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At
the foot of the massif des Maures, and the meeting of the ways
to Saint-Tropez, Aix-en-Provence, and the Riviera, a region…
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The
Var : at
its center, the Plain of “les Maures”, its
vineyards producing some of the finest wines of the Côtes
de Provence. To the south… the massif and its vales
rich in regional specialties deriving from honey, the
olive, and the chestnut. Travelling from west to east
we encounter a wild scrub land (garrigue) enclosing the
valleys of the Issole and Argens rivers, and to the north,
the pale green Verdon winds its way among high rocky
cliffs. A region of contrasts in which tradition, the
fruits of labor, and local "savoir-faire" cohabit
with the contrasting non-stop social whirl of Saint-Tropez.
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Saint-Tropez
Legend
has it that the christian Roman centurion, Torpès,
was embarked with a cock and a dog in a small boat which touched
land at the precise spot which, with a minor orthographical
adjustment, was later to become the village of Saint-Tropez.
Saint-Tropez
owes its international renown to artists. In 1892 Paul
Signac moored his boat, “Olympia”, in this
hitherto little known.port.
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Recommended
visits : The Sainte-Anne chapel, dating from 1620 and dedicated
to seafarers. The chapel of the Convent of Saint-Tropez
(XVIIIth century) whose foundations are reputed to harbor
the remains of the celebrated martyr, Torpès. The
church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption : built in Italian
baroque style, it contains statues, early XIXth century
sculpted woodworks, and a bust of Saint-Tropez which is
borne in procession during the “Bravades” (a
solemn religious comemoration of the martyrdom of Saint
Torpès, held on May 16,17 and 18. Do not neglect
the Citadel, an old military fortress, a classified historic
monument housing a naval museum (undergoing renovation
at present). Near the port, the Musée de l’Annonciade
with its rich collections of pointillistes, fauves, and
nabis.... not to be missed.
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Saint-Tropez
is also its port with its impressive yachts and celebrity
hunters; attracted by the “Ritz-Glitz and spangles” of
their owners. The bars, restaurants and “nite-life” are
in a class apart. In October the motor powered “yachts” yield
their berths to high-masted sails which gather for the “Voiles
de Saint-Tropez” regatta. The port assumes a dignified
calm and invites a stroll through the narrow streets to “La
Ponche”, a smaller port nearby. The renown of Saint-Tropez
is ever vibrant. Pause for a moment at sunset in contemplation
of the play of soft color over the surface of the bell tower,
and you will understand better.
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The
Lac des Escarcets
The lakeside space of Les Escarcets and its surroundings were acquired in 1996
by the Conservatoire du Littoral and represent 879 hectares, forming the “hard
core” of the exceptional ecological area, formed by the Plaine des Maures
which, today, is the subject of several conservancy initiatives.
In fact, its impermeable red-coloured soil, over which flows the surface water,
create habitats that are seen as a priority within the context of the European
Directive on Habitats: temporary pools and grassy areas, which provide excellent
conditions for protected plant (orchids, buttercups ...) and animal (Hermann
turtles, other reptiles …) species.
This plane is home to a mosaic of habitats for several birds, thus ensuring that
it is classified as a special protection area in accordance with the European
Directive on Birds. There is a seven kilometre walk around the lake, except when
the massifs are closed due to fire risks. You can observe the maritime pines,
which, at sunset, evoke the savannah, the forests of cork-oak, whose orange,
then mahogany bark is still worked, whilst still remembering the heathers, strawberry
trees, cistus and lavender of the Maures that make up the maquis
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Le
Cannet des Maures
Formerly known as "Castrum de Canneto" le Vieux Cannet, one of the
oldest villages in Provence, perched on a hilltop overlooking the cloverleaf
of highways a few kilometers away. With its ramparts and square, and thanks to
its preservation as a classified historic monument, it affords a glimpse of the
mediaeval castrum.
Its eleventh century church, a fine example of primitive romanesque architecture,
contains a statue of the Virgin and child. Reputedly the work of a shepherd,
it is sculpted in the wood of a fig tree. A view from the belvedere reveals a
panorama extending to the crest of the Maures.
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La
Garde Freinet
Nestling high in the massif des Maures, the old Provençal village of La
Garde Freinet has retained its authenticity. To its stategic location as watchdog
of a mountain pass 1,450 feet above sea level it owes its sobriquet “garde” and
its resounding full name : la Garde Freinet. Overhanging the village, Fort Freinet
stands guard over the only access road between the valley of the Argens and the
Gulf of Saint Tropez, and commands a sensational panoramic view.
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The
archeological site has yet to yield all its secrets. Certain
of its industries such as sericulture (raising silk worms)
and the production of corks, exist no more. However, other
traditional activities such as the "transhumance" in
June, and the chestnut harvest in October, are still celebrated.
A wide choice of excursions is available.
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Le
Thoronet
Fonded in 1146, in the hinterland of the Var, le Thoronet is one of the most
remarkable abbeys built by the Cistercian order. The proportional purity, spatial
simplicity, rigorously dressed stone and absolute sobriety of the architecture
give it an austere beauty depleted of any artifice, in accordance with the spirituality
advocated by St Bernard.
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a visit : (web-site) |
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April
1st to september 30th, 10 am to 6.30 pm
(Sundays 10 am to noon and 2 to 6.30 pm). |
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October
1st to March 31st, 10 am to 13 pm and 2 to 5 pm
(Sundays 10 am to noon and 2 to 5 pm). |
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lJanuary
1st, May 1st, November 1st and 11th, december 25th. |
| access
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N7,
A8 exit Le Luc - Cannet-des-Maures |
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Cotignac
Cotignac,
a village of character, is situated between the sea and
the lake of « Sainte Croix ».
It huddles against the foot of a majestic volcanic rock.
This impressive backdrop is sculpted by cascades of the
Cassole river, and affords shelter for troglodytic caves.
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Worth a visit:
-The shaded charm of a provençal stream, its plane trees,
its two beautiful fountains and its outdoor washing place dating
from the XIXth century completely restored.
-its open air theater, built on the ruins and restored in 1959.
-other fountains (there are 17)
- Its campanile dating from the XIVth century
- Its remains of an oil mill
- The so-called « Sarracen » towers
- Following the trail, you will arrive at its foot, and visit
the caves (open from Easter until mid-October : opening hours
are posted at the Tourist Office).
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To see :
- the St Martin chapel, dating from the IXth century
- the St Pierre church, built in 1266 in the purest romanesque
provençal style
- the sanctuary Notre Dame de Grâces, where Louis XIV
and his mother Anne of Austria made a memorable pilgrimage
in 1660
- the St Joseph monastery, occupied by Benedictine nuns |
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Sillans
la Cascade
This
corner of paradise is known chiefly for
its waterfall.The Cascade
is a tributary of the l’Argens, « la
Bresques » its nearby source. It
measures 42 meters high and plunges into
a little dam of clear water.
To reach the foot of the Cascade follow
the trail bordered by century-old plane
trees for approximately 800 meters. The
final meters are rough going, since no
improvements have been made to facilitate
access. With its wooden stairways and loose
stones at certain points, the trail gives
way to a series of holes and requires a
bent back to pass beneath umbrellas of
thorns, and pauses to permit visitors arriving
in the opposite direction to pass.
Worth a visit : the ramparts with their
spendid towers and XIth century battlements.
The castle. The St. Etienne church (XVIIth
century), its attractive porch with its
open faced stones. Le Belfoy.
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Entrecasteaux
Situated
between Brignolles and Draguignan, Entrecastaux is a village
constructed between "la Bresque" and the Argens river. This
village is known for its homogeneousness. The castle, entirely
restored, can be visited.
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Below
the castle, is the Entrecasteaux public garden « à la
Française » designed by Le Notre, creator of
the gardens of Versailles
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Lorgues
Lorgues
has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Our dolmens testify
to this today. An important settlement with its oppidum-refuge
on the St Ferréol hill, it was later colonized by the
Romans. Thanks to its ramparts, during the Middle Ages the
Castrum was protected from barbarian and Saracen invasions.
In the XVIth century, numerous religious communities established
and constructed chapels, schools and convents.
The XVIIIth and XIXth centuries represent rich and prosperous
periods and the construction of major monuments. The main street
of «La République», central artery of Lorgues
bordered by it’s impressive alignment of bourgeois homes,
dates from that period.
This main street comes alive each Tuesday morning with its
superb provençal market, not to be missed.
A must :
Notre Dame de Ben-Va and its XVth century frescoes, Saint-Ferréol
and its Museum of Sacred Art and famous for its collection of Ex-Voto.
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Les
Arcs sur Argens
Since time immemorial the parish of Les Arcs sur Argens in the heart of the Argens
valley and bordered to the south by the forest of the Maures, has been the preferred
passage between land and sea. Known in the year 1010 A.D. as “Archos” -
an allusion to its Roman and mediaeval arches - the village was subsequently
called Castrum d’Arcubus. Restoration of the mediaeval “Parage” quarter
was begun in 1960. A stroll through its narrow streets stirs admiration for workmanship
that is a worthy tribute to the past : the remains of its ramparts, the defense
tower’s “new” vocation as bell tower with its wrought-iron belfrey
dating from 1602, the 13th century dungeon of the feudal castle, and the church
of St Jean Baptiste (1851) with an animated crèche representing the old
village of les Arcs.
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Finally,
the Sainte Roseline chapel standing outside the village
contains exceptionally fine works of art. Ever since they
were exhumed five years after her burial in 1334, Saint
Rosaline’s relics have been displayed intact. Every
other year “les Médiévales”, celebrated
at the beginning of July, translate the village back into
its Middle Ages.
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The
Verdon and the Sainte-Croix lake
The natural Park of Verdon and the Gorges du Verdon.
Stretching from the plateau of Valensole to the high Varois
plateau , the natural park of Verdon includes 44 parishes.
It contributes to the conservation of rich natural resources.
This prestigious site, boasts magnificent landscapes: lakes,
gorges, canyon and rivers.
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History and patrimony
Land
of past ancestral descent, the Verdon will charm you with
the richness of its patrimony. With its numerous and prestigious
sites, you will discover chapels, fortified villages, prestigious
homes and some remarkable museums ( at the prehistoric
museum of Quinson).Pedestrian and equestrian hikes,
kilometers of trails (marked and unmarked) are an invitation
to discover nature and to practice « equestrian hiking »;
families will appreciate the possibility of donkey rides.
Beginner or expert, you will be rewarded. The large existing
trails are amongst the most beautiful in Europe. Cliffs
of medium height invite beginners and experienced hikers
to explore the surrounding countryside:Digne, Annot, Voix,
Castellane and Quinson
For aquatic and freshwater sports (see under « activities »).
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