La Celle combines a historical perspective spanning many centuries with specific themes of nature and wine: the grounds of the Abbaye de La Celle also contain the remains of a Roman villa, while the Chemin d’Engardin passes through garrigue below the Candelon. Other highlights include the Romanesque Eglise Ste Perpétue, the Caramy flowing through the village and wine tastings. Whether you are choosing a destination for culture, landscapes or wine, La Celle offers several clearly distinct points of interest.

Abbaye de La Celle: Two Periods in Time

The Abbaye de La Celle as it is known today was built between the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Its grounds also contain the remains of a Roman villa. The villa remained in operation as a major agricultural estate until the 6th century. These dates describe different chapters: the villa’s agricultural operation and the later construction of the abbey. This helps put the site’s long history into context without treating both developments as part of the same building history.

The abbey offers a visitor booklet with maps and historical information. If you would like to include the booklet in your visit planning, check in advance how it is currently made available. The maps and texts offer two specific aids to orientation: one spatial and one historical. This makes it possible to explore the abbey not only through its construction period, but also through the history of the site.

Eglise Ste Perpétue and the Crucifix

The Eglise Ste Perpétue is a former Romanesque chapel of the Abbaye de La Celle and is classified as a historic monument. The church houses a carved Catalan wooden crucifix from the 14th century. These bring together two distinct cultural and historical points of reference: the church’s former role as an abbey chapel and a dated work of art. The crucifix dates from after the abbey was built, offering a separate perspective on the history of the site.

La Celle in the Parc naturel régional de la Sainte Baume

La Celle lies within the Parc naturel régional de la Sainte Baume. The Caramy runs through the village, which is also situated in a valley dominated by the Massif de la Loube. These are distinct geographical features: the river runs through the village, while the massif shapes the valley. If you are more interested in the landscape than in individual buildings when choosing a destination, these details offer a concrete picture of the natural surroundings and their setting.

Chemin d’Engardin: Garrigue and Views

The Chemin d’Engardin is a clearly described route through the landscape. It starts at the cemetery car park in La Celle and ends in La Celle. The trail passes through garrigue below the Candelon and offers views of the surrounding plains and mountains. Both the terrain described and the viewpoints are key considerations when choosing this route. The starting point at the cemetery car park is useful for planning. Seasonal access restrictions may apply, and parking regulations may change. Check the current conditions before setting out.

Wine Tastings in La Celle

The Maison des Coteaux Varois en Provence offers wine tastings and wine sales in La Celle. Wine is therefore a distinct theme to consider when choosing your stay, alongside history and landscapes. You can visit the Maison for a tasting or to buy wine, adding another specific point of interest to your plans.

Discover more destinations: Le Luc, Villecroze, Carqueiranne, Bargème, Mazaugues, Montauroux, Esparron, Forcalqueiret

For the broader travel overview: Var.