Les Mayons combines the natural surroundings of the Plaine des Maures with a specific hike and notable historical landmarks. When choosing a destination, you can consider these highlights separately: Pin Pignon takes you through several types of woodland to a viewpoint; the Maison départementale de la nature focuses on environmental education, while the church, chestnut tree and mining history offer insights into the village’s past.
Natural Environment and Environmental Education
The Réserve naturelle nationale de la plaine des Maures also includes the municipality of Les Mayons. Protected habitats in the Plaine des Maures provide a home for species including the European pond turtle, the Hermann’s tortoise, the ocellated lizard and several frog species. In addition, 134 bird species and 32 mammal species, including nine bat species, can be observed there.
Another specific connection with nature is the Maison départementale de la nature des Mayons. It lies between the Massif des Maures and the Plaine des Maures, at the foot of the village of Les Mayons; two hectares of meadows and olive trees surround it. The Var Department created and manages the facility for environmental activities and education. The protected natural area and a facility dedicated to nature education thus offer two distinct ways to experience nature.
Hiking in the Forest and Protected Area
The Pin Pignon hike starts at the parking area de la Fabrique at the entrance to Les Mayons. It passes through chestnut groves, maritime pine forests and cork oak forests, going by a secluded cabanon before reaching a viewpoint overlooking a mountain cirque. The route therefore connects a specific starting point with varied woodland landscapes and a clearly defined destination.
The “Balade dans la plaine des Maures” route runs partly within the Réserve naturelle nationale de la plaine des Maures. Its described connection with the protected area differs from the forest and viewpoint focus of the Pin Pignon hike.
Village History and Local Connections
Les Mayons became a municipality under the name Mayons du Luc by a decree of Napoleon III dated 7 November 1863. The Grand-père châtaignier, a venerable chestnut tree planted in the Middle Ages, serves as a local monument. The Church of Saint Jean was built in the 17th century and houses a painting from the same century. It depicts a crucifixion with John, Mary and the Grail.
The iron mines near the hamlets of Rascas and Valpayette are also among the historical landmarks near Les Mayons. The different dates provide a timeline: the chestnut tree was planted in the Middle Ages, the church and painting date from the 17th century, and the village became a municipality in 1863.
Local products include honey and chestnut products. At Les Ruchers des Maures, Lucien Lamoine, a beekeeper and chestnut grower in Les Mayons, offers products from his beehives and chestnut trees. If you want to plan a visit specifically for these products, ask about the current selection in advance.
Discover more destinations: Giens, Saint-Zacharie, Carces, Tourtour, Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume, Carqueiranne, Gonfaron, Plan-D'aups-Sainte-Baume
For the broader travel overview: Var.
