Cycling around perched villages
Visit our perched villages, refresh yourself at the Lac de Saint Cassien, hike through a forest, make the most of the wide-open spaces, taste our local produce, enjoy time with family or friends, plus even try gliding or rowing!
With their string of perched villages, the hills of the Pays de Fayence area are crisscrossed by a multitude of secretive roads that are spectacular, little-used and very enjoyable for cyclists. The natural settings change frequently with all the ups and downs, plus there are panoramic views to admire. You can count nine perched villages, each with colourful lanes, some concealing charming artists’ studios.
From €300 per person
DAY 1: THROUGH VINEYARDS AND OLIVE GROVES (Les Arcs – Seillans - 45km)
[Starting from Les Arcs train station, with the possibility of hiring electric bikes from Naturevasion]
Les Arcs- Callas
Follow the Vigne à Vélo cycle trail up to the Ste Roseline round-about, then cycle along the D54 road for c.15km before joining the Méditerranée à Vélo up to the village of Callas for a culinary stop, discovering the Moulin à huile Bérenguier, where you can put flavoured olive oils and tapenades (olive pastes) to the taste test. Then head on to the vinegar maker at Le Clos St Antoine who has set up in a former chapel, David presenting his startling range of vinegars here, plus his old-style mustards and tasty chutneys. Ride on to Bargemon, nicknamed the pearl of the Haut-Var, to explore the Ronde des Musées et des galeries d’art…. providing an unforgettable cultural discovery that will remain etched in your memory for its great diversity. Finally, you arrive in the village of Seillans.
Seillans (par Brovès en Seillans) – Fayence
Arrive in the Pays de Fayence area by crossing the vineyards and villages of the Dracénie area. Cycle along a winding, un-signposted little road, past olive groves, to come upon the picturesque village of Seillans, a member of the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. You can sign up for a free tour of the village, and of the Max Ernst Museum. Wander along the lanes, feel the history here, and meet local artists and craftspeople. For a culinary halt, head to a local producer to sample their olive oils, wines and cheeses, a treat for your taste buds.
At Seillans, leave your bike(s) to head out to discover the Bories on a family hike, starting from Notre Dame de l’Ormeau Chapel (2hrs 30mins - 7km). Pick up your bike again to ride towards Fayence. Spend a night with an Accueil Vélo-accredited accommodation provider of your choice.
DAY 2: GATHER HEIGHT CROSSING THE PAYS DE FAYENCE – (Fayence – Tourrettes – Callian - 20km)
Leave the Méditerranée à Vélo cycle route to embark on a somewhat steeper cycling circuit, visiting the perched village of Fayence – from Faventia, a favoured place where the living is good. Beside the Tour de l’Horloge belfry, admire magnificent views down on the Pays de Fayence plain and observe the great white birds overhead – gliding is popular in these parts!
Leaving Fayence, continue up to Tourrettes (taking the D219 road for 250m), another stunning perched village with views, where you’ll find art works at every street corner. Do visit the Musée d’Art et d’Essais, an artist’s studio or two, and relax on one of the shaded squares. You can find lunch and refreshments in one of the village’s many restaurants.
Follow the D219 road towards the aerodrome for a chance to take to the airs, if you’ve booked in advance for a daring introductory trip in a glider (by RDV only; tel: +33 (0) 4 94 76 00 68). On a 25-minute flight you really can admire the area’s perched villages from on high!
For a quieter, safer trip, ride along the D19 and D256 roads, then the Chemin de Beauregard towards Callian, although the way is winding. Enjoy a free tour of this characterful village, its pretty Provençal lanes spiralling up its hillside. Consider renting a mountain bike here to go on the Balade Photovoltaïque (an easy circuit - 5.1km, 45 mins, 68m shift in altitude) - https://circuits.esterel-cotedazur.com/itineraire/circuit-vtt-balade-photovoltaique-4745091/
Return towards the Méditerranée à Vélo cycle route via Notre-Dame des Roses Chapel, heading for Montauroux (2.5 km). Spend a night with an Accueil Vélo-accredited accommodation provider of your choice.
DAY 3: VIA CHAPELS AND FONTAINS (Callian – Mons - Montauroux 35km)
[We strongly advise tackling this stage on an electric bike. For a more comfortable route, we suggest doing the following circuit: Callian via Mons via the RD56 road then the RD 563 road - Fayence]
At Mons, admire the breathtaking views and the Roche Taillée’s carved-out rocks. Stop for refreshments at one of the village restaurants.
Return towards the Méditerranée à Vélo cycle route via Notre-Dame des Roses Chapel, heading towards Montauroux (2.5 km). Wander around the village lanes, looking out for the Chapelle St Barthélemy, nicknamed Dior. Stay with an Accueil Vélo-accredited accommodation provider either in Callian or Montauroux.
DAY 4: RELAXING BESIDE SAINT CASSIEN LAKE (Callian- Montauroux- Lac de Saint Cassien- (Tanneron)- Grasse - 20km)
On the western end of Saint Cassien Lake, enjoy an outing to discover Fondurane Nature Reserve (1hr 45min - 5km-50m on foot or by bike, from Fondurane: 20km / shift in altitude +250m).
Just 5km from the route, admire the turquoise waters of Saint Cassien Lake and explore the exhibition space at the Maison du Lac.
You can picnic here, cool off, hire a pedalo and go canoeing or swimming, or even rowing.
Rejoin the Méditerranée à Vélo towards Le Tignet in the direction of the bamboo woods, Les Bambous du Mandarin. Following the Route des Balcons d’Azur, you come to the French capital of perfume, Grasse. Here, take time to explore the old town, go on a free tour of one of the tourist-geared perfumers, Fragonard, Galimard or Molinard, or then visit the Musée International de la Parfumerie, teaching you many of the secrets of perfume-making. It’s possible to take a train from Grasse to Cannes and then on to Les Arcs.
Cycling touring map for A stunning trip into the hinterland of the Var and the Côte d’Azur
Detailed trail at: https://bit.ly/3jTTed8
GPX tracks available from My Maps, by clicking on the icon ‘‘télécharger l’itinéraire en KML’’ (download the route in KML), then import the tracks via a tracking app such as OpenRunner.
Getting there:
By train, via the SNCF station Les Arcs / Draguignan, or then by car.
Your bike rental company for the trip is located in Saint-Antonin du Var (but it is possible to have your bike(s) delivered to Les Arcs-Draguignan railway station). To return your bike(s) at the end of the trip, there are two options available – either leave it / them at Les Arcs or at Seillans, agreeing in advance with the bike rental company at which place and for what price.