A wine-growing region where nature reigns supreme, the heart of the Var welcomes you in all its splendor, between wooded hills and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see.
For a weekend, get back to nature and embark on a wine tourism getaway punctuated by captivating visits such as the Thoronet Abbey and the Notre-Dame-des-Anges sanctuary, passing through the artistic curiosities of the Commanderie de Peyrassol.
2 days
Duration
78 km
Itinerary
4
Vineyards
Step 1
Thoronet Abbey
Jewel of Cistercian art
Your adventure begins in the town of Le Thoronet. Its famous abbey, a masterpiece of Cistercian architecture dating from the 12th century, it attracts many visitors each year. Considered a A place outside of time due to its remote location – as is the Cistercian tradition – the architectural complex was built by monks of the Cistercian order in the Var hinterland.
Admire the the purity of its lines and the harmony of its proportions. The simplicity of the stonework and the exceptional acoustics of its church will immerse you in an atmosphere of contemplation and serenity. By opting for the 2-hour guided tour, your guide will tell you all about it. the secrets of this place steeped in history. Don't forget to linger in the walled gardens and on the hackberry esplanade, from where you can contemplate the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Travel approximately 20 kilometers to reach the second stage of this weekend, in Flassans-sur-Issole, where A first tasting awaits you. The Commanderie de Peyrassol, an estate of 850 hectares, 100 of which are dedicated to vineyards, labeled Remarkable Garden. This iconic venue offers a unique pairing of fine wines from Provence and contemporary art.
You will be able to discover there an impressive collection of artworks installed amidst vineyards, oak trees and olive trees. The route, conceived by Mathilde Marchand, director of the collection, in collaboration with Gaële Bazennerye, landscape architect of the estate, guides you through intimate clearings and open perspectives, offering an exceptional showcase of contemporary sculptures.
After this artistic immersion, you can enjoy wines from the’AOP Côtes de Provence, produced directly on the estate. This unique sensory experience, combining art and wine, will reveal to you two facets of the creativity and authenticity of the Provençal terroir.
Finally, let yourself be seduced by the beauty of the place by having lunch on the terrace of the Chez Jeannette restaurant., an exceptional address recently awarded by the prestigious Gault et Millau gastronomic guide, which awarded it the distinction "chef's table" and two toques. Under the direction of two-Michelin-starred chef Michel Portos, The menu celebrates the flavors of ingredients from the estate's organic vegetable garden, thus highlighting the treasures of this sunny region.
Next stop: Château Saint-Roux, located about 15 kilometers from Le Cannet-des-Maures, to end the day. This wine estate, with 40 hectares of vines on a 94-hectare property, offers a unique immersion in an eco-responsible Provençal farm, where tradition and innovation meet.
The estate is distinguished by its certified organic vineyard and its farm housing chickens, goats and sheep, as well as a sustainable vegetable garden of 5,000 m², cultivated according to environmentally friendly practices. There you can discover the local produce that inspires the estate's cuisine. La Table Saint-Roux offers a seasonal menu created by the chef, showcasing vegetables and homemade cheeses.
The estate also invites visitors to authentic experiences, ...like bakery workshops where you'll learn to make your own bread. To conclude your visit, taste organic Côtes de Provence AOP wines in the estate's cellar. Spend the night in one of the elegantly furnished guest rooms, perfect for extending this experience in complete tranquility.
With the Terres Ailées cooperative winery in Gonfaron
To extend your immersion in the wine-growing region of the heart of the Var, take part in an early morning vineyard walk organized each summer by the Terres Ailées cooperative winery in Gonfaron, by reservation.
These summer walks offer a unique experience at the foot of the Massif des Maures, In the soft light of early morning, ideal for fully appreciating these magnificent vineyard landscapes. The activity includes exploring the vineyard on foot, followed by a guided tour of the cooperative winery and a tasting.
Now head over to Domaine de la Fouquette for a wine tourism experience focused on organic wines.
Here, the vineyard, certified organic by Ecocert since 2013, is cultivated using environmentally friendly methods (sowing green manure to restore soil life, sheep grazing in the vineyards, etc.) which the team will passionately present during your visit. This foray into the sustainable viticulture will allow you to understand how respect for the earth and the’art of winemaking can perfectly integrate into a balanced ecosystem and produce wines of’great finesse and beautiful authenticity.
Your getaway in the heart of the Var region literally culminates at the Notre-Dame-des-Anges sanctuary, perched at 768 meters high, at the summit of the Massif des Maures. a place steeped in history and spirituality This will offer you a final breathtaking panorama stretching to the Toulon harbor, the Giens peninsula, and the island of Porquerolles. The 360-degree view is a moment of pure contemplation! Then, enter its chapel, rebuilt in 1844. Upon crossing the threshold, you will discover a single nave housing a 17th-century walnut Virgin Mary. The walls are adorned with numerous ex-votos, moving testaments to popular devotion.
Don't miss the adjoining cloister either. Its rooms, once used by pilgrims, evoke the historical importance of the site. The legend of its founding, involving a shepherd and his dog miraculously discovering a statue of the Virgin Mary, will add a touch of mystery to your visit…
A weekend around Salon-de-Provence
A weekend in Dracénie Provence Verdon
A weekend in the Aix-en-Provence region
A weekend in Green Provence and Verdon
A weekend in the Esterel region
A weekend in the “Vineyards of Provence & the Mediterranean”