The Way of St. James - GR® 653A - E12
The GR®653A trail stretching from Menton to Arles is officially one of the long-distance hiking routes on the Way of St. James in France. These routes are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, and this section is part of the European E12 "Mediterranean Arc" trail.
Col Notre Dame
83700 Saint-Raphaël
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The Way of St. James - GR® 653A - E12
Col Notre Dame
83700 Saint-Raphaël
I'm going by train
Presentation
It crosses the entire Var department from east to west over a distance of 138 kilometres, following the route of the ancient Roman road, the Via Aurelia.
It starts at the Col Notre Dame, in the Massif d'Estérel, passes through Saint Raphaël, Fréjus, Puget-sur-Argens, skirts Roquebrune-sur-Argens, crosses Le Muy, les Arcs-sur-Argens, Lorgues, stops at the Abbaye du Thoronet, passes through Carcès, runs alongside Vins-sur-Caramy, crosses Le Val, Bras, Saint-Maximin, Ollières and finally Pourrières en route towards Aix-en-Provence.
There is an alternative route to the grotto of Saint Mary Magdalene in the Sainte Baume massif; it starts at Le Val, crosses Brignoles, Tourves, Rougiers, Plan d'Aups Saint-Zacharie and rejoins the GR at Puyloubier.
Whether you're a pilgrim or just a hiker, you should know that although the Var stages of the Way of Saint James to Santiago de Compostela and historic pilgrimage route to Rome are not yet very well known, they are no less beautiful! As you travel along this path, you'll be surprised at every turn:
. You'll be walking through 2,000 years of history,
. You'll discover an exceptional architectural heritage (Fréjus, the Abbaye du Thoronet and Saint-Maximin basilica, the 3rd tomb of Christianity),
. You'll be amazed by the spectacular scenery.
It starts at the Col Notre Dame, in the Massif d'Estérel, passes through Saint Raphaël, Fréjus, Puget-sur-Argens, skirts Roquebrune-sur-Argens, crosses Le Muy, les Arcs-sur-Argens, Lorgues, stops at the Abbaye du Thoronet, passes through Carcès, runs alongside Vins-sur-Caramy, crosses Le Val, Bras, Saint-Maximin, Ollières and finally Pourrières en route towards Aix-en-Provence.
There is an alternative route to the grotto of Saint Mary Magdalene in the Sainte Baume massif; it starts at Le Val, crosses Brignoles, Tourves, Rougiers, Plan d'Aups Saint-Zacharie and rejoins the GR at Puyloubier.
Whether you're a pilgrim or just a hiker, you should know that although the Var stages of the Way of Saint James to Santiago de Compostela and historic pilgrimage route to Rome are not yet very well known, they are no less beautiful! As you travel along this path, you'll be surprised at every turn:
. You'll be walking through 2,000 years of history,
. You'll discover an exceptional architectural heritage (Fréjus, the Abbaye du Thoronet and Saint-Maximin basilica, the 3rd tomb of Christianity),
. You'll be amazed by the spectacular scenery.
Spoken languages
Labels, brands and classified sites
Sur le trajet de Saint Jacques de Compostelle
Itinéraires inscrits au PDIPR (fr)
Hiking routes of the Var
Equipments
Equipements (fr)
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All year round.
Mise à jour le 13/02/2025
Par Office de tourisme de Saint-Raphaël
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