Discover Seillans through its many points of interest: the medieval village bears traces of its defensive history and religious past, alongside art, marked hiking trails, a section of EuroVelo 8 and an olive mill that is still operating. If you’re looking for a hotel in Seillans, consider whether you want your days to focus mainly on village history, hiking, cycling or olive culture.
Medieval Village and Religious History
The historic village landscape includes the Saracen Gate, castle ruins, and numerous fountains and washhouses. The Porte Sarrazine was built in the 12th century and formed part of the defensive quarter that protected the castle.
Saint-Léger Church also dates back to the 12th century. In the 17th century, it became the village’s principal religious centre. The church and the gate thus offer complementary historical reference points, while serving different purposes.
Two kilometres from the village stands the Notre-Dame-de-l’Ormeau Chapel, also known as Notre-Dame-des-Essarts. Dating back to the 12th century, it houses one of the finest Baroque-inspired winged altarpieces in Provence. It has been listed as a historic monument by decree since 16 October 1930. Visits are by prior reservation only; contact the tourist office to arrange one.
Art can also be found among the shady lanes and squares: galleries and artists’ studios welcome visitors. The Maison Waldberg permanently exhibits part of Stan Appenzeller’s work.
Hiking and Cycling Around Seillans
For cycling, the Seillans section of EuroVelo 8 runs from Claviers, over the Rayol Viaduct, to Fayence. It is one of the best-preserved sections of the route. Cyclists will find it offers a different way to explore the area from the network of hiking trails.
Seillans has around 100 kilometres of marked trails for hiking, spread across about a dozen circular routes that can be adapted to suit your needs. These include the 32-kilometre Grand Tour de Seillans. You can explore the walking options as a separate activity alongside the cycling route, rather than treating both as a single itinerary.
Olive Mill and Natural Environment
Another local highlight is the municipal olive mill: it is the only mill still operating in the village, was built in 1830, and continues to use traditional grinding and pressing methods. The mill is open to the public during the Fête de l’Olive. If you are planning a visit, note that public access is tied to the festival.
The natural environment also has a clearly defined, limited connection to the area. A small part of southern Seillans, toward Lac de MĂ©aulx, lies within Natura 2000 Special Protection Areas and zones of ecological and faunal interest. Rare species and habitats can be found there.
Discover more destinations: Rayol-Canadel-Sur-Mer, Sainte-Maxime, Forcalqueiret, Callas, Cotignac, Sollies-Toucas, Villecroze, Saint-Paul-En-ForĂŞt
See the full travel guide: Var.
