Filiz Elaerts Loujhoyjab8 UnsplashProvence boasts some of the most beautiful villages in France, and Aiguines is no exception. Enter this charming village, where authenticity is revealed at every corner. Start by losing yourself in the narrow, shady streets, where ancient houses evoke the unique atmosphere of the Provencal region. In the central square, “Place de la Fontaine”, you’ll discover a typical atmosphere: a bell tower with a traditional wrought-iron campanile, pastel-colored houses, a historic fountain and a sundial. Take a step up to the promontory, where the Château d’Aiguines, an emblem of the past, sits enthroned. This ancient medieval bastide, restored in the early 17th century, dominates the Lac de Sainte-Croix in Renaissance style, and stands out with its four turrets adorned with peppered roofs and polychrome glazed tiles from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Although it is not open to the public, you can admire the details of its silhouette from the outside. The surrounding area is a popular place for walks, offering magnificent views of the Valensole plateau, Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Lubéron mountain range.
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Eglise Saint Jean Daiguines 1If you still have the energy to climb, explore theparish church of Saint-Jean, with its handsome bell tower. Perched on the cliff, you can rest in the shade of the stone walls, cooled by the Mistral wind. At the top, next to the chapel, there’s an orientation table where you can admire the superb scenery around the village. What are you waiting for to explore this village where time seems to stand still, and where every corner reveals a piece of preserved history?
Aiguines attaches great importance to local and traditional crafts. Explore this richness by visiting the various workshops of artisans specialized in working with clay and earthenware, such as the renowned santonniers, creators of the famous figurines. You can also discover the history of Aiguines through a museum dedicated to an emblematic historical activity: the woodturner’s trade and the manufacture of studded boxwood balls, the precursors of our pétanque balls.
(Please note that the museum’s opening hours vary according to the season, and that access is only available on request from October to April. For further details, visit the museum website).
When you associate Provence with Aiguines, don’t miss the chance to discover Provence honey! The town is home to a number of artisans who will be delighted to let you taste their different varieties.
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Aiguines musee boisWelcome to the heart of the village, where the Musée des Tourneurs sur Bois opens the doors to its ethnographic collections, proudly labeled a “Musée de France”. Explore its 250 m2 of permanent and temporary exhibits, designed to respect the environment and blend in perfectly with the surrounding landscape. Inside, discover a modern, interactive and playful scenography, designed for young and old alike. Immerse yourself in the history of the inhabitants of this pre-Alpine region, who exploited the riches of their environment through the art of woodturning from the 16th to the early 20th century.
Particularly fascinating is the story of the “ferreuses” and their “boules cloutées”, the ancestors of today’s pétanque balls, created from turned boxwood balls and covered with hundreds of tiny nails. The village made this practice its specialty, exporting its production throughout France and beyond. The museum also showcases contemporary creations, as woodturning remains firmly rooted in the life of the village, which has embraced the future with the creation of an international woodturning school. Today, the craft has evolved, focusing primarily on the production of works of art in a booming international market. The craftsman of yesteryear is now an artist. Come and discover for yourself!
An anecdote? In the past, Aiguines was an important site for the manufacture of pétanque balls. Until the early 20th century, these boules were made of wood, incorporating hundreds of nails driven into the mass, unlike the contemporary metal boules we know today. These early boules were commonly referred to as “boules cloutées”.
On vacation in Aiguines with young children? For an extraordinary experience, explore the “Ludo-Bois” workshops offered at the Musée des Tourneurs sur Bois in Aiguines, suitable for children aged 6 and over.
From the left bank of the river, as you start your journey from Aiguines, the Col d’Illoire lookout offers a privileged view of the emblematic Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Gorges du Verdon. A vantage point from which to admire much of the region’s natural heritage. From the Col d’Illoire, every detail of the landscape is revealed, inviting you to fully immerse yourself in the unspoilt beauty of the surrounding countryside. Of course, you can get there by car, but you can also get there by bike! Why not take a bike ride around the village of Aiguines and stop to admire the view from the Col d’Illoire as a reward? You can also find out more at the Vélo Loisirs Provence information office in Aiguines. Numerous cycling routes and circuits are accessible from the village, and the Vélo Loisirs Provenceteam will be delighted to help you find your way.
Belvedere Col DilloireA visit to Aiguines gives you the opportunity to relax on the beaches lining the Sainte-Croix artificial lake. If you fancy a refreshing dip in the emerald waters, head for the Galetas beach, where a supervised swimming area is available from July to August. For those keen on water sports, whether you prefer kayaking, pedal-boating, canoeing, paddle-boating, electric boating or windsurfing, you can conquer theGrandCanyon du Verdon! Note that only gasoline-powered machines are prohibited, so you can be sure of a truly unforgettable experience.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try your hand at canyoning or rafting. If you’re more at home on dry land, explore the surrounding area by taking the hiking trails that lead to the nearby village of Moustiers Sainte-Marie, either by foot at altitude, or by following ancient Roman roads to discover abandoned Provencal villages and sheepfolds. There are numerous hiking trails to suit all levels and tastes. The Grand Margès hike, for example, offers a panoramic view of the Gorges du Verdon, Lac de Sainte-Croix, the Pre-Alps mountains and the Valensole plateau, dotted with fields of wheat and lavender in season. Admire this view from the Var’s third highest peak and you’re guaranteed to be thrilled!
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Grand Marges AiguinesDo you like aerial activities? Take to the skies at Aiguines, where paragliding becomes a unique adventure between heaven and earth. Imagine yourself soaring over the Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Gorges du Verdon, embracing panoramas as intense as each other. Whether you’re a novice or an enthusiast, let yourself be guided by experienced instructors like Roc’n’Vol for an extraordinary adventure in total serenity. In Aiguines, paragliding becomes a promise of infinite freedom in the Verdon skies. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Parapente Aiguines 1Dare Intense Verdon and plunge into a thrilling experience from the top of Pont de l’Artuby, Europe’s highest bridge at 182 meters above sea level. Get ready for a real adrenalin rush as you soar through the void, offering breathtaking views of the gorge and surrounding landscape. Be sure to reserve your place, as this unique experience promises to be as intense as the panorama before you. Let yourself be tempted and awaken your inner adventurer.
Aiguines Trigance pont vide VerdonIf you like the idea of running in the great outdoors, challenging yourself physically even on vacation, and discovering new places, Aiguines is the Var’s first Trail Resort. It’s an area 100% dedicated to trail running, with trails, services and tools for beginners and enthusiasts alike. All you have to do is put on your sneakers and get to grips with the 7 trails on offer.
Exploring Aiguines opens the door to discovering neighboring villages, such as Sillans-la-Cascade, a perched commune in the Var region renowned for its charming 42-meter waterfall. A stroll through the peaceful surrounding forest reveals a lagoon with unrivalled blue waters for a refreshing break. We recommend a visit in the off-season to enjoy the peace and quiet and the opportunity for a swim, bearing in mind that the path to the waterfall takes around 25 minutes on foot.
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Ad04 008402 BdContinue your journey to the heart of the Verdon Gorge, Lake Sainte-Croix and the Valensole Plateau. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages, charms with its colorful alleyways at the foot of Montdenier. Explore this Provencal setting early in the morning or off-season to fully appreciate the calm and beauty of the village.
Finally, Valensole, spiraling around its imposing church, seduces with its colorful alleyways and lively atmosphere at the bottom of the village. Don’t miss the large fountain, the pretty bourgeois houses of rue Jules Ferry, and the medieval maze leading to the church at the very top of the village. You’ll immediately be drawn in by the lovely view over the village rooftops and the Alpine peaks in the background. Valensole is also famous for its vast lavender fields that stretch as far as the eye can see across the surrounding plains, the very essence of Provence.
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