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Gonfaron

Pop.: 2.828 h
Var Department

South of the A8 and N7, between Brignoles ( 23 km via Flassans) and Le Luc 10 km away.

9 photos

"Nestling at the foot of the Maures range, and dominated by Notre Dame des Anges (765 m) , Gonfaron is a quiet little village built around a hill overlooked by the St Quinis chapel.

According to a XVth century legend Gonfaron is the village where donkeys fly. For a long time Gonfaron's livelihood was based on the cork industry thanks to the plentiful resources from the trees which adorn the Maures range.

An interesting rural museum bears witness to this period. During your visit don't miss the opportunity to sit a while at one of the café's terraces,

gently sipping a pastis under the shade of the plane trees.

For children (and others!), the Tortoise Village where the famous Herman tortoise lives, is worth a detour."

Gonfaron a quick visit

The Carmaraute Oppidum (footpath, superb views), Clock tower and campanile (XVIth century ) , St Quinis chapel (XIXth century ) and orientation table, Notre Dame des Anges chapel built at 765 m in the XIXth century which hosts "ex-voto" some of which date back to 1685, cork rural museum, the donkey hamlet, tortoise village, footpaths and horses riding, F1 driving courses.

Places to visit :

The rural cork museum :
This interesting museum explains the cork making process (from the tree to final use). A cork making workshop has been reconstituted using ancient machinery. Open all year from 10h - 12h and from 14h - 16h.
Closed Sunday and Monday. Visits on Mondays by prior arrangement.
Tel : 04.94.78.25.65.

Don't miss :

The Tortoise village :
A place which is unique in the world. At the Tortoise village they harbour, study and protect the Hermann tortoise. Best times to visit are, in summer at feeding times in the morning (10h/11h) or around 17h/18h... and the rest of the year during the warm times of day.

Open daily March - November 9h - 18h (9h - 19h May - September). Closed December, January and February. Tel. 04.94.78.26.41 - fax. 04.94.78.24.27. The donkey hamlet is just across the road.

Take a walk :

Visiting the Notre Dame des Anges chapel offers the opportunity of a pleasant round walk in the Maures. Take the Pignans direction and on the straight road at the level of the village take a left along the rail road track.

Then follow signs to the view point (you can see it from the plain, it's the highest point with the TV mast). At the summit, 765 meters, a chapel and pilgrimage was built in the XIX th century. In the entrance there is a cloister with bedrooms for the pilgrims. In the nave there is a Virgin Mary in walnut (XVIIth century ) and some ex-voto some of which date back to 1685.

From the chapel's dominating position, set in the heart of the chestnut trees, you can see as far as the Giens peninsular. Return to Gonfaron by the Fourches pass, where, if you have the time you can walk as far as Collobrières and the Chartreuse de la Verne.

Information :

Tourist Office
Hôtel de Ville
83590 GONFARON
Tel : + 33 4.94.78.30.05
Fax : + 33 4.94.78.25.99

Neighbouring Villages :

Pignans (6 km) Les Mayons (6 km),
Collobrières (16 km) et Flassans sur Issole (11 km ).