The chemin des Roys

The chemin des Roys, the "kings' way", links the basilica of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, where according to tradition the relics of Mary Magdalene rest, to the sanctuary of the grotto in Plan-d'Aups. It crosses Nans-les-Pins, climbs through the hills and the forest to the foot of the cliff, and owes its name to the sovereigns who walked it.

Kings and popes

Saint Louis climbed to the grotto on 22 July 1254, on his return from the crusade; Louis XIV was the last royal pilgrim, on 5 February 1660. In between, counts of Provence, kings of France and popes took the same road, on foot for the last kilometres. The oratories that mark it, like the Béguines oratory raised in 1516 south of Nans or the Miette oratory on the plateau, served as stages for prayer and as landmarks.

Walking it today

The route is taken up by several waymarked paths. From Nans-les-Pins, the chemin rural des Rois and the GR 9A leave the Miséricorde chapel towards the Huveaune springs. On the plateau, the GR 9 passes the Miette oratory, then the chemin des Roys proper climbs from the Hostellerie de la Sainte-Baume to the carrefour de l'Oratoire and the 150 steps of the grotto. The Huveaune springs loop and the climb to the Saint-Pilon each cover a stretch of it.