Walk to the old Garrot mine and the Roman aqueduct at Les Esterets

Please note: the route can only be completed in dry weather as it involves crossing a ford.

The starting point is at the car park in front of the town hall annex (free).

(S/E) Opposite the town hall annex, take Avenue des Esterets on the right and ignore the various streets on the right or left. The main road leads to a track.

(1) Take the track and continue until you reach the signs for "Les Esterets du Lac". At this intersection, continue straight ahead, ignoring the G527 "Les crêtes" track on the right. You will arrive at the bridge located on the site of the former Garrot mines. Access has been walled off for safety reasons.

(2) Continue along the track until the next intersection. Take the track straight ahead and ignore the one that goes up to the right.

(3) At the crossroads, you will see the ford below, which you will need to use on the way back. For now, take the wide track on the right. At the intersection (signposted), continue straight ahead towards "Malpasset par la piste". Continue along this track, which offers views of the ruins of the old Roman aqueduct on the left.

(4) At the arch, retrace your steps to the crossroads with a view of the ford you saw on the way there.

(3) Continue straight ahead on the track that leads to the ruins of the Malpasset Dam (3 km one way). Cross the ford and follow the track up to the barrier. If the ford is impassable, you can return via the same route as the Garrot mines (an extra 1.7 km in total).

(5) At the barrier, take the track on the left until you reach the road. Continue straight ahead for about 100 metres and take the stairs on the left.

(6) This takes you back down to the town hall square on the left (S/E).

Opening period: all year round, subject to favourable weather conditions.

Contact:

Telephone: 04 94 76 01 02

Email: contact@paysdefayence.com

Website: www.paysdefayence.com

Visitor alert:

During the summer, check the opening times of the mountains before setting off on a hike.
This route is located in the Estérel mountain range.
Consult the map, which is updated daily by the prefecture.

The ore is used as a flux, making the slag more fluid, which helps to remove phosphorus and sulphur. Between the two wars, it provided 100,000 tonnes of metallurgical spath, mainly exported to the United States. After an interruption in 1944, mining resumed in 1947, but had to cease during the construction of the Malpasset dam. After the dam burst (2 December 1959), reduced activity continued until 1972. The Garrot vein stretched 3 km (north-south) and 1 km (east-west). The Roman aqueduct was built at the beginning of^{the 1st} century to supply water to Forum Julii (Fréjus). It carried water from the Siagnole at the foot of Mons to Fréjus over a distance of 40 km with a drop of 485 metres. The construction of numerous arches was necessary. Many have disappeared, particularly those submerged by Lake Saint-Cassien. The Jaumin arch, visible on the left of the track leading to the ruins of the dam, is the first arch still visible when coming from Mons. It can be accessed from the CD 37 (from the motorway, the RN7 or Lake St Cassien). Take the junction signposted "Domaine les Estérêts du lac". You will arrive at the roundabout in front of the town hall annex.

Tips and suggestions:

Things to see along the way:
- The old Garrot mines
- The Roman ruins of the aqueduct