Hills and Mediterranean forests surround Ollières. Built on a hill around its now-private château, the village can be explored along narrow, cobbled lanes. Religious buildings, the history of clay mining and wine tastings offer possible points of interest. When planning your visit, you can focus on the village and its heritage, trails and scenery, or wine.
Trails, Lanes and Scenery
Several trails around Ollières offer a chance to discover the local flora and fauna. They also provide views of Sainte-Baume and the surrounding vineyards. The trails combine nature discovery with scenic views, while the lanes lead through the village itself. This offers a distinction when planning your visit: the trails focus on nature and scenery, while the lanes showcase the village.
Village History and Religious Heritage
The Château d’Ollières is a former seigneury with a thousand-year history and is one of the prominent representatives of the AOC Coteaux Varois en Provence. The portal of the Church of Sainte-Anne was classified by the Beaux-Arts in 1921. Several paintings in the church were restored and enhanced as part of a restoration program launched in 2011. The Oratoire Sainte-Marie was built in 1954 beside the road to Saint-Maximin. Ollières is also distinguished by its campanile; terraced fortification walls form part of the village’s visible historic character. The historic mining of clay is also connected to the local heritage. A campanile is a bell tower.
The dates refer to different developments: the portal was classified in 1921, the oratory was built in 1954, and the restoration program for the paintings was launched in 2011. The thousand-year history, by contrast, belongs to the former seigneury. This makes it possible to distinguish the buildings and their different historical associations.
Wine and When to Visit
The château offers guided tours in French followed by a wine tasting. As dates may change, check in advance when a tour is taking place. Wine tastings in the vineyards of Ollières offer a chance to discover the aromas of the Var terroir. The setting is key to choosing: the tasting at the château follows a tour, while the vineyard tastings focus on the terroir. The wineries taking part in these tastings may change. Check in advance what is on offer during your travel dates.
The Fête du Chien may also influence when you choose to visit. It takes place in early July each year and includes dog-training competitions and other events. The specific program may vary, so check the latest dates and details before traveling in early July.
Discover more destinations: Ollioules, Chateaudouble, Callian, Le Pradet, Callas, Trans-En-Provence, Pignans, Ginasservis.
See the regional travel overview: Var.
