Marseille Airport to Vauvenargues, below Mont Sainte-Victoire
On the quiet north face of Mont Sainte-Victoire, the village where Picasso lies buried is a single, direct drive from the airport.
Indicative prices including VAT for the whole vehicle · 45 km by road · about 46 min. The simulator gives the exact price for your address.
Book this transfer Vauvenargues → airport
Picasso’s château below Sainte-Victoire
Picasso bought the château here in 1958 and is buried in its grounds beside Jacqueline Picasso, which brings many art lovers to this village of about a thousand people. Vauvenargues sits on the northern flank of Mont Sainte-Victoire, south of the Ubacs ridge, beside the Infernet stream that runs down towards the Bimont reservoir. It is also the birthplace of the writer Luc de Clapiers, Marquis de Vauvenargues, known simply as Vauvenargues. Walkers come for the mountain trails, and motorsport fans for the Grand-Sambuc circuit.
Through Aix and up the D 10
The village lies about 14 km east of Aix-en-Provence along the narrow D 10, with only two other ways in, over the Sambuc and Portes passes. From the airport it is roughly 45 km and 46 minutes by road. Indicative fares per vehicle: €72 in Eco, €86 in a Sedan or €119 in an 8-seater van, tolls and luggage included. Your driver follows your flight, greets you in arrivals with a name sign and allows a free hour of waiting after touchdown.
Planning a day on the mountain
Roads around Vauvenargues are few and winding, so it pays to book your return to the airport in advance; it costs the same as the journey in. Hikers aiming for the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Victoire near the Croix de Provence should agree a road-accessible meeting point with the driver. Nearby villages include Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon, Beaurecueil, Puyloubier and Peyrolles-en-Provence. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pick-up, which helps if the weather changes your plans.
Good to know about Vauvenargues
The Château de Vauvenargues has been a listed monument since 1929 and still has a medieval armoury and two rooms decorated in the 18th century; it belongs to Jacqueline Picasso’s descendants. High on the ridge, the priory chapel of Sainte-Victoire dates from 1656 and its monks’ building from 1661.
- Department
- Bouches-du-Rhône
- Population
- about 1,058 (Insee)
- From the airport
- 45 km · 46 min
Frequently asked questions
How much is a transfer from Marseille airport to Vauvenargues?
About €72 in Eco, €86 in a Sedan and €119 in an 8-seater van for 45 km, tolls and luggage included (indicative prices). The simulator gives the exact price for your address before you book.
How long does the ride take?
About 46 min outside rush hour.
Can we visit Picasso’s château when we arrive?
The château is privately owned by Jacqueline Picasso’s descendants, so check access before you travel. The driver can drop you anywhere in the village you choose.
Can you drop us at a trailhead on Sainte-Victoire?
Yes, as long as the starting point can be reached by road. Give its exact location when booking, along with a pick-up time if you also reserve the return.
Nearby towns
- Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon 5 km
- Puyloubier 6 km
- Beaurecueil 8 km
- Peyrolles-en-Provence 8 km