Barjols can be explored through two defining themes: water and leatherworking. The Circuit des fontaines et lavoirs highlights fountains and wash houses; the Quartier des Tanneries and Quartier du Réal bring the town’s tanning history to the fore. There is also the natural area along the Fauvery and a calendar of recurring festivals. When planning your trip, you can choose between waterside walks, local history and visiting during a festival.

Waterways and Walks

The 30-hectare Vallon des Carmes natural area lies on the heights of Barjols. It has been developed as a walking route along the Fauvery River, where you can enjoy walks, historical discoveries and swimming. Swimming is unsupervised, and seasonal restrictions may apply. The route through the Vallon follows rivers and cascades, including the Gué du Fauvery and the Cascade des Carmes.

The Vallon is accessible only on foot from the Crouchet car park; the route is 1 km long and takes about 15 minutes. Seasonal closures or protective measures may affect access. Check the latest information about access and swimming before your visit.

For a second perspective on the town’s water heritage, take the Circuit des fontaines et lavoirs. It is freely accessible; you can get a paper guide from the tourist office. While the circuit highlights fountains and wash houses, the Vallon offers river scenery, walks and historical discoveries. This lets you choose whether to focus on local history or nature during your time in Barjols.

Tanning History and Neighbourhoods

The Quartier des Tanneries grew out of the leather tanning industry, once important to Barjols, and has become a neighbourhood of contemporary artists’ studios. The Tanneries can be viewed from the outside year-round; visits to artists’ studios are possible by appointment. Arrange a time in advance if you would like to visit a studio. The small Cascade du Fauvery is near the Quartier des Tanneries.

The Quartier du Réal is the oldest neighbourhood in Barjols. It preserves the town’s first tanning vats, as well as oil and grain mills and fulling mills for cloth. The variety of these facilities shows that the neighbourhood’s history is not solely tied to tanning: oil, grain and cloth processing are also part of its surviving traces of production.

Festivals and Local Traditions

At the annual Saint-Marcel celebration, religious services at the Église collégiale Notre-Dame, also known as the collégiale Saint-Marcel, are followed by the “Dance of the Tripettes”.

Held annually on the second weekend of August, the Foire du Cuir celebrates Barjols’ leatherworking tradition. The weekend offers a specific seasonal reference point; check the dates for the relevant year before travelling. The two events offer different options when choosing when to visit: the Foire takes place on the second weekend of August, while the Saint-Marcel celebration is an annual tradition.

Traditional bugades are still practised occasionally in Barjols.

Discover more destinations: Six-Fours-Les-Plages, Hyères, La Garde, Ramatuelle, Rayol-Canadel-Sur-Mer, Auribeau-Sur-Siagne, Bandol, Callas

View the broader travel overview: Var.