing, paragliding, tree climbing… This natural site has an exceptional flora and fauna, with many animal species: Tengmalm’s owl, roe deer, grey flycatcher, orpheus warbler, Bonelli’s eagle, little scops owl, blue monticole, rock monticole, proyer bunting, mad bunting…

Pagan and then Christian spirituality is part of the history of Sainte-Baume. The heritage bears witness to this. Mary Magdalene, a disciple of Christ, is said to have spent the last years of her life meditating and praying in a cave near the summit, now occupied by a church and a monastery. The forest at the foot of the Grotto is mentioned by Roman authors. During your walks in the Park you will sometimes come across dry stone constructions that are mostly buried. These coolers were used to produce ice in a natural way for the wealthy inhabitants of Marseille, Aix-en-Provence or Toulon.

Read more: Sainte-Baume Nature Park

Museums and monuments in the Bouches-du-Rhône

Located in Auriol, the Martin Duby museum boasts a wide range of collections, including works of art by local artists, earthenware, tools and artefacts, santons, etc.

From Auriol, you can also travel to Aubagne and visit the town’s various museums: Le Petit Monde de Marcel Pagnol, Marcel Pagnol’s birthplace, the Foreign Legion museum, etc.

You can also go to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, and visit the basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine.

Practical information

The Pays d’Aubagne et de l’Etoile Tourist Office offers a wealth of information and ideas for activities and sightseeing in and around Auriol:

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