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Var: five little-known villages to discover in the hinterland

2022-03-23T07:10:19.455Z


TOURISM - From the Sainte-Baume massif to the Verdon gorges, the Var hinterland conceals a number of irresistible villages. While some are already well identified – such as Cotignac, Bargème or Tourtour – others also deserve the attention of visitors.


Secret forests planted with holm oaks, fields of age-old olive trees, well-ordered vines, gushing springs, rocky outcrops… The Var hinterland has everything of a Garden of Eden.

Scattered in the heart of these extraordinary landscapes, its villages offer small colorful worlds with the false air of a Provençal nativity scene, with their sunny terraces, their murmuring fountains and their cobbled streets.

Here are five little-known pearls to shell out during a stay in Var.

To discover

  • Stays in France: weekends, hotels and tailor-made stays from our partners

Collobrieres

From Saint-Tropez, you have to take the winding roads that cross the forests of cork oaks and chestnut trees of the Massif des Maures to reach Collobrières.

Its name comes from the Provençal

coulobri,

the snake… The fault lies with the Réal Collobrier river, which crosses the village in generous curves.

If Collobrières prospered thanks to the timber trade, it is today famous for its specialties based on chestnuts, in particular its candied chestnuts.

Do not miss.

The discovery of the village begins at the edge of the river, on the long square shaded by plane trees where the bowlers meet.

Along the beautiful residences of Boulevard Carnot, you reach an elegant square guarded by the Town Hall.

The pastel facades of rue Jean-Jaurès lead to the medieval quarter, with its “calades” which climb towards the ruins of the Saint-Pons church, built in the 16th century.

From up there, a lovely panorama of the village and the colorful bell tower of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires awaits the curious.

It would be a shame to leave the region without making a detour to the Chartreuse de la Verne, a veritable spiritual fortress established on a ridge of the Massif des Maures, 12 km from the village.

Party side.

It's hard to resist the terrace of the Hôtel-restaurant des Maures, set up on a footbridge above the river.

Its restaurant serves good local cuisine, between anchoïade and wild boar stew.

For its part, the Confiserie Azuréenne is renowned for its delicious chestnut ice cream and its extra candied chestnuts.

In October, the Chestnut Festivals are the event not to be missed.

Find out more:

mpmtourisme.com

.

The "Archistoire" application invites you to explore the village through a virtual reality tour.

Lorgues

A Provençal town flanked by two rivers, Lorgues keeps alive the memory of the Celto-Ligurians, the Middle Ages and the Templars, the classical period and the 19th century.

Var Tourism / Olivier Simon

Inhabited since prehistoric times – a few dolmens bear witness to this – this large town is organized around the old Roman castrum, fortified in the Middle Ages by the Templars to protect itself from Moorish invasions.

Today, the village is popular for its large Provençal market, which unfolds on the pretty Cours de la République.

Do not miss.

Built from 1704, the Saint-Martin collegiate church has impressive dimensions.

Its ample classical-style nave opens onto a remarkable organ, as does the high altar in polychrome marble and the

Virgin and Child

sculpted by Pierre Puget.

Going up towards the top of the village, you reach the Cours de la République, lined with beautiful residences and dominated by the bell tower of the clock tower.

In the Ruou district, walkers will come across the remains of the ramparts, old gates built by the Templars, as well as chapels and fountains.

Party side.

Lorgues is famous for its Provençal market where many local producers set up shop: fruit and vegetables, olive oil, cheese, nougat, wine, etc.

The village is home to several prestigious AOC Côtes de Provence wine estates: Château Roubine (classified growth), Château de L'Arnaude, La Martinette... Straddling Lorgues and Flayosc, the Château de Berne has a Relais & Châteaux, a starred restaurant (Le Jardin de Berne) and a cozy bistro.

As soon as the sun shines, the terrace of the generous Bistro Chez Ludo is taken by storm.

For an exceptional gastronomic experience, Chez Bruno is the place to book.

His truffle menus are attracting gourmets from all over the region.

Learn more:

dracenie.com

tourrettes

Perched on a hillside, Tourrettes has the charm of these small towns whose steep streets are home to a string of artists' and craftsmen's workshops.

Tourrettes Town Hall

In the heart of the Pays de Fayence, where there is no shortage of beautiful villages, Tourrettes remains relatively unknown.

Perched on a hillside, it has the charm of these small towns whose steep streets are home to a host of artists' and craftsmen's workshops.

Its existence has been attested since the 11th century.

Do not miss.

The village is a real open-air museum: some 80 works – frescoes, ceramics or sculptures – are exhibited along the streets.

The artistic vocation of Tourrettes is reflected in the Museum of Art and Essays which exhibits the creations of Paul-Maurice Perrier-Morillon, an artist keen on brassware.

The Saint-André church, whose steeple is covered with glazed tiles, stands out against the Tourrettan sky;

just like the clock tower or the massive Château du Puy.

From the town hall square, the view embraces part of the Pays de Fayence, the Massif des Maures and the Estérel.

Party side.

We will not fail to sit on the terrace of La Pause Tourrettane, where Provençal cuisine is in the spotlight.

The evenings continue at La Vigne Vincent, a wine bar where you can taste the wines of the region.

Finally, the luxury hotel complex Terre Blanche has several restaurants: the bistronomic Les Caroubiers, the gourmet Le Gaudina and the starred Le Faventia, where chef Christophe Schmitt sublimates the local terroir.

Find out more:

paysdefayence.com

Read alsoThree ways to explore the Estérel, a dream balcony over the Mediterranean

Needles

Perched above the Sainte-Croix lake, Aiguines is located at the exit of the Gorges du Verdon, the largest canyon in Europe.

Var Tourism / Olivier Simon

Perched above the Sainte-Croix lake, Aiguines is located at the exit of the Gorges du Verdon, the largest canyon in Europe.

An extraordinary panorama is offered to visitors from the squares and alleys of the village.

Below, the Renaissance castle attracts all eyes with its polychrome glazed tiled roofs.

Do not miss.

The Museum of Woodturners presents an extraordinary collection of boxwood objects carved by local craftsmen, famous since the 16th century for their know-how.

Pétanque balls, formerly made of studded wood, were made in Aiguines!

Once you have discovered the squares and alleys of the village, you can consider going on a hike.

If the Imbut trail descends to the bottom of the Verdon gorges, the Grand Margès trail climbs to the top of a 1576 m rocky peak.

The passage of the Galetas bridge, which spans the Verdon at the exit of the Gorges, offers a great moment.

In season, it is possible to swim there and to rent a boat to go up the gorges, over 2 km.

Party side.

Several unpretentious restaurants enliven the village in summer.

The terrace of the Vieux Château, facing the fountain, is our favorite.

On the heights, L'Aigle has a wonderful panoramic terrace from which you can see the lavender fields of Valensole.

Ideal for a drink with a view.

Before leaving, stop at one of the wood turners to pick up some souvenirs.

Find out more:

lacs-gorges-verdon.fr

Read alsoGorges du Verdon, four life-size activities

Entrecasteaux

The superb Château d'Entrecasteaux.

Jean Tiffon / Le Figaro

In the heart of a hilly landscape where vineyards and olive groves alternate, here is a pocket village with powerful charm.

Its tree-lined course unrolls beautiful terraces, lulled by the gurgling of a fountain.

But what attracts visitors is the superb castle.

Do not miss.

A masterpiece of Provençal architecture, the castle was rebuilt between the 16th and 17th centuries and embellished with a French-style garden, signed Le Nôtre.

The visit allows you to discover a precious decor from the 18th century as well as the memories of its owners, in particular François Adhémar de Monteil, Count of Grignan and son-in-law of the Marquise de Sévigné.

The upper part of the village can be explored happily in the cool hours: fortified church, old buildings, chapels or squares, nothing is missing!

Party side.

Few addresses in this small village.

Mandatory stop at one of the course terraces, which offer spectacular views of the castle and its gardens.

Find out more:

la-provence-verte.net

Read alsoWine tourism: in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, discovering a confidential vineyard

Practical notebook

GO

Lorgues

From Aix-en-Provence, take the A8 motorway (direction Nice), exit n°35 (Brignoles).

Then take the DN7 for 52 km towards Draguignan.

The nearest train station is in Vidauban.

Collobrieres

From Toulon, take the A57 motorway (direction Nice), exit n°10 (Pierrefeu-du-Var).

Then take the D14 for 21 km towards Collobrières.

The nearest train station is in Cuers.

tourrettes

From Fréjus, take the A8 motorway (direction Nice), exit n°39 (Fayence).

Then take the D37 then the D562 for 30 km towards Fayence then Tourrettes.

The nearest train station is in Fréjus or Mandelieu-la-Napoule.

Needles

From Draguignan, take the D49 for 45 km towards Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.

The nearest train station is in Draguignan.

Entrecasteaux

From Brignoles, take the D554, the D562 then the D31 for 25 km towards Salernes.

The nearest train station is in Vidauban.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2022-03-23

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