The upper part of Touët-sur-Var is a remarkable example of a village perched on a rocky outcrop. In the Haut-Village, history, views and special details of the old village come together. If you are considering a stay here, you will find both a self-guided walk and further trails and notable landmarks from the village’s history.
On foot through the Haut-Village
You can explore the Haut-Village on a self-guided walk. It includes the remains of a castle. Several trails also lead from the ruins of the former castle. If you plan to take these trails, check the conditions locally. This helps distinguish the walk through the village from the trails that continue beyond it.
The walk includes an orientation board. It also leads to a viewpoint at the upper end of the village, where you can look out over the Var Valley. The old village also has doors painted in a street-art style. The castle remains and the decorated doors give the walk different points of interest: here you will encounter both historic remains and striking artistic touches to the village’s appearance.
Portraits, exhibition and olive mill
The Galerie des Présidents displays portraits of all French presidents, beginning with Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte. The collection is unique in France. The gallery is located in the town hall, opposite the Belvédère des Présidents; check the location again before your visit.
The town hall also houses the permanent exhibition “REGARDS sur Touët-sur-Var”, featuring photographs and paintings. It also houses an old olive mill with millstones and a press that is still operational. The portraits, the exhibition’s images and the milling equipment offer different ways to discover Touët-sur-Var: from the national gallery of portraits to photographs and paintings, and an operational olive mill.
Two churches from different periods
The Eglise Saint-Martin dates from the late 17th century and is built above a waterfall. Inside are a gilded wooden high altar and an altarpiece dating from 1649. Both the church’s unusual location and its furnishings are notable features of a visit.
The Romanesque Chapelle Saint-Martin stands in the lower village and dates from the 11th or 12th century. The two churches therefore differ both in their location in the village and in the periods to which they belong: the chapel dates from the 11th or 12th century, while the Eglise Saint-Martin dates from the late 17th century. If you are interested in architectural history, you can take these different periods into account when choosing which places to visit.
Hiking and trails as planning options
The “Traversée Touët-sur-Var–Villars-sur-Var” hike starts at the car park on the RD 6202, at an altitude of 340 metres. Its starting point is therefore clearly specified. This is separate from the route from the train station to the village, which passes small canals and a watermill.
When planning, the different options should not be conflated: the self-guided walk focuses on the Haut-Village, while the named hike connects Touët-sur-Var and Villars-sur-Var. The route from the train station to the village, in turn, passes canals and the watermill. So, when deciding whether to visit Touët-sur-Var, you can focus on village history, views or a hike, while keeping the stated starting points distinct.
Discover more destinations: Sauze, Cipières, Menton, La Brigue, Le Cannet, La Penne, Aiglun, Séranon.
To the regional travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.
