Tourrettes brings together local history, open-air art and paths through a landscape shaped by waterworks. If you’re looking for a culturally oriented getaway, you’ll find several distinct points of interest here: a restored dolmen, Roman water engineering, a church with a long building history, and two museums. When planning your visit, it’s worth distinguishing between exploring the village and hiking to the Forêt domaniale de Tourrettes. When looking for a hotel in Tourrettes, these interests can help guide your choice, without dictating the same itinerary for every stay.

Art and history in the village

The Dolmen de la Verrerie Vieille was restored and designated a historic monument in 1987. The Roman canal offers another glimpse of historic water engineering: it carried water from the Siagnole to Fréjus and runs underground in places through the northeastern part of the commune. These two landmarks highlight different aspects of the past: the dolmen is a single restored monument, while the canal is about the water supply between the Siagnole and Fréjus. Tourrettes thus offers visitors interested in archaeology and engineering several facets of its history.

The Eglise Saint André can also be understood through two building phases: it was built in the 11th century and completely rebuilt in the 15th century on a single-nave plan in the Provençal Renaissance style. You can ask for the key at the town hall to visit; check locally whether this access arrangement is still in effect. The square, 20 m-high Tour de l’Horloge rises above the medieval village centre. From the tower, there are panoramic views of the Château du Puy, the Maures and the Esterel mountains. The church and tower therefore offer different perspectives on architectural history and the village landscape.

Open-air art and museums

The Musée à Ciel ouvert displays paintings, sculptures and mosaics along the streets of Tourrettes. Admission is free all year round. The Musée d'Art et d'Essais de Tourrettes additionally presents original works by the art dealer and writer Paul-Maurice Perrier-Morillon, as well as works by artists from the village. Admission there is also free of charge all year round. Check the current access arrangements for both museums before travelling. This way, you can choose between artworks in the village and the collections of a museum.

Circular route and paths to the Forêt domaniale

The Circuit patrimoine de Tourrettes is a 1.9 km circular route starting in Tourrettes. Another hike, “Promenade: Vers la forêt domaniale – Tourrettes”, passes the restored Lavoir du Boudoura and the ruins of the now-disused Moulin brûlé. The lavoir has a roof of Roman tiles supported by pillars made of limestone rubble. It is also the starting point for a hike to the Forêt domaniale de Tourrettes. The Forêt domaniale is crossed by numerous canals and aqueducts, including underground sections. The options differ in how they are described: the Circuit has a stated length, while the other hike can be described by its named waypoints. Check local conditions before setting out.

Getting there and choosing your stay

Tourrettes can be reached by car via the A8 motorway, exit 39, “Les Adrets, Fayence”; check current road conditions before travelling. When looking for a hotel in Tourrettes, you can start by choosing your focus: art and architectural history, or a hike with named waypoints.

Discover more destinations: Toulon, Collobrieres, Aups, Châteauvert, Sollies-Toucas, Cuers, La Farlede, Solliès-Pont.

View the regional travel guide: Var.