On Sunday, Nick, Lindsey, Matt, Caroline(Lindsey’s roommate) and I climbed the local “mountain to top all mountains”, Mont Sainte Victoire. The range is visible throughout all of the Pays d'Aix and familiar to any who know Cézanne's paintings. He painted it over 80 times! It's one of our favorite landmarks too.It was a nice day, low 70's, light breeze although a bit hazy due to brush burning in local village farmlands. This ascent has become an annual event/challenge for Nick and I and today, the day after the climb, I’m proud to say we’ve made it three for three, although it seemed harder this year than last. Hmm...
The route we took started in St.Marc de Jaumegard at the dam of Lac du Bimont, an important water supply for Aix and Marseille. Our destination, the most Western peak with the Croix de Provence on top has an elevation of 3103ft (946m). We hiked through forests, open trails and rough terrain. Also on the mountain that day, were about a hundred students from the Lycee Militaire d'Aix en Provence. Here you can see one group of them; a line of blue uniforms on the trail...
Nick looking toward the west, you can barely make out the blue water of the dam where we started our climb...
We climbed over rocky ridges, traversed many switchbacks and rested here and there...
In just under 2 hours, we finally made it to the cloister of Notre Dame de Ste.Victoire. This small church was built in the 17th century and was used daily by the monks who lived on top of the mountain.
Another 50m and we'd made it to the very top of the mountain at the Croix de Provence. Built between 1871 and 1875, thanks to the tenacity of a campaign priest, Father Meissonnier. Building funds were collected from parishioners throughout the diocese of Aix and Arles and the names of the 22,000 donors are still kept in copper container embedded in the monument. The pedestal has a height of 11 m and the metal cross is 7 m high. Struck by lightning three times between 2002 and 2003, the Cross was so badly damaged that restoration was seriously questioned but local commitment and architectural value weighed heavily in the decision to rebuilt it.
Right at the foot of the cross we found a good spot to rest and enjoy our well deserved picnic lunch...
The 360 views seem to go on forever despite the hazy skies...
What looks like snow in the distance of this photo is actually the limestone covered summit of Mt. Ventoux in the Luberon Mountains to the north...
Directly below us, we marvelled at the rugged mountain range surrounded by the rolling terrain of farmland and vineyards...
After lunch it seemed like everyone had the giggles....
Lindsey and Caroline posing for their Tri-Delt newsletter...
After admiring the scenery and resting a bit longer, we made our descent in about 1 ½ hours. The downward leg takes less time and is easier on the lungs, but it can be killer on the knees, ankles and feet. But as they say, “no pain no gain” and we were all glad to have made the trip...and also very happy to stop for a candy bar on the way home!
A source for the St Victoire info and also an interesting site about the small villages surrounding Aix:
http://www.provence-hideaway.com/219.html
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