Activities and Sightseeing in Provence
Make your stay at La Magdeleine a relaxing, leisurely interlude in Provence, from Marseille to Aix-en-Provence by way of the Circuit Paul Ricard at Le Castellet.
From the hinterland, to be explored across the Sainte-Baume Regional Nature Park, to the calanques of Cassis. On land, at sea and in the sky.
We will be delighted to advise you and help you plan your excursions from La Magdeleine.
No plans, just whims…
Tomorrow, we’ll go and explore the Sainte-Baume, with a gourmet picnic basket in hand.
Tomorrow, we’ll set off at dawn along the trails of the Calanques National Park.
Tomorrow, we’ll give in to the temptation of the shop windows in the streets of Aix-en-Provence, after a visit to the Musée Granet or the Hôtel de Caumont…
Inspiring you is what we do.
Things to do around La Magdeleine
- Hiking: for all ages and all levels on the Chemins des Parcs and across the Sainte-Baume Regional Nature Park.
Our favourites: the Glacière (difficult), the Barres Saint-Martin (easy), the GR 98 and the Sainte-Baume (long-distance hike).
- Parc départemental de Saint-Pons with the Saint-Martin chapel, the so-called Cuges wheat mill, the unfinished Saint-Pons abbey and its forest: lovely walks with large waterfalls. A 15-minute walk from La Magdeleine.
- Outdoor sports: paragliding, cycling, electric mountain and hybrid bikes, kayaking, boat trips and diving in the calanques, sidecar outings, and more.
- Golf: 4 courses nearby (Golf Sainte-Victoire, Golf Marseille La Salette, Golf de la Sainte-Baume, Golf d’Allauch).
- Circuit Paul Ricard at Le Castellet, 30 minutes by car: French Grand Prix, Bol d’Or Grand Prix (in September), driving courses, karting…
- O.K Corral theme park: the largest leisure park in the South, to experience the heart of the Wild West, 15 minutes from La Magdeleine.
- Aqualand in Saint-Cyr, 20 minutes from La Magdeleine.
La Magdeleine,luxury hotel in Provence
As a couple or with family, discover Provence and its historic, natural and cultural sites. A rich and varied heritage for all ages.
Gémenos
Stroll along the rue de la Courtine, where Maurice Chevalier spent his childhood holidays, and discover the Château d’Albertas.
Now the town hall, it stands beside the 18th-century Saint-Martin church, whose door is well worth pushing open, the Halle des Arcades to wander beneath, and the Saint-Pons abbey.
Mathias Dandine’s favourite: the authentic, friendly Provençal market on Wednesday mornings.
Aubagne(5 min)
In the footsteps of Marcel Pagnol, discover the Romanesque church of Saint-Sauveur and admire Mont Garlaban.
Also visit the workshops of the santon makers and ceramists, including the Ravel workshop.
Cassis(20 min)
Enjoy the charm of this picturesque port and admire the beauty of the calanques and their crystal-clear waters.
Explore its vineyards, one of the very first appellations d’origine contrôlée in France.
Calanques National Park(20 min)
Explore the treasures of the Mediterranean coast, between Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat.
Hiking on the coastal paths, swimming in the coves of En-Vau, Port-Pin or Sormiou, or a boat trip from Cassis.
Le Castellet(30 min)
Stroll through this delightful medieval hilltop village in the heart of the Bandol vineyards.
Close by, discover the Paul Ricard motor-racing circuit.
The Sainte-Baume sanctuary(30 min)
Also known as the cave of Saint Mary Magdalene, it is said to have been the hermitage of Saint Mary Magdalene.
According to Provençal tradition, after evangelising Provence, she lived there for 33 years, withdrawn from the world. It has been a major Christian site since the 5th century.
Aix-en-Provence(35 min)
In this city of water and art, walk along the Cours Mirabeau, enjoy its gardens and parks and visit its many museums.
Musée Granet, Hôtel de Caumont, Fondation Vasarely, and more.
Marseille(35 min)
Stroll around the Vieux-Port and Les Goudes, explore the Mucem and the Regards de Provence museum.
Sail the waters of the Frioul archipelago to the Château d’If, and so many other discoveries.
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume(35 min)
Discover the tomb and Basilica of Mary Magdalene, the third most important tomb in Christendom.
A masterpiece of Provençal Gothic, the basilica is also home to one of the finest historic organs in France.
Montagne Sainte-Victoire(40 min)
Admire or climb the 1,001-metre mountain, a living and inspiring memory of Cézanne.
From the Bimont dam or the Sainte-Victoire priory, the trails offer sweeping views over Provence.
Les Alpilles(1 hr)
Its Nature Park and the fortified village of Les Baux-de-Provence, with its Carrières de Lumières.
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and the archaeological site of Glanum.
Discover our second house
Your questions
Ideally located in the heart of the village of Gémenos, at the foot of the Sainte-Baume massif, the hotel puts Provence within easy reach. By car: Aubagne, birthplace of Marcel Pagnol, 5 minutes away; the Calanques and Cassis 20 minutes away; the Circuit Paul Ricard at Le Castellet 20 minutes away; Marseille and Aix-en-Provence 35 minutes away.
A pétanque court is available to our guests in the park, and boules can be borrowed from reception for a game in the shade at the end of the day. We also offer a giant chess set, board games, electric bikes to borrow, as well as visits of our wine cellar and wine workshops on request.