7 great places for solo travelers in Europe - Lonely Planet
7 great places for solo travelers in Europe · 1. Sicily, Italy · 2. Naxos, Greece · 3. Aix-en-Provence, France · 4. Palma de Mallorca, Spain · 5.
Montagne Ste-Victoire
Navigating the notoriously feisty metropolis of Marseille in France’s hot south solo is not for everyone. Meandering the graceful boulevards of its cleaner, safer, slower-paced little sister, a 45-minute bus or train ride away, most definitely is. Open your foray in chichi Aix-en-Provence with a café crème and croissant beneath emerald-leafed plane trees at Le Forbin, footsteps from fountain-stitched main avenue Cours Mirabeau. Time slows at the town’sMusée Granet in Quartier Mazarin, packed with pieces by Picasso, Matisse, Monet and local lad Paul Cézanne who painted nearby <anchor>Montagne Ste-Victoire</anchor> numerous times (following in his footsteps by e-bike is an inspirational day trip, either solo or with a group tour).
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Montagne Sainte-Victoire.

© bbsferrari/Getty Images/iStockphoto

# Montagne Ste-Victoire

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East of Aix rises Cézanne’s favourite haunt, the magnificent silvery ridge of Montagne Ste-Victoire, its dry slopes carpeted in garrigue (scented scrub), bristling with pines, crossed by stone-walled paths and concealing sites such as the 17th-century Sainte-Victoire Priory. The burnt-orange soil supports Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence vineyards, and hiking, mountain-biking and other activities can be arranged through the Aix tourist centre. Many hike the 1011m-mountain's north side, but the south side, though steeper, is quite beautiful.

If you take the D17 along the south side, pick up info on hiking and biking at the Maison de Ste-Victoire in St-Antonin-sur-Bayon. The mountain is closed in July and August due to the threat of forest fire (though roads remain open). Driving the loop around Ste-Victoire is gorgeous, or catch bus 110 from La Rotonde in Aix to Payloubier/St-Antonin-sur-Bayon.

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## Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

- Aix-En-Provence, France - 04 20 2023: Granet Museum. Sculptures and objects from the archaeological region of Aix-En-Provence; Shutterstock ID 2293616765; your: Sloane Tucker; gl: 65050; netsuite: Online Editorial; full: POI 2293616765

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A stunning Pays d'Aix photo opportunity framed by Montagne Ste-Victoire, this 13th-century château is the final resting place of Pablo Picasso. Owned and…

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