Hiking trails, a limestone formation shaped like an elephant and religious landmarks offer different ways to explore Signes. For planning, you can compare specific trail details with longer routes, natural areas and historic sites. This can help you decide whether to devote more time to hiking and the landscape or to the history of the town.
Hiking on Different Routes
The circular hike “SIGNES – L’éléphant de pierre” is 7.4 kilometres long, of moderate difficulty and takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. It leads to numerous avens and the flora of the plateau. The stated duration provides a guide for planning the time needed for this hike; the approximate time remains an estimate. If you are looking for a longer route, the GR®9 long-distance trail offers a different scale: it passes through Signes and runs for a total of 966 kilometres between the Jura region and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. In the Var department, it crosses the Sainte-Baume massif.
Another hiking option is the three routes of the “Balades des Oratoires”. They lead to eleven oratories and three calvaries. This offers a choice between several religious landmarks and a single circular hike with its own distance and duration. The details about the circular hike and the oratory routes can help you decide in advance which kind of walk interests you; no walking time is given for the oratory routes.
Limestone, Water and Landscape
On the Siou Blanc plateau lies Roucas Traoucas, a limestone formation resembling a stone elephant. The name of the circular hike evokes this image; the route also leads to the avens and the flora of the plateau. The landscape and the route description therefore each have their own focus: the striking rock formation on the one hand, and the natural features mentioned along the circular hike on the other.
The natural area of Le Latay is a 50-hectare valley along the stream of the same name. Numerous springs, visible and underground waterways, and cascades shape its character. Le Latay can be reached from Signes via marked hiking trails. This adds another natural area to the plateau hike, though the two hiking options do not describe the same landscape.
Chapels and Historic Traces
The Chapelle Saint Jean was rebuilt in 1669 on the site of a 12th-century chapel. It is listed as a national monument; the Saint Jean festival is held there every year. The construction date, the earlier chapel and the recurring celebration each offer a different starting point for exploring the religious heritage. This heritage is also connected with the history of Signes: the village was owned by the bishops of Marseille for a long time and served as a place for them to stay.
Another historic site is the Chapelle de Chateauvieux, at the original location of Signes. It is considered the village’s only historical landmark and was rebuilt in 1587 after falling into disrepair. The cave beside the Bergerie des Maigres is also among the early traces in the area: it is the use of the cave, not the cave itself, that is dated to 3500 BC.
Nougat and Getting Your Bearings
Confiserie Fouque offers visits to its nougat factory, including a tasting of that day’s production. Visits are seasonal and require advance booking. If this is part of your plans, take the seasonal schedule into account and book your visit. The “Office de Tourisme et médiathèque de Signes” serves as both the tourist office and the media library; further opening hours or service details are not included in this overview.
Signes offers distinct themes rather than a single prescribed travel itinerary. Check the stated conditions for each activity: a reservation is required for the nougat factory, while the hiking details give specific information about a circular hike. This can help you choose accommodation to suit the experiences that interest you most in Signes.
Discover More Destinations
Plan-De-La-Tour, Vins-Sur-Caramy, Cotignac, Hyères, Barjols, Tourves, La Garde, Le Castellet
For the main travel overview: Var.
