Pont Des Fees Grimaud Var 49Pont Des Fees Grimaud Var 49

A mountain of treasures in the Maures mountain range

The Maures mountains stretch graciously along the French Riviera in Var, providing a natural playground in the most picture-perfect of settings.

Between mountain and sea, oak and chestnut trees, set off to explore the wonders of the Maures.

Did you know?

Grimaud is one of the gateways to the Maures mountains. As you climb towards the village from the sea, you soon reach the foothills of this imposing mountain range that extends along the entire southern part of the Var region, from Hyères to Vidauban, from the Maures plain to the sea.

The village and the mountains are two good reasons to spend your holiday in Grimaud!

Where does the name ‘Maures’ come from? It is a Provençal word meaning dark or black. The area was given this name, after the dark forests and rocks.

The ultimate nature walks in the Maures mountains range

Whether you’re new to walking or already an experienced hiker, it’s time to put on your hiking boots in Grimaud! From La Garde-Freinet, you can walk to Grimaud via the peaceful Vernades valley. An opportunity to discover the white oak and chestnut trees while admiring the mountains and sea joining together in the distance. Unless you’d prefer to add a touch of magic to your trip by venturing along the Pont des Fées (fairy bridge) trail? It’s up to you!

If you’d like to enjoy the view of the Maures mountains without taking on the uphill climb, opt for one of our walks through the quiet Castellane and Le Peyron neighbourhoods. If you’re a fan of cycling, you can set off from the village to the lacustrian town of Port Grimaud.

On the north side of the mountains is the Maures plain where you can admire the many colours of our dazzling region, including ochre rocks, pink sandstone, white rockrose and a whole host of green shades stretching into the distance.
To enjoy the fresh air of the great outdoors, check out all the walks in and around Grimaud!

The Maures mountain range, birthplace of history and tradition

The Maures mountain range is home to numerous traditions, both culinary and natural. Make the most of your stay in Grimaud.

When the Maures mountains go gourmet…
Have you ever heard of Patience Fraxinoise? They are little biscuits that are crunchy yet soft and originate from the village of La Garde-Freinet in the Maures mountains.
The name ‘Patience’ refers to the way they deserve to be enjoyed… That’s what La Dolce Vita, Provence style is all about!

There’s treasure in the Maures mountains!
The Verne Carthusian Monastery is a real architectural gem in the midst of these mountains, founded in 1170 by the Carthusian monks in the village of Collobrières. Between the forest and the mountains, this place is a temple of tranquillity and meditation… Come and see it for yourselves.

The Maures, Var’s very own mountain range

From the coast to the heartland, the Maures mountain range makes its way across the department and is around sixty kilometres long and thirty wide.

This natural environment makes Var the second most wooded department in France (in terms of wooded surface area/total surface area).

Enjoy outdoor activities here, including walks, bike rides and horse rides. There’s plenty to do in the Grimaud countryside.

Good to know

The Maures mountain range is in the department of Var, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, in the south of France.

– Grimaud
– Collobrières
– La Garde-Freinet
– Bormes-les-Mimosas
– Le Lavandou
– Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer
– Cogolin
– Gassin
– La Croix-Valmer
– La Mole
– Le Plan-de-la-Tour

Besides Verne Carthusian Monastery, there are so many other new discoveries to make in the Maures mountains:

Brégançon Fort (Bormes-les-Mimosas)
Church of Saint-Clément (La Garde-Freinet)
Church of Saint-Trophyme (Bormes-les-Mimosas)
Castle of Grimaud
Church of Sainte-Magdeleine (La Mole)
Fort-Freinet oppidum
The menhirs of Lambert plateau (Collobrières)

If you prefer to be behind the wheel rather than getting your hiking gear out, you can set off along the roads through the Maures mountain range! Here are the different routes you can take:

– The Corniche des Maures (D559): this is the departmental road that runs along the coast between Hyères and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Along this road, you’ll be delighted to see that you pass plenty of beaches and tourist attractions. You can stop off to visit Brégançon Fort for example, or on La Londe and Bormes-les-Mimosas beaches, or maybe you’d prefer the Mediterranean Gardens.
– The Route des Maures (D41): this road crosses the Maures mountains between Collobrières and Bormes-les-Mimosas, via the Babaou, Gratteloup and Caguo-Ven mountain passes.
– The Route de la Forêt du Dom (D98): this is the most well-known route, along with the Corniche des Maures. It runs between Hyères and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, via the villages of Mole and Cogolin.