Slopes steeped in history | Petit Bessillon in Pontevès

Park in the Grand Jardin car park opposite the school, in the centre of the village of Pontevès.

Please note: this loop can be done in either direction with the following options:
- via the north side, from Place des Martyrs du Bessillon, take the Chemin du Bessillon opposite the church, then the DFCI track and/or the path that winds around it. The fairly steep climb begins at the cistern and continues to the two orientation tables on the eastern summit of Petit Bessillon. Crossing the ridge takes you to the western summit
- via the south-west side. From the car park, follow the signs for Petit Bessillon. The climb is gentler and goes around the western summit before reaching the eastern summit.
Here, the route is described following the^second option.

(S/E) At the start of the circuit, take the path marked in red, which is part of the PR® "Des Carmes au Petit Bessillon" trail corresponding to the ascent of Petit Bessillon. Turn right immediately and go up Rue des Puits. You will soon reach the junction with the Frégourières botanical trail.

(1) Leave this trail on your left and continue straight ahead. Cross the botanical trail again and continue straight ahead until you reach another crossroads.

(2) Turn left, still following the red markings. Continue climbing the ridge up the Petit Bessillon. Be careful on this section: in several places, the rock has been cut to create steps, stones have been laid, and iron chains and handrails have been installed to make hiking easier in rough or difficult-to-access areas. The ridge has been secured with a guardrail.
Reach the eastern summit, cross the remains of an old fort and a scree slope and take advantage of the two orientation tables here.

3:: Turn left at 90° to begin the descent heading north. The descent is quite steep. Steps and water channels help you along the way. Watch out for areas of loose rocks. Reach the junction with the DFCI track at a cistern.

(4) Turn left onto the DFCI track. The red-marked trail winds around the track, crosses it and follows it in places. At the end of the track, continue straight ahead on Chemin du Bessillon. At the oratory, go up either the street on the right (Chemin du Bessillon) or the street on the left (Rue Saint Michel). This will take you to the Grand Jardin car park (S/E).

Please respect other people's property and the natural environment.
Remember to consult the fire risk alert map on the Var Prefecture website and find out about hunting seasons, hunting days and battues.
Wear suitable footwear.
There are several car parks available:
- l'Esplanade, Grand Jardin car park next to the school, the village hall and the town hall,
- and the castle car park.

The Randonner Autrement à Pontevès trail: slopes steeped in history invites you to discover beautiful views of the village of Pontevès and its plain, the Bessillons, and a 360° panorama from the ridge between the two peaks of the Bessillon.
The vegetation also has a story to tell. Observe how it varies according to altitude, the south-facing (adret) or north-facing (ubac) slopes, the nature of the soil, and its recovery after the fires..
Please note.
The Bessillons were formed during the uplifting of the Pyrenees and then the Alps.
Their name comes from the Provençal word bessoun, meaning twin.
During the hike
Signpost for the Randonner Autrement trail in Pontevès
L'Esplanade, Grand Jardin car park, on the wall below the school, near the village hall and town hall.
(2) As you leave the village towards Petit Bessillon, you will see a sign for the Frégourières trail. This is a circular route with information panels about the local flora and heritage.
The lowest peak of Petit Bessillon rises to 639 m. A flag is planted here every 1 May during the Bessillons festival.
The ridge between the two peaks offers a 360° view.
(3) At the eastern peak, the highest at 668 metres, cross the remains of an old fort and a scree slope. A heritage marker provides more information about the site.
A first orientation table offers a 180° view of the landscape to the south of Petit Bessillon. A little further away on the other side of the summit, a second orientation table is installed on a rocky outcrop. It shows the landscape to the north.
A little earlier (4) on the DFCI track below Petit Bessillon, a commemorative plaque on the left indicates that an olive tree was planted by children during the Bessillons festival.

Near the hike
The Provence Verdon Community of Communes is part of the Provence Verte Verdon Land of Art and History. Discover the heritage trails in the villages: Let the Land of Art and History tell its story.
Along the route, you will come across various signs. They are part of the village heritage trail: Laissez-vous conter Pontevès (Let Pontevès tell its story). Take advantage of the trail's stop in the village to discover its heritage.
Also worth seeing in Pontevès.
- pontevès Castle,
- gros Bessillon and its orientation tables (on the border with the village of Cotignac)
- EuroVelo 8, the Mediterranean cycle route, which crosses Provence Verdon from Rians to Fox-Amphoux
Near Pontevès.
- Croix du Castellas and its orientation table in Barjols,
- Vallon des Carmes nature reserve in Barjols, developed and enhanced with educational panels. To get there, follow the PR® des Carmes to Petit Bessillon and the signpost at the exit of the Grand Jardin car park indicating Vallon des Carmes 3 km away
- Randonner Autrement trail: Le trésor du Petit peuple (The treasure of the little people) in Fox-Amphoux,
- other hiking ideas in the PR® guide: La Provence Verte... on foot