The Upper Var: hilltop villages and authentic Provence
If you'd like to discover a Provence's more secret, take the road towards the Haut-Var.
As you move away from the coast, the landscapes change: wooded hills, olive groves, vineyards, hilltop villages and winding country roads.
The Haut-Var region also constitutes one of the gateways to Verdon Gorges.
This is a region that I particularly recommend to visitors who wish to discover another side of Provence, far from the major tourist resorts.
Tourtour, the "village in the sky of Provence"
Perched at approximately 600 meters altitude, Tourtour is one of the most attractive villages in the Haut-Var.
Its ramparts, castle and narrow streets bear witness to its medieval past.
From the Saint-Denis church and the Annabelle and Bernard Buffet square, the panorama extends widely over the Provençal landscapes, up to the Maures massif and the Sainte-Victoire.
Take the time to wander through the narrow streets, discover the fountains, the old wash house, the Clock Tower and the Open-Air Theatre.
The village notably has eight fountains, supplied by the Saint-Rosaire spring, as well as an old oil mill still in operation and open to visitors in summer.
Aups, capital of the black truffle
At the gateway to the Verdon Gorges, Aups is another interesting step.
The village is particularly known as the Var capital of black truffle.
In winter, its famous truffle market attracts producers and enthusiasts of the "black diamond". The market is traditionally held from the end of November to February.
Aups also has several cultural venues, including the Simon Segal Museum and the Maria de Faykod Museum.
It is a particularly interesting destination for combining heritage, gastronomy and local discovery.
Villecroze: caves and nature
The village is particularly known for its troglodytic caves and its park.
This is a pleasant stop to include in an excursion in the Haut-Var, especially if you want to alternate between villages, nature and heritage.
Cotignac, at the foot of the Rock
Among the villages of the Upper Var, Cotignac deserves a special place.
The village is situated at the foot of an impressive tufa cliff, called the Rock.
The flower-lined alleyways lead down to Cours Gambetta, the true heart of the village.
The cliff reaches approximately 80 meters high and is home to cave dwellings.
In summer, a visit to the Rocher allows you to discover some of these cavities.
Cotignac also has an interesting artisanal and gastronomic tradition: honey, woodworking, wine and local products.
From Jasmins Studio, count 1 hour 21 minute journey for 102 km via the motorway.
Bargemon, the "pearl of the Upper Var"
Further east, Bargemon It's also worth a visit.
The village is set in an environment of hills and olive trees and retains that atmosphere of a Provençal village where one takes the time to stroll.
It offers another opportunity to discover the Haut-Var region away from the most popular routes.
Châteaudouble: the village clinging to the mountain
For a slightly different kind of excursion, Châteaudouble also deserves to be remembered.
The road to get there is winding, but that's part of the fun of discovery.
Your profile places it at approximately 1 hour 05 minutes Jasmins Studio, for 79.8 km via the motorway.
This is exactly the kind of village that allows you to discover a more secluded side of the Haut-Var region.
Villages and landscapes to discover along the way
The Haut-Var region is obviously not limited to these few villages.
Depending on your itinerary, you can also discover:
- Salernes, known in particular for its ceramics tradition,
- Reguse,
- Sillans-la-Cascade,
- Moissac-Bellevue,
- or Entrecasteaux, with its remarkable castle and French-style garden attributed to Le Nôtre.
The appeal of the Haut-Var is precisely that you can tailor your excursion to your own preferences.
The Upper Var and the Verdon Gorges
For many visitors, the Haut-Var is a stopover on the way to the Verdon Gorges.
That is why I advise against considering these two destinations separately.
For example, you could plan for:
- A day in the villages: Jasmins Studio → Cotignac → Tourtour → Aups
- A day trip to the Verdon: Jasmins Studio → Aups → Moustiers-Sainte-Marie → Verdon Gorges
- A more private day: Jasmins Studio → Châteaudouble → Bargemon → return via the villages of the Upper Var
And if you have more time, the journey can naturally be spread over two days.
The village circuit can be completed in one day or in two stages.
A Provence different from the French Riviera
What I like about the Haut-Var is the change of atmosphere.
After the beaches, ports and towns of the French Riviera, we find here: the fountains, the shaded squares, the markets, the olive trees, the vineyards, the old stones and the panoramic views of the hills.
In summer, the villages are naturally more frequented, especially on the routes leading to the Verdon.
I would like to highlight another advantage of the territory: Winter reveals a more traditional, authentic and peaceful Haut-Var..
Also worth discovering:
→ Gorges of Cians and Daluis
→ Verdon Gorges
→ Var and inland Provence
→ Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
→ Valensole Plateau
→ Mimosa Road
→ The hilltop villages of the French Riviera