A few words on Var Department

Geography

Var is mountainous in the North (especially in the Northeast) and behind the sea coast which is lined with a series of massifs. Between both, the Argens river, which flows eastwards, is bordered by a land of small hills alternating with small flat surfaces or with very fertile alluvial basins which have been cultivated as gardens for a long time. That explains the so beautiful landscapes of this country: patchworks of colors, lavender and cereal fields, alfalfa lawns, vines, olive groves... In the Northeast, around Comps-sur-Artuby, the folding of Alps lifted Jurassic grounds. The highest summit, near Alpes-Maritimes, reaches 1715 m at the Montagne de Lachens. The central part, on calcareous and calcareous-marly rocks (Trias, Jurassic, and Eocene), is little swept by the Mistral (cold North wind) and a typical Mediterranean flora can be observed: Allepo pines, holm oaks, bushes with kermes oaks, etc. In the Southwest, the chain of Sainte Baume is a high ridge of Cretaceous limestones that were surrected during the pyreneo-provençal folding (Eocene). The Maures and Estérels are crystalline Hercynian massifs. They present a typical warm Mediterranean acidophilous flora: cork oaks (the holm oak is indifferent to the substratum, the cork oak is strictly calcifugous), maritime pines, and, growing in undergrowth, Montpelier cistus and stoechas lavender. Scrubs with strawberry trees, heathers and cades grow on burned areas, cistus vegetation are on more degraded places, the ultimate stage corresponds to asphodel lawns on bare soils... Vine growing is the main agricultural activity of the Maures massif, with the production of excellent Côtes de Provence.

 

History

There are rather few megaliths in Provence, and they are mainly located in the departments of Var and Alpes-Maritimes. On the other hand, the Roman period has left noteworthy traces. Indeed, Roman legions invaded this land some seven decades before Caesar's Gallic conquest. Several cities take their origin from stages along the Via Aurelia (Antibes, Fréjus, Luc, etc.). Fréjus was one of the most important Roman naval bases. The stream of Burgonds, Ostrogoths and Franks passed through this country in the times of Barbaric invasions. From the VIIIth till the Xth century, Saracens made several devastations, and, during a long time, the coasts were the victim of attacks by Barbary pirates. The Counts of Provence hold the Var from the XIIth till the XVth century. Twice, in 1524 and in 1536, the Italian Wars reached Provence. The Revolution created a department wider than it is now. In 1860, the annexation of Nice county by France was followed by the decision to attach the district of Grasse to the new department of Alpes-Maritimes. So that amputated from its eastern area, the Var department lost the part of the river that was at the origin of its name. After the little glorious episode of the French fleet scuttling in Toulon (November 27th, 1942), the Free French gave a lesson of courage by landing on the Var coast on August 15th, 1944.

 

Hiking characteristics

Var is one of the most wooded departments in France. The Mediterranean forest is subject to fires in summer. So, if you plan to walk in this season in one of the forest massifs, you should be very careful. During a dry year, it is better to refrain from hiking: fire can spread very quickly when the Mistral wind blows! In such a situation, prefer the inside of the department, as the agricultural lands or the mountain pastures in the Northeast. April and May are the best months to discover the Mediterranean flora, indeed, most of the plants flower in this time. The nature lovers can also enjoy a very rich entomofauna. Here are some examples among butterflies: the Two-tailed Pasha (caterpillar host plant: strawberry tree) and the Southern Festoon (caterpillar host plant: Aristolochia). As for the matter of architecture, the Cistercian abbey of Thoronet can be considered as the most noteworthy monument.

 

French Internet sites for outdoor activities

A hiker from the Var department who shares his hobby : Les saute-collines
Horse riding holidays in Provence : Les cyprès de l'étang
Pony club and horse riding in Estérel : Les 3 Fers
Stays in Provence including nature and outdoor activities: rando-guide.com
Paragliding in Provence : Vol au Sud
Equestrian center near Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël : Les Murettes
Var Departmental committee of Equestrian Tourism : www.cdevar.com
Equestrian center in Luc-en-Provence : Les écuries de Maejenn
Walking and singing, an unusual way to hike: www.chantrandonnee.com