The departmental cycling routes alternate between the Mediterranean coast, open plains, and Provençal countryside. The Marseille sector allows for a quick connection between the coast and the first mountain ranges, while Aix-en-Provence provides access to the hilly roads around Montagne Sainte-Victoire. Further west, the routes towards Arles and the Camargue offer flatter rides, between the lagoons, flamingos, and vast agricultural landscapes. This variety makes the Bouches-du-Rhône a destination suitable for both sporting outings and long, contemplative rides.
Around Marseille, routes quickly become demanding with roads climbing towards the Massifs des Calanques, de l’Étoile, or du Garlaban. In Aix-en-Provence, Montagne Sainte-Victoire shapes routes with regular loops highly favoured by local cyclists. In the Camargue, the flat roads offer a completely different experience, between dykes, ponds, and open horizons. These three environments make the Bouches-du-Rhône a unique department for varied cycling without changing region.
The roads along the coast between Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat offer spectacular routes between the sea and limestone cliffs. Ascending to the cols of the Calanques or the roads of the Marseilleveyre massif provide short but intense outings, with direct panoramas over the Mediterranean.
Around Aix-en-Provence, Mont Sainte-Victoire is the centrepiece of numerous cycling routes. The secondary roads wind through vineyards, scrubland and Provençal villages, with a gentler but constant gradient. These routes allow you to ride for a long time in a typically Mediterranean atmosphere.
