Pays de Fayence Tourisme

Very easy hike suitable for young children. The route runs alongside the Petit Riou (dry in summer) and benefits from the shade of the trees and the coolness of the valley. Magnificent waterfall at the end of the route: the Gourbachin. "Along the way, the Vauloube rushes from the top of a porphyry bank into a hollow, a veritable green chasm, where its waters, which are often turbulent after the slightest storm, have carved out a magnificent gour." The waterfall is no less than six metres high and, thanks to the overhanging rock, walkers can walk all the way around it, passing under the waterfall. The walk is fun and charming, ending at the Gour Bachin, which is a marvel." This text by L. Henseling, dating from 1934, is still relevant today.

A very pleasant walk through the heart of the Royal Forest, with its downy oaks, cork oaks and hornbeams. Several species of birds can be observed, including woodcocks and kingfishers. During the hike, you will enjoy magnificent views of Lake Méaulx. The inhabitants of Saint-Paul, steeped in a strong forestry culture, have always known how to draw resources from this forest: timber for building houses and ships, acorns for feeding pigs, wood for heating and fuelling lime kilns and craft kilns, particularly for firing tiles and glassware. From the16th century onwards, the Royal Navy consumed large quantities of timber for its ships. Today, the Royal Forest is no longer exploited, but with its downy oaks, cork oaks and hornbeams, it is a very pleasant place to walk.

Lake Saint-Cassien is held back by a dam on the Biançon river, designed to provide electricity. Take advantage of this hike to admire the magnificent views of the lake and the dam. The lake covers an area of 420 hectares. It is also fed by a diversion from the Siagne river. A fishing spot that attracts many enthusiasts of all nationalities, it is home to particularly large carp and catfish. It also serves as a training ground for rowing clubs and a water collection site for Canadair aircraft during forest fires. Lake Saint-Cassien is located in the municipalities of Montauroux, Tanneron, Callian and Les Adrets de l'Estérel. After this beautiful walk, don't hesitate to take advantage of the water sports activities offered by the lake.

A pleasant short hike through the woods, with a view of the sea, Saint-Raphaël and the Estérel halfway along the route. Majestic pines, oaks and even olive trees line the trail. In spring, rockroses will brighten up your walk, in summer cicadas and in autumn heather. At the beginning of the last century, the Var was France's largest producer of cork. The actual harvest, known as "levage", depends on the health of the tree, the heat and the rise of the sap from early June to early August. The first harvests are unsuitable for making corks and are used for insulation. After nine years, when the bark is about three centimetres thick, it is harvested to make corks. Cork also protects the tree during fires.

Between the Maures mountains and the forests of Fayence, Seillans and Saint-Paul-en-Fôret, this hike takes you to the 11-hectare Lac de Meaulx in a densely wooded and green environment. The Riou de Méaulx hillside reservoir was built by the Syndicat Intercommunal pour l'Aménagement du Cours Supérieur de l'Endre (Intercommunal Association for the Development of the Upper Endre River). Lac de Méaulx, straddling the municipalities of Saint-Paul-en-Forêt, Seillans and Fayence, was filled with water in December 1981. The reservoir has a capacity of 900,000 m3 and a surface area of 16 hectares. Its maximum length is 1 km and the dam is 20 metres high. The lake was used as a support area for forest fire defence. Following damage, it was emptied in October 2006. Currently owned by the Community of Municipalities, it was refilled in early 2017 after renovation work.

Lac du Rioutard is a hillside reservoir dating back to 1974. During this hike, discover an exceptional natural setting and a botanical trail created in 2007 by the Respire association, where you can learn about Mediterranean plant species. The dam covers an area of 5.8 hectares and has a capacity of 200,000 m³ of water. The dam is 14 metres high. Fishing enthusiasts can try their hand at catching tench, carp or perch. The botanical trail is marked by around thirty botanical panels highlighting Mediterranean plant species: stone pine, maritime pine, cork oak, holm oak, Montpellier rockrose, arbutus, juniper, tree heath, cade, mastic tree, thorny broom, thyme, etc.

A family hike to discover Mons, the Oratory of Saint-Pierre and the Riens megalith. The Riens dolmen is located in the centre of a tumulus and housed collective tombs. The commune of Mons has several dolmens from the late Neolithic period, which bear witness to an important social group more than 4,000 years ago. The capstones of the Riens dolmen are missing; it housed collective tombs. One of them probably lies on the ground on the north side, the other has disappeared. The entrance to the chamber is very unusual, with an ogive shape not found anywhere else. Two other dolmens without capstones can be seen on the path leading to Escragnoles: the Colle dolmen and the Brainée dolmen.

A hike between two hilltop villages! Set off to explore Montauroux and Callian by taking the GR® de Pays trail in the Chapelle Saint-Donat valley. The hike starts in the village of Callian.

The shepherds of Provence offer us wonders along this short hike: the drystone shelters and their exceptional architecture. The Seillan drystone shelters were built between the18th and19th centuries, a period when land clearing and cultivation developed. The hills were then all cultivated in terraces, restanques and banquettes where chickpeas, wheat, barley, vines, olive trees and fruit trees grew. These huts provided shelter for farmers and their tools. Shaped like igloos, they maintain the same temperature in summer and winter, providing good protection against the heat or the mistral wind. Why are there so many drystone shelters in Seillans (more than 80!) and so few in neighbouring villages? It remains a mystery!

Carved into red volcanic rock, the gorges offer beautiful geological features such as the Grotte de Muéron, one of the major climbing sites in the Var, and at the heart of this hike. At the foot of one of these many cliffs, you will find the prehistoric Muéron cave, which was occupied 10,000 years BC. From its very wide entrance, it extends deep into the rock and still provides shelter from storms today. Its proximity to the Blavet river and forests (a source of fuel), its southern exposure and its commanding view of the valley made it possible to follow wild herds and made it particularly attractive for camps during the Bronze Age.

Enjoyable hike on the GR®49. Overlook the lake with magnificent views and let yourself be carried away by the small paths that will lead you to the lake's edge. Les Esterets du Lac is an estate that was created in the commune of Montauroux. It was a hunting ground on which trade unionists from Thompson and other companies planned to build a housing and commercial development. To this end, they formed a cooperative in 1970, "Le Soleil des Adrets", and began construction. After various ups and downs, a developer took over the work in 1991. This neighbourhood developed rapidly and its population, attracted by the charm of the site and its proximity to the lake and the motorway, now exceeds 1,400 inhabitants.

During this hike, you will discover the restored old Boudoura wash house and the ruins of the Moulin Brûlé mill, now disused. The forest is bordered to the north by the Siagnole, to the south by the Camiole, and to the west by the Chautard: so much water! To the north of the Tuilerie or Tuilière plateau and Lavagne lies the Tourrettes State Forest, criss-crossed by numerous underground and above-ground canals and aqueducts, dotted with manholes and water catchments: the Acates, the Jas Neuf, Fontanouille, and Font-Bouillen.

Set against a majestic backdrop, this hike retraces a painful historical event: the collapse of the Malpasset Dam, which caused a deadly flood to sweep through the town of Fréjus on the night of 2 December 1959. This spath-fluorite deposit was discovered in themid-19th century. Initially mined by hand to supply glassworks, it was later actively exploited for the steel and aluminium industries.

A pleasant hike to do in good weather to enjoy the view. You will discover an old millstone quarry in the heart of the red rocks with magnificent views! Enjoy the view to the south over the sea and the Argens plain and to the north over the village and the Haut-Var mountains.

An easy walk that showcases the heritage of Mons (dolmen, old canal, wash house, chapel, etc.). This walk combines culture and family fun, with clear views of Cannes and Saint-Raphaël at the start of the route. At the end of the walk, you will find yourself almost in the heart of the village of Mons, classified as a "village of character". The Écho du Baou association offers guided and commented tours of this walk. It is a hiking route and a digital trail.