| Tour 4 : The paths of
History : Castles, Chapels, Shrines |
Return to Aix by the D58H, the "3
Sautets Bridge" Leave Aix by the RN8 towards Marseille, then Bouc-Bel-Air.
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Bouc-Bel-Air
 Bouc-Bel-Air
St-André parish church in Romanesque style. Its gate was listed in
1930.
* La Salle House.
* Chapel of Notre-Dame-de l'Espérance: 12th century. Start of walking
tour.
* Chapel of St-Anne: probably the oldest in the village.
* Albertas Gardens: 18th century, inspired by Lenôtre, decorated with
fountains and statues.
* Castle in town centre, open only for exhibitions.
Then take the D60A towards
Cabriès.
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Cabriès-Calas
 * Castle
housing the Edgar Mélik Museum: Mediaeval ruins and 18th century façade.
Inside, magnificent French ceilings, and the castle chapel built in the 17th
century.
*
Chapel of Notre Dame de la Salette, the oldest monument in Cabriès,
perched on Trébillane hill, dates back to the 5th century and is currently
being restored.
* Church of St-Mary-of-the-Nativity, a real Romanesque treasure from the 12th
century, containing outstanding pictorial works (altar piece, remarkable 16th
century triptych).
*
Church of Calas – Sainte-Marie-de-l'Assomption 19th century has a Greek
façade.
*
Château de Trébillane 12th century, with architecture typical
of large Provençal houses, now the "Oustaou Per Touti" (Associations
Centre).
Guided tours by appointment on 04 42 69 05 48.
Take the D6 towards Gardanne,
then Simiane-Collongue.
View of the Etoile range, Pilon du Roi (King’s Crag).
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Gréasque
 Castle:
The Gréasque municipality purchased the castle in 1990 and undertook
its restoration to keep it a public place. First, in 1992 an open air theatre
was built in the garden of the 17th century castle, former home of the Count
of Castellane-Majastre, and presents open air plays and concerts in a natural
setting. Next came the renovation of the church interior. Today, the castle
houses the school of music and its activities, drama, painting and dance classes
as well as the Plastic Arts exhibition.
It enables the various associations to meet in an exceptional setting. Adjacent
to the castle, the 17th century church, dedicated to St-Jacques le Majeur,
contains unsuspected treasures and even hosts concerts on certain days of the
year.
Follow the D46 towards Gardanne.
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Gardanne
 Chapel
of Pénitents (17th century), former chapel of St-Valentin (13th century).
It was a place of pilgrimage in the Mediaeval "Castrum". St-Valentin
is still celebrated in Gardanne.
* The Centenary Cross (Croix du Centenaire),
erected in 1894 on the Cativel hill, is the twin of the cross on the Sainte-Victoire
Mountain.
* The Avenue d'Aix Cross from 1766, a mission cross of Monseigneur de Mazenod,
is one of the oldest in the region since most of the crosses only date from
the 19th century.
See:
All tours - Tour 1 - Tour 2 - Tour 3 - Tour 4
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