Discover the Massif des Maures
Between Sea and Mountains
The Massif des Maures is a mountain range located in the Var
department, along the Mediterranean coastline. Spanning around sixty kilometers, from the Giens
Peninsula, near Hyères, to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, it unveils a breathtaking
landscape, where golden beaches, secret coves, and rocky promontories follow one another, sculpting a
wild and captivating coast.
The "Black Mountain"
The interior of the massif, a world apart, is a preserved territory where nature reigns supreme. Its
rugged terrain, steep slopes, are draped in dense vegetation: cork oaks, pines, and chestnuts weave an
impenetrable forest. The winding roads that thread through reveal, at every turn, the secret soul of
this isolated place.
The origin of the name "Massif des Maures" reflects this dark and impenetrable atmosphere. The Provençal
term Lei Mauro, meaning "Black Mountain", reflects the density of its forests. It also evokes a
chapter of history: the presence of the Moors, pirates from North Africa, who occupied the region
between the 8th and 9th centuries, launching raids throughout the surrounding Provence.
The Villages of the Massif des Maures
The interior of the massif is home to several picturesque and peaceful villages. Among
them are La Garde-Freinet, Collobrières, Plan-de-la-Tour, and Roquebrune-sur-Argens, small treasures of
Provence, where the cobbled streets and stone houses tell the story of a land that jealously preserves
its authenticity.
The coastline is dotted with emblematic villages that offer Provençal charm and a
seaside atmosphere: Londe-les-Maures, Bormes-les-Mimosas, Cavalaire-sur-Mer, La
Croix-Valmer, Cogolin, Grimaud, not to mention the famous Saint-Tropez and Sainte-Maxime.
A Land of Character
The Massif des Maures captivates with the magic of its landscapes and the charm of its villages. It is a
land of character, contrasted between sea and mountains, for lovers of unspoiled nature and seaside
pleasures.
