Le Tholonet
7 km east of the centre of Aix en Provence via the D17.
Discover the village of Le Tholonet near Aix en Provence
A magnificent view of the Sainte Victoire
Le Tholonet is a small village situated close to Aix en Provence in the "Haute Vallee de l'Arc" which is worth visiting for several reasons. From the village there are magnificent views of Mount Saint-Victoire and the superb surrounding countryside.
You will appreciate the picturesque rivers of the Arc and La Cause which cross the territory and meander between the vineyards and fields of wild flowerse. Le Tholonet was one of Paul Cézanne's favourite places. Its red soil, grey rock and intense blue sky all complemented by Mount Sainte-Victoire , offer a palette of extraordinary colours.
Le Tholonet castle and Relais Cézanne
You will discover the Chateau du Tholonet painted by Cézanne and which today is one of the stopping-points on the Cezanne circuit retracing the important sites during his life-time in the region. When leaving the chateau, you will cross in front of the "Relais Cezanne" then the small Tholonet church.
Zola dam
When leaving the village, at the foot of the windmill, you will come across a figure in the image of Paul Cézanne which commemorates the centenary of his birth, and you can later see the barrage built by Francois Zola, father of the famous French writer Emile Zola.
Roques Hautes Park
The Parc Départemental de Roques Hautes covers several communes, including Le Tholonet. Here you'll find superb walks on the Montagne Sainte-Victoire. Le Tholonet's residents love to stroll here, as do the many tourists in the summer months.
Restaurants in Le Tholonet
You can have lunch or dinner at several very pleasant restaurants, complete with lovely gardens and shady terraces that create a very romantic atmosphere. Le Tholonet is also fortunate to have a very famous vineyard which is highly appreciated by connoisseurs.
La Palette wine
Although the AOC (the French government certification guaranteeing quality), covers only a small area (12 hectares) it produces one of the best white wines of Provence, a warm red and a nervous rosé. The vineyard, "La Palette" was created by the Carmelite order in medieval times and was classified AOC in 1948.
Our interactive map of Le Tholonet (postcode 13100)
To find your way around Le Tholonet, you can use our interactive map, which even works on mobile phones. We've included all the town's points of interest as well as our accommodation recommendations so that you can locate them before making your booking.
What to see
Tholonet church.
Mill, the Chateau and its surroundings.
Espinades area: Barrage Francois Zola dam and roman aqueduct.
Cezanne tour.
St Michel de Frigolet Abbey (5 km).
Leisure activities
Hiking, Mountain biking.
Market, Tuesday and Saturday morning.
Hotels
Each room is air-conditioned and equipped with a flat-screen TV. The private bathroom features a shower. The hotel is 3.5 km from Aix-en-Provence and 33 km from Cassis. The nearest airport, Marseille Provence, is 23 km from the B&B Hotel Aix en Provence Le Tholonet.
Accomodations
Hotels.
Holiday rentals.
Bed & Breakfast.
YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VILLAGE
You have sent us a number of questions about Le Tholonet. Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions.
What are the inhabitants of Le Tholonet called?
The inhabitants of Le Tholonet are called "Tholonétiens" and "Tholonétiennes". There are currently 2,400 year-round residents in this commune of the Pays d'Aix, and the population is gradually increasing year on year, as the village is very pleasant and the Bouches du Rhône département very attractive.
How far is Le Tholonet from Marseille?
Le Tholonet is only 35 kilometres from Marseille. It takes around 40 minutes on the A7 motorway to reach Marseille from Le Tholonet (depending on the time of day, there may be a bit of a traffic jam as you enter Marseille).
NEIGHBOURING TOWNS AND VILLAGES
Beaurecueil (4 km), Aix en Provence (7 km), Meyreuil(6 km) and Saint Antonin (7 km).