Draguignan Area

A splendid dolmen, now a listed monument. Signposted access from D 955 road towards Comps-sur-Artuby.

Legend tells that once upon a time there was a fairy who liked to dress as a shepherdess. One day, she seduced a clever young man from the village, and agreed to marry him on condition that the wedding be celebrated on a table comprising 3 stones, of which she drew a picture. The young man recognized the boulders that had fallen from the neighbouring mountain. He managed to stand up 2 of the stones, but the third was too heavy and he was sure he had lost the hand of his beloved. During the night, the fairy hoisted the 3rd stone with her magic powers and placed it on the other two. When the young man discovered what had happened, he understood he was unworthy of the fairy and was condemned to die. He died and was turned to stone.

This monument comprises a chalk flagstone chamber and dry stone walls, separated by a corridor running between two pillars. It is situated at the top of the hill overlooking the hamlet of St-Jaume. To get there, take the Carcès road towards "Chemin des Combes" and cross "Traverse de la Douce". Park 200m further on near the water tank, then take the forest path. Turn left after the tank. Continue for 150m after the crossroads. A little path on your left leads to the dolmen.

Le musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires
Dans un cadre exceptionnel de vastes maisons bourgeoises, ce musée d’ethnologie régionale vous invite à la découverte de la Provence Varoise des XIX° et XX° siècles. Au fil de ses 2 étages et de ses centaines d’objets, vous découvrirez la richesse et l’inventivité des savoir-faire ruraux et artisanaux : le travail de la terre, la culture des céréales, de la vigne, des oliviers, la fabrication des bouchons, des tomettes, l’élevage des moutons et la transhumance, la religion populaire, la fête…

Le musée de l'artillerie
Installé au cœur de l’Ecole d’Artillerie de Draguignan, ce musée retrace l’histoire et l’évolution technique et tactique de l’artillerie du XV° siècle à nos jours (très belles collections de canons, d’armes et d’uniformes). Musée d’histoire et de société, ce musée est aussi un lieu d’apprentissage de la citoyenneté qui donne des clefs de compréhension sur le monde d’aujourd’hui.

Ces 2 musées font partie du réseau Pass Sites départemental. more +

This pretty 12th-century chapel set on a rocky spur overlooking the village of Comps is a listed monument. It was formerly part of a large Knights Templar Commanderie.

The roof of this austere chapel is laid with stone tiles. The 16th century bell tower is laid with glazed polychrome tiles.

Comps is home to several remarkable Romanesque chapels such as Chapelle St-Jean and Chapelle St-Didier.

Le Lachens is the rooftop of the Var, and comprises the first foothill of the Alps. Its two summits stand at 1685 metres (orientation table at the summit) and 1,714 metres.

This site offers fabulous panoramic views over the Var, stretching from the Massif de la Sainte-Baume to Mont Faron in the south-west, the Mediterranean Sea to the South, the summits of Corsica to the south-east in fine weather and the mountains of the Massif du Mercantour and Massif de l'Argentera to the north-east.

Bordering the Alps, Haute Provence and Var regions, the Verdon nature reserve spans 46 towns and covers a surface area of 445,000 acres. It features two sightseeing jewels: Sainte-Croix lake and the spectacular Verdon Grand Canyon, scored into the chalky plateaux of Provence. more +

Saint-Martin's collegiate church is a listed monument, built between 1704 and 1729 and designed by the Aix-born architect Veyrier, who worked on it until 1711 before being replaced by the Toulon-born architect Pomet. It is a vast building with 3 naves. The octagonal bell tower has remained unfinished.

Many works of art decorate the church, such as the altar piece purchased in 1784 from the Pères Observantins of Marseille when their abbey was destroyed and a Virgin by Pierre Puget, dated 1694, transported to the church from Thoronet abbey in 1806.

The church is also home to a fine organ (listed monument) built in 1837 and designed by Augustin Zeiger.

Saint-Martin's collegiate church is one of the Var's largest classic-style churches. It forms the centrepiece of the village of Lorgues and can be seen from far and wide.

The river Nartuby crosses the whole Draguignan area. It cascades down in a magnificent 22-metre waterfall in La Motte, known as the "Saut du Capelan".

The waterfall can be reached via a country lane bordered by vines and orchards.


Jardin des Senteurs in Figanières

Installed on the ruins of the Château des Comte de Vintimille, this beautiful landscaped site features a priest's garden, medieval garden with a beautiful rose bower and Renaissance garden abounding with herbs and medicinal plants.

Aménagé sur les ruines du château des Comte de Vintimille, ce jardin se découvre par sa périphérie et incite le promeneur à mettre en éveil tous ses sens. Il est conçu pour qu’au détour de chaque pas, une nouvelle scène s’offre à lui, l’eau est présente partout et le jardin vit aux rythmes des saisons sous le climat méditerranéen d’altitude en zone froide. Ici, un jardin de curé, un coin de garrigue ; là, des azalées et des rhododendrons ; ailleurs un jardin d'amour médiéval avec une tonnelle surchargée de roses ; ailleurs encore, un jardin renaissance qui rassemble plantes aromatiques et médicinales.
Aucun traitement chimique, seul l’équilibre biologique remarquable permet de maintenir son homogénéité.

Situated in an ancient oil mill, this museum is dedicated to the Liberation of Provence by airborne troops on the night of August 14th – 15th. more +

Teetering on a rocky spur at an altitude of over 1000 metres, Bargème is the Var's highest village. It is part of the "Plus Beaux Villages de France" and "Villages de Caractère du Var" networks. more +

Built in white stone, this medieval castle, flanked by four round towers, stands on a jutting, triangular spur, proudly overlooking the village. It is thought to have been built in the 10th century by the monks of Saint Victor Abbey in Marseille, and has been largely reworked over the centuries.

Vaulted rooms and a water tank were added in the 14th and 15th centuries. Destroyed during the Revolution, its stones were used for many years by the village inhabitants. Restored between 1960 and 1970, it is now a three-star hotel-restaurant, welcoming guests in an admirably-rendered medieval setting. more +

Rising to a height of 1,715 metres, Mont Lachens is the Var's highest mountain. Its summit offers magnificent views over 5 French administrative departments, the Italian Alps and Corsica when the weather is fine.

It is home to an exceptionally rich blend of Mediterranean and Alpine flora and fauna. more +

This listed monument harbours the glass shrine sheltering the body of Sainte Roseline. The chapel also features many 16th and 17th pieces, plus beautiful contemporary works including a mosaic by Chagall, bronze sculptures by Giacometti and stained glass windows by Ubac and Bazaine. more +

Legend tells that giant water fights took place every year in Bargemon on Saint John's Day, but that this tradition was restricted after a time by the local authorities. One day, when the town crier was shouting out a reminder to the locals, he received a large bucket of water on his head. From that day on, the custom was severely punished!

Bargemon's most remarkable fountain is situated on Place Chauvier. This 18th-century fountain is a listed monument. The village's other fountains, including Fontaine de La Carafe (Place de la Mairie) and Fontaine de la Couchoire at the village exit, heading towards Montferrat, are also the pride of the village. more +

Située aux Arcs-sur-Argens, la Maison des Vins est un espace d'accueil aux infrastructures modernes qui abrite une vinothèque de 750 bouteilles. Le Caveau de dégustation, ouvert tous les jours, propose au public une dégustation des vins de l'appellation.
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Une invitation à découvrir sans modération l’histoire et le patrimoine varois, avec plus de 29 sites culturels qui vous ouvrent leurs portes à tarifs préférentiels. Des jardins, des musées, des lieux d'exposition, des chapelles et des abbayes... le Var, est une terre de richesses, de couleurs et d'émotions que nous voulons vous faire partager !

Le Pass-sites est un concept départemental "Rendez-vous Découvertes". more +