Discover the hilltop villages of Pays de Fayence!

The fine weather is here, the sun is shining brightly and the mild temperatures invite you to escape to the Côte d’Azur. Straddling the slopes of the Estérel and the first folds of the Alps, the Pays de Fayence is home to a flotilla of nine hilltop villages. Just thirty kilometres from the Gulf of Saint-Raphaël, nature overflows with generosity, the region’s rich heritage is admirable, and a few vineyards add a touch of intoxicating good food.

In the heart of the Var forest with Bagnols and Saint-Paul-en-Forêt

Bagnols-en-Forêt: its name alone evokes its location close to splendid forests offering marvellous views. Numerous traces of prehistoric occupation remain, including the Oppidum de la Forteresse and the Anciennes Tailleries de Meules, which can be explored on hikes along majestic ridges offering panoramic views all the way to the sea. A village on the edge of the Estérel massif, Saint-Paul-en-Forêt is full of authentic little streets. It is the starting point for a number of hikes. Climbers will not be outdone by the world-famous walls of the Blavet gorges. A stroll to Lac du Rioutard, a picnic on the banks of the River Endre or a walk along the botanical trail will allow you to discover the local flora and fauna.

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The villages of Fayence and Tourrettes: pearls of the Pays de Fayence!

These two jewels are easy to spot from the plain.

The village of Fayence takes on the air of a grande dame, with its beautiful heritage including an old wash-house, ancient ovens and the admirable Romanesque chapel of Notre-Dame des Cyprès. The old streets climb up to take in the magical panorama at the top of the village. Don’t miss the traditional market in the heart of the village on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The clock tower and its campanile mark the hours while an orientation table deciphers the horizon. Fayence can also be discovered from the air, as it is one of the leading centres for gliding in France.

With its creative soul, the village of Tourrettes is a veritable open-air museum. Its narrow streets are dotted with works of art by local artists: ceramics, paintings and sculptures. A glimpse of the distant horizons of the Côte d’Azur and the astonishing Château du Puy will delight your eyes!

The elegance of the villages of Callian and Seillans and Mons, the highest perched village!

Classified as a “Village de Caractère”, Callian offers a lovely panoramic view of the Tanneron and Esterel Massifs from its summit. Here you’ll find centuries-old houses with pretty flower-decked facades. Overlooked by Mont Lachens, Mons is the highest perched village. It offers an exceptional panorama, and on a clear day you can even see the Corsican peaks! The surrounding area boasts a heritage of megaliths dating back to 3000 BC. Seillans has all the hallmarks of a typical Provencal village, with its hillside houses, cobbled streets, vaulted passageways and squares where the fountains sing. The village also delights epicureans with its admirable olive oils and Côtes de Provence.

From Montauroux to Tanneron, wild landscapes

From the town hall square in Montauroux, flanked by a pretty bell tower, you walk through the old town centre to the chapel of Saint-Barthélémy. Its walls are covered entirely in painted wood panels. It was once owned by Christian Dior, who had family ties here. He also owned the Château de la Colle Noire, which can be approached on the way down to Lake Saint-Cassien. From the Fondurane biological reserve to the leisure centre, where you can spend time with the whole family and visit the little creeks, there’s everything you need for a relaxing holiday! The fireworks are set off by the village of Tanneron, the largest mimosa forest in France. As well as the superb views it offers, every year the village is the scene of an extraordinary explosion of yellow bouquets. You can visit the forceries, places designed to encourage the flowering and durability of this very fragile flower.

ACTIVITIES IN THE PAYS DE FAYENCE!

IN THE FAYENCE REGION

Escapade au PAYS DE FAYENCE : entre villages et montagnes ☀

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