Collobrières, Var
Traditional market town famous for its chestnut trees and cork industry
Collobrières is a pretty medieval village in the hills of the Massif des Maures.
There is a pretty river running right through the town spanned by a 12th century stone bridge, and a wide, shady boulevard with a big town square. Along with chestnut flavoured everything (from ice cream to soup), the town also has a thriving cork industry, harvested from the cork oak trees that grow in the surrounding hills. This is a very pleasant town far away from the crowds and heat of the Riviera.
Its main street is lined by Plane trees, shading the cobbled streets. Along them you'll find a couple of touristy shops and some attractive restaurants. In the square before the town hall resides a funky fountain, topped with a bronze cherub. In his arms he holds a fish that spouts water down to the basin. Every year, in August, Collobrières celebrates the construction of this fountain, when on that day its water changes into wine...
It's not the changing of water into wine, that gives the village its notoriety. It's the abundance of chestnut trees and their fruit. With La Garde-Freinet, Collobrières vies for the chestnut capital of the region. Both villages have their chestnut festivals in October. When the one village extended the festival to a second weekend, the other one followed toute de suite.
If you like chestnuts, in whatever form, the Maison des Marrons has a small museum next to it, where you can explore the makings of such sweet delicacies as marrons glacés. In the shop they sell chestnuts in every form: preserves, paste, and above all (recommended) ice cream.
Collobrières has some nice restaurants and shady pavement cafés, mostly specialising in Provençal food.
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- Sights & Attractions in Collobrieres
- Beaches in Collobrieres
- Events in Collobrieres
- Things to do in Collobrieres
- Cycling in Collobrieres
- Hiking in Collobrieres
- Yachts & Sailing in Collobrieres
- Watersports in Collobrieres
- Families in Collobrieres
- Villas in Collobrieres
- Campsites in Collobrieres
- How to get to Collobrieres
Sights & Attractions in Collobrieres
The gothic church at gothic Notre Dame des Victoires is worth seeing, as well as the Pont Raoul Calvi, a 12th century stone bridge spanning the Real Collobrière River. There are several pretty fountains including the 'boy with fish' fountain in the square.
The medieval monastery, Chartreuse de la Verne is worth a visit or just wander about and admire the ancient chestnut trees, the stunning views and be amazed that some 900 years ago, monks would establish themselves here. Today, it's such an isolated location, imagine what it must have been like in their times.
Beaches in Collobrieres
Beaches in Saint-Tropez
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Bouillabaisse Beach
La Bouillabaisse is a more low-key option to the swanky beach clubs on Pampelonne beach and is situated closer to the town of Saint Tropez.
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La Ponche Beach
Plage de la Ponche and its neighbour Plage de la Fontanette are two lovely beaches which you can access directly from the heart of the village.
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L'Escalet Beach, Ramatuelle
The coastline between Cape Taillat and Cape Camarat is a succession of pretty little beaches, coves and rocky inlets, with translucent waters over the polished rocks or golden sands.
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Graniers Beach
Plage des Graniers is a beautiful, small sandy bay surrounded by greenery and a few Provençal villas.
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Pampelonne Beach
Pampelonne Beach is the beach most people associate with Saint-Tropez. This is where you will find the A-listers, the famous beach clubs, and the super yachts resting in the bay.
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Canoubiers Beach
This beach is situated around the coastline from Plage des Graniers, and sits close to the main road of Route des Salins, so access from St-Tropez town is fairly easy.
Events in Collobrieres
Events in Collobrieres
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Fête de la Chataignes - Chestnut festival, Collobrières
In Provence, the department of the Var is the place to look for chestnuts. The Var village of Collobrières regards itself as chestnut capital of the world and in late October it's time for the chestnut festival, which attracts thousands of visitors from near and far.
Things to do in Collobrieres
Outside the village, you find a wonder of nature trails. For lovers of hiking this is a paradise. Even by car, you will be impressed by the wild, and for the most part uninhabited Massif des Maures, the mountainous forest range around Collobrières.
This is wonderful hiking and cycling country, the forested hills of the Maures are riddled with tracks for hiking, mountain biking, hunting and horse riding, whilst the winding road is very popular with road-cyclists. Collobrières is the perfect jumping off point into the forests of the Maures. Three popular long hikes are to the Notre Dame des Anges, the Plateau Lambert and the Chartreuse de la Verne, while Collobrières also connects with long-range hiking trails GR90 adn GR51 nearby.
Cycling in Collobrieres
Cycling Routes in Saint-Tropez
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Saint Tropez to Maures Corniche Loop
This loop starts at Cogolin and ends in Saint Tropez, taking in 11th century castles, villages, vineyards and beaches along the way. there are several cols to cross so try not to do this in the heat of the day!
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Cannes to Saint Raphael
This intermediate cycle offers a wonderful contrast of colours as you pass the reds and ochres of the Esterel rock on one side and rippling azur waters of the Mediterranean coastline on the other. A local favourite, you won't be the only one on the road if you ride during the summer or on weekends.
Hiking in Collobrieres
Walking Routes in Saint-Tropez
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La Castellane
Enjoy magnificent views of Grimaud and the surrounding hills on this short walk.
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Le Circuit Historique
This historical circuit takes in many of Grimaud's historical buildings, many of which are tucked away and nestled within the old narrow streets of the village.
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Le Pierredon
Since the 17th century the 3 watermills provided flour to the people of the region. Discover this charming valley bordered by olive trees.
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Sentier du Littoral
Discover the wild side of St Tropez with this walk around its peninsula. This path leads you through rugged coastline and across beaches of fine white sand and takes you to places that would otherwise be accessible only by boat.
Yachts & Sailing in Collobrieres
Watersports in Collobrieres
Watersports in Saint-Tropez
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Eau Bleue Diving School, Cavalaire
Open from mid-March to mid-November, Eau Bleue diving centre welcomes passengers, from beginners to qualified divers, aboard its comfortable boat.
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Adventure Sports Watersports
Adventure Sports provides a wide range of watersport activities on the warm sunny Mediterranean Sea. Friendly English staff will welcome you in a personal, one to one tuition.
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La Moune Watersports, Gassin
La Moune is located just outside of St Tropez and allows you to enjoy a range of watersports in the bay.
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Marine Air Sport Watersports
Located in Saint Tropez, Marine Air Sport offers a wide range of nautical and aerial sports. The sporting activities include water-ski, wakeboard, Jet Ski, parascending and boat rentals.
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Societe Nautique de Saint Tropez
Societe Nautique de Saint Tropez is a sailing club based in the port with over 500 members.
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Mio Palmo Plongee Diving School
Open from May through until October you are welcome to discover scuba diving with Mio Palmo Plongée.
Families in Collobrieres
Villas in Collobrieres
Villas in Saint-Tropez
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Mahé Villa, La Mole
Luxurious villa for rent with 2 private pools in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez
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La Ruine Villa, Grimaud
Located just outside charming Grimaud in the picturesque hamlet of Val de Gilly is la Ruine.
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Turquoise Villa, Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer
Sumptuous contemporary villa, ideally located at a few minutes walk from the famous beaches of Rayol and the city center, while enjoying a quiet and peaceful environment, without being overlooked.
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Escale Villa, Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer
Villa with sea view in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez
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Ella Villa, Grimaud
27 Sep 20257 Nights1-12 peopleSelf-cateredVilla for rent on the French Riviera, close to Saint-Tropez and Sainte-Maxime and a few steps from the beaches, this high standing property enjoys a beautiful 4,800m² land planted with trees with an infinity pool and a basin.
Price: €7,180
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Serena Villa, Sainte-Maxime
The Villa Serena is a property accessible to people with reduced mobility and is composed of 6 air-conditioned rooms with a panoramic view on the sea and the bay of Saint-Tropez.
Campsites in Collobrieres
How to get to Collobrieres
Collobrières is a lovely medieval town deep in the thickly forested hills of the Massif des Maures. It's not well connected by public transport, so those without a car will have to rely on the very infrequent buses running from Toulon.
The easiest access to the village is from the west, from Pierrefeu. But then you would miss the best of the region, so instead take the D14 road from the east, from Grimaud. A dramatic road, with just enough space for cars to pass and some steep ravines on your left.
This road gives you an overwhelming view of the Maures. Some 10 miles before the village, you may catch a glimpse - high up - of the medieval monastery, Chartreuse de la Verne. If time permits, take the road up to the monastery. The buildings themselves are still under reconstruction. Through the ages, the monastery was burnt down, pilfered, abandoned and (in the 1950's) reinhabited by the nuns order of Bethléem.
Transfers for Saint-Tropez
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Private airport transfers
From Nice airport to Saint-Tropez, they handle the rest. The Côte d’Azur's most trusted private transfers.
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Chabe Airport Transfers
Chabe Transfers are a renowned luxury transfer and taxi service operating in the French Riviera.
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Helicopter Transfers and Scenic Flights
With a long history and experience in the VIP transport industry this company is proud of its personal and high-quality services.
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Private Jet and Helicopter Transfers
With an International fleet of jets and helicopters based across Europe it is quick and easy to get a private charter flight for business, pleasure or an airport transfer.
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Acarre Limousine Transfers
Acarre Limousine offers transfers from the airport, train station and other taxi services whether it is from the beach or to a nightclub.
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Millenium Transport Transfers
For more than 10 years, Millenium Transport has been the leading firm in terms of top-of-the-range transports with driver and provides a high quality of service in order to satisfy the needs and expectations of international clients who make the French Riviera so famous.
