Green Provence, villages, vineyards and hills of central Var

Discovering Green Provence

Green Provence is a region located in the heart of the Var department, between the Verdon to the north, and the Maures and Sainte-Baume mountains to the south. It offers a landscape of vineyards, hills, woods and old villages that gives central Var a clearly Provençal identity.

The villages of Green Provence

Cotignac is known for its tuff cliffs and troglodyte caves. The Cours Gambetta, lined with plane trees and fountains, reflects the atmosphere of the villages of central Var.

Perched on a hill, Tourtour is nicknamed "the village in the sky" because of its panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. This village suits visitors looking for quiet streets, relief and Provençal light.

Known as the "truffle capital," Aups attracts many visitors thanks to its popular truffle market in winter. This historic village is also distinguished by its narrow streets, old houses and medieval gates.

Villecroze, another medieval village, is renowned for its troglodyte caves and shaded gardens. Its narrow streets and stone houses give this place a peaceful and authentic atmosphere.

Thoronet Abbey and the heart of the Var

Farther south, Le Thoronet has a special place in Green Provence. The village developed near Thoronet Abbey, a masterpiece of Cistercian Romanesque architecture founded in the 12th century. Together with Sénanque in the Vaucluse and Silvacane in the Bouches-du-Rhône, it is one of the great Cistercian abbeys of Provence.

The strength of the site lies in its restraint: bare stone, clear volumes, measured light and deep acoustics. This quiet architecture fits naturally into a stay in central Var, where heritage visits alternate with vineyard roads, discreet villages and walks through wooded hills.

Around Le Thoronet, Le Cannet-des-Maures overlooks the Maures plain, while access from the A8 motorway, at the Le Luc-en-Provence exit, makes this part of the Var easy to reach from the coast or the Rhône valley. The heart of the Var is also a wine-growing area, with Lake Besse-sur-Issole offering a cooler pause by the water.

Other villages in Green Provence

In addition to these well-known villages, Green Provence also includes Salernes, Fox-Amphoux, Tavernes, Montmeyan and Sillans-la-Cascade. These places, with their landscapes, springs, old streets and rural heritage, offer many possible stops for discovering central Var.