A trip to Montauroux can focus on different things: the historic walk through the old village centre, buildings with a history of their own, and Fondurane on the eastern part of the Lac de Saint-Cassien. The Circuit patrimoine runs from the oldest to the newest part of the village centre; in Fondurane, an easy, publicly accessible five-kilometre trail is available. This makes it possible to give local history and nature separate emphasis when planning your visit.
The Circuit patrimoine in the old village centre
The Circuit patrimoine de Montauroux passes through the old village centre and follows a historical sequence. Its stops include fountains, washhouses, watering troughs, a covered canal and an aqueduct abutment. The route therefore brings together different kinds of traces of water and architectural heritage, rather than focusing on a single attraction. You can explore it as a self-guided walk at your own pace; no walking time or route length is specified.
The walk is open every day throughout the year. Free parking for the village walk is available at Place du Clos or Place de la Fontaine. It is a good idea to check local notices shortly before your visit. The sequence from the oldest to the newest part gives the route a distinctive focus: it does not just pass individual sites, but places them in chronological order within the village centre.
Buildings and their history
The Pont des Tuves was built in 1802 and restored in 1978. It is 20 metres long, 7 metres high beneath the arch and has a 1.70-metre-wide footpath. These measurements describe different parts of the structure: its overall length, the height beneath the arch and the width of the footpath. The bridge offers a tangible view of its architectural form, while the dates put its construction and restoration in context.
The Chapelle Saint-Barthélemy can also be explored through its history and features. After the castrum was demolished, it was restored and extended between 1634 and 1639. Its interior decoration is listed as a historic monument. The parish church of Saint-Barthélemy is a separate building: its side chapels contain altarpieces signed by Van Loo. The two buildings thus offer different points of interest for a cultural walk—here, architectural history and interior decoration; there, the altarpieces in the side chapels.
At the Chapelle Saint-Michel, a Romanesque apse vault in the form of a half-dome stands out. The term describes the shape of the vault and adds a specific architectural detail to its art-historical context. In 2010, the chapel was restored by the Montauroux Heritage Preservation Association. Together with the other buildings, it shows how the focus of a visit to the local heritage can shift from features and building history to individual construction details, depending on the building.
Fondurane and the Lac de Saint-Cassien
Fondurane lies on the eastern part of the Lac de Saint-Cassien. The Lac de Saint-Cassien is a 420-hectare reservoir created in 1966 by the construction of a hydroelectric dam. An easy, five-kilometre trail is open to the public in Fondurane; please follow the area’s rules when visiting. Its length and difficulty rating give this nature outing a clear framework. By contrast, the Circuit patrimoine leads through the old village centre and focuses on its historical sequence.
In the area around Montauroux, rowing, sailing-school activities, pedal boating, kayaking and paddleboarding are permitted on the Lac de Saint-Cassien. This differs from the designated trail in Fondurane: here, possible activities on the water complement an accessible walking route. If you are planning a particular water activity, check the providers and conditions in advance; they may change.
Things to focus on during your stay
Then check the location details for each accommodation against your plans.
Discover more destinations: Ollières, Comps-Sur-Artuby, La Crau, Tourves, Ollioules, Plan-De-La-Tour, Meounes-Les-Montrieux, Taradeau.
Go to the main travel overview: Var.
