Turned wooden balls and woodturning have shaped Aiguines’ history, as have the trails to viewpoints and through the Verdon Gorges. During your stay, you can choose between a walk through the lanes, a short walk to a viewpoint over Lac de Sainte-Croix, and hikes in the surrounding area. You can also discover the local woodcraft firsthand: Aiguines offers courses and an activity where you can turn a wooden bowl yourself.
Woodworking and Local History
From the 16th century onward, Aiguines was known for high-quality wood carving and turning. Its products included turned wooden balls, which were traded widely until the 1920s. At the heart of the village is the Musée des tourneurs sur bois. The École de tournage sur bois Escoulen welcomes participants for woodturning courses throughout the year. Its offerings include short courses, usually lasting one week and held during six months of the year, as well as a six-month long-term training program comprising 700 hours of instruction. Alongside discovering the history of the craft, visitors can therefore choose from learning formats of different lengths.
The Aiguines discovery trail introduces visitors to the town’s crafts and heritage; it is available from the tourist information center. The 2.0-kilometer “Entre nature et patrimoine” circular route also starts in Aiguines and leads through the lanes. Along the way, it explores the history and natural and cultural heritage of the village. Both options invite visitors to connect local history not only with a single building, but also with the village and its trails.
Chapel, Viewpoints and Château
The Romanesque Chapelle Saint-Pierre served as the parish church of the medieval village. The viewpoint by the chapel overlooks Lac de Sainte-Croix. The quickest way to reach it is from the parking lot opposite Camping Aigle, along the Chemin de Vaumalle; the walk takes about five minutes. Check local access conditions before your visit.
Another panoramic view awaits you at Col d’Illoire, from where you can see Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Verdon Gorges. Château d’Aiguines, on the other hand, is privately owned and cannot be visited. Its terraced garden is protected as a Monument Historique. The garden’s protected status does not change the fact that the Château itself is not open to visitors.
Hiking and Nature
The trails offer different perspectives on the landscape. The Sentier du Col d’Illoire passes through the Vaumale cirque and offers views of the Verdon Gorges. The Les Cavaliers–Aiguines section of the long-distance trail through the Verdon Gorges passes through Aiguines’ beech forest before descending to the hilltop village. The forest is designated as a controlled biological reserve. The hike to Grand Margès leads to the third-highest peak in the Var département; the route also offers views of the Verdon Gorges.
There is one important restriction to bear in mind when planning hikes: according to a notice dated May 20, 2025, the Imbut trail has been closed until further notice since July 5, 2022, along the section from the descent at Les Cavaliers to the exit of the Vidal trail. Check current access conditions before setting out. Conditions on the other routes mentioned here may also change, so take this into account when planning.
Lake, Activities and Getting Here by Bike
You can swim in the lake at Galetas Beach. Water sports equipment is also available to rent there; motorboats and combustion engines are prohibited. The route is accessible to everyone. The cycling route along the left bank leads to Aiguines, offering another way to make the village your destination.
For an activity with a set duration, Roc n’Vol’s discovery day in Aiguines includes a tandem flight lasting 45 minutes to one hour, depending on the weather. Atelier Monnier offers a half-day activity where, with guidance from a woodturner, you can make your own wooden bowl. Another way to explore the village is the “Le Cristal d’artisanat” treasure hunt, in which visitors solve a mystery in the village. You can tailor your stay to your interests—woodworking, village history, the lake or hiking trails—without trying to fit everything into a single itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Le Luc, Sanary-Sur-Mer, Flayosc, Carnoules, Sollies-Toucas, Saint-Julien, Tourrettes, Les Claux.
See the broader travel guide: Var.
