Tour of the Oppidum de Meren in Le Cannet des Maures

Short hike in the Provençal countryside before climbing up to see the remains of the Oppidum de Meren and ending with a magnificent view of Vieux Cannet and the Argens plain.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.00 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 236 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 242 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 378 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 169 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the entrance to Vieux Cannet.

(S/E) After parking, return to the road leading to Le Cannet des Maures and turn left onto Route du Vieux Cannet.

(1) Take the Clance forest track (M89) on the right. Walk along the Réal Martin stream on your right. Pass a water tower on your left. Follow the forest track along the stream, walking alongside vineyards, ignoring the various paths that cross it.

(2) Continue climbing north-east on a path with olive trees on your left and the Réal Martin stream on your right. Follow this path, which goes around the oppidum of Meren.

(3) At the crossroads, turn right onto the path leading from Vieux Cannet to Thoronet.

(4) When you reach another fire hydrant, leave the Vieux Cannet path and take the path on the right that climbs steeply and then turns left. You will arrive at the fork that leads to the Oppidum. Make a round trip to the right, even though the Oppidum remains hidden in the woods.

(5) Continue downhill towards Le Cannet. Pass by the old lookout tower and follow a path that crosses the second part of the Oppidum. Turn left shortly afterwards (it is possible to continue straight ahead, but the descent is difficult).

(6) Go up the wooden stairs and turn right to see the superb view of Vieux Cannet and the Argens plain. Retrace your steps to rejoin the path that leads to the Vieux Cannet trail at Le Thoronet.

(7) Turn sharply right onto this track, which leads back to Vieux Cannet. Join a tarmac road and arrive at the crossroads with the road leading to Vieux Cannet on the left (or Le Cannet on the right).
Retrace your steps, passing in front of the Chapel of Notre-Dame de l'Espoir, and return to the car park (A/D).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 234 m - Parking at the entrance to Vieux Cannet.
  2. 1 : km 1.21 - alt. 169 m - On the right, Clance forest track
  3. 2 : km 2.56 - alt. 218 m - Follow the north-east trail.
  4. 3 : km 3.32 - alt. 270 m - Turn right at the crossroads of the Vieux Cannet track.
  5. 4 : km 3.88 - alt. 311 m - Turn right at the fire hydrant.
  6. 5 : km 4.32 - alt. 359 m - Turn-off towards the Oppidum
  7. 6 : km 5.74 - alt. 293 m - Turn right towards the viewpoint.
  8. 7 : km 6.19 - alt. 275 m - Turn right towards Vieux Cannet.
  9. S/E : km 7 - alt. 233 m - Parking at the entrance to Vieux Cannet.

Notes

Parking at the entrance to the village of Vieux Cannet.

No water source.

From 20 June to 21 September, check the Var Prefecture website for authorisation to access forest areas due to the risk of fire:

http://www.var.gouv.fr/acces-aux-massifs...

Worth a visit

The Oppidum is buried under the woods, but traces are still visible, and an information panel provides a good overview of the site.

There is a beautiful view of Vieux Cannet and the Argens plain at the point (:6).

A visit to Vieux Cannet is interesting for those who wish to visit a Provençal village that has retained its old-world charm.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
RENAUD Alain
RENAUD Alain
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A relatively easy hike that is very well described. It is pleasant as soon as you leave the Cannet road and take the track, with a beautiful climb to the Oppidum, which unfortunately is a little disappointing, like many others.
On the way back to point 6, the view is blocked by vegetation and is not worth the return trip.
Finish the walk with a visit to the old village, which is well worth seeing.

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BiiDii
BiiDii

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Announced as taking 2 hours and 40 minutes, we did it in 2 hours and 5 minutes without rushing. There are few beautiful views as most of the route is through a valley or forest. The old village of Le Cannet-des-Maures is worth a visit. Do this after the walk to end on a high note. Before setting off, check that there is no hunting in progress.

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cotin
cotin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy hike. Superb weather.
However, is the detour to the oppidum worthwhile? That's up to you, as I don't think the site is of much interest to the uninitiated, but why not?

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FAVELOUNS83
FAVELOUNS83

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

THIS ROUTE IS EASY. NOTHING SPECTACULAR, BUT THE VISIT TO THE CLASS VILLAGE IS WORTH THE DETOUR.

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jk0683
jk0683

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike, punctuated by the discovery of the Oppidum de Méren.

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GOGO
GOGO

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short, easy and pleasant walk, but its appeal is relative. Few viewpoints, with roads and forest tracks a little too prominent. However, it is an enjoyable route between 1 and 2 and between 4 and 6.

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mamina83400
mamina83400

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A walk through a beautiful oak forest, a disappointing site despite two information boards (you need to have a very vivid imagination). No views except for a viewpoint over the village of Le Vieux Cannet at the lowest point of the route.

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Borucrinia
Borucrinia

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The hike is fairly easy except for a fairly steep section on the climb up to the oppidum.
During the first part, the path winds its way through the vineyards, but I regretted the lack of views of the landscape as we climbed higher.
Ultimately, it's still an interesting hike for those who enjoy walking in the forest.

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kiwinousse
kiwinousse

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant route offering magnificent views on a clear day. The oppidum is practically buried, but its distinctive feature is its size: two clearly separate areas, north and south. The track between 7 and 4 follows the old Decauville railway line, which was used to transport bauxite ore.
We highly recommend ending your walk with a visit to the picturesque old village (Castrum du Caneto), which is still inhabited and perfectly maintained.

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