Solliès-Pont can be explored through several specific features: historic buildings, a botanical garden and the “violette de Solliès” fig, which has its own AOP designation of origin. Those interested in architectural history will find different points of interest from those drawn to plants, water landscapes or regional produce. These highlights give you a factual basis for choosing the town to suit your travel interests.
Châteaux and architectural history
Château Forbin was built by the Forbin family at the beginning of the 16th century. Its walls are faced with brick, its roof is covered with slate, and four round towers define the building. After its renovation, the château became a cultural centre with two exhibition rooms, a courtyard of honour, a forecourt and a park. The building thus brings together older architecture and a later cultural use.
Château de Solliès-Pont has clear visiting conditions: as a rule, it is not open to visitors; visits are possible only on European Heritage Days. If you plan to visit, check before travelling whether one of the relevant visiting days fits your schedule.
Churches, chapels and local heritage
The history of Église Saint Jean-Baptiste spans several construction phases. The earlier church collapsed in 1698; from 1729, the church was rebuilt to plans by Pierre Sénès. It houses an organ built and installed by Joseph Callinet in 1845. The organ was listed as a Monument historique in 1984—the designation applies to the instrument.
The two chapels also offer different points of interest. Chapelle Saint Roch contains numerous votive paintings by H. Allègre, a painter from Solliès-Pont. The paintings date from between 1840 and 1860. Chapelle Sainte-Christine dates from the 11th century; its forecourt offers a wide view of the horizon. At Saint Roch, the focus is on the votive paintings; at Sainte-Christine, a long history of construction meets the view from the forecourt.
Lavoir de Solliès-Pont adds a local community project to this architectural history: it was built in 1951 on the initiative of Georges Durando and his municipal council. It is located on Place du docteur Angot.
Botanical garden and lake
Parc du Château is a botanical garden with centuries-old trees, a rich collection of palms, a lake and contemporary sculptures. The tree species planted in the 19th century include holm oaks, Aleppo pines, hackberry trees, Chilean wine palms and Canary Island date palms. Their variety brings together different tree forms and origins within the garden.
The lake also has a specifically described design: it was built in sandstone and is fed by a supply channel. This channel branches off from Canal de l’Enclos, which carries water from the Gapeau. Plants, water and sculptures are thus the park’s botanical and design themes. By contrast, the two walking routes through the lanes focus on Solliès-Pont’s heritage and let you discover it as you stroll. This allows you to weigh up a route focused on local history against the park’s botanical themes, without treating the different offerings as interchangeable.
A fig with its own designation of origin
The “violette de Solliès” fig, typical of Solliès-Pont, has its own AOP designation of origin. It gives the region’s food culture a clear connection to the town. This may be just as specific an interest for you as architectural history or Parc du Château. You can consider each of the topics described individually: the walking routes reveal the heritage as you stroll, the park showcases botanical diversity, and the fig is a regional product with protected origin.
Discover more destinations: Nans-Les-Pins, Carnoules, Plan-De-La-Tour, Evenos, Forcalqueiret, Belgentier, Le Flayosquet, Entrecasteaux.
For the main travel overview: Var.
