Mountain refuge Refuge du Prieuré

Crest and exits of the massif

In the mountain of Sainte-Victoire, the relief is organized in a long limestone ridge, narrow steps and dry slopes where the orientation and wind can change the day a lot. In that context it fits Refuge du Prieuré , 888 meters, very close to the Croix de Provence and in the Vauvenargues , as a support to move the top of the massif or to cut a journey if conditions are complicated. Their practical interest is linked to several paths that converge in this area, such as the Sentier Imoucha , the pas de la Savonette, the pas du Moine or the sentier des Deux Aiguilles, itineraries that connect different slopes, steps and accesses on a mountain very exposed to time changes.

Practical use and precautions

More than as an isolated destination, this shelter is well understood as a point of protection or reference in a network of roads that allows to link the ridge with descents to the valley. The proximity of the cymera cross and the relative proximity of the Pic des Mouches strengthen this support role for linear or dorsal days. It is appropriate to plan with autonomy: the nearest source is about 1.4 km and should not be considered safe without prior verification. In a saw like Sainte-Victoire, with stony terrain, passing sections and strong insolation out of winter, it also matters to assess the weather well, because an early withdrawal may be more sensible than to maintain the progression through the crest.