Trans-En-Provence brings together a landscape shaped by water, an unusual history of technology, historic buildings and olive oil. The Nartuby flows through the centre and has carved deep gorges there over time. The Puits aérien adds a distinctive technological feature. Architectural and religious history, along with regional products, round out the themes. When planning your trip, you can weigh up whether landscape, technology, architecture or olive oil should shape your stay most.
The Nartuby and the Boucle du Calant
The Boucle du Calant circular trail also explores the geological features of the gorges. It has connected information panels that offer additional videos via NFC and QR codes. These explain the geology of the gorges, the mills and the operation of the hydroelectric power plant. This brings together different water-related topics: how the gorges formed, the mills and the use of hydropower. The videos add an explanatory layer to the trail, addressing technical connections as well as the landscape.
The digital information may change over time. If a particular video is important to your plans, check the information before your visit.
The history of technology and architecture
The Puits aérien was built in 1931 by the Belgian engineer Achille Knapen. Its purpose was to collect atmospheric moisture through condensation. At its heart is a specific technological idea: extracting moisture from the air. The Puits aérien has been listed as a historic monument since 9 December 1983.
The Hôtel de Ville was built between 1779 and 1781 and has a façade in the Louis XV style. The heritage protection also applies to this part of the building: the façade was listed as a historic monument by an order dated 16 November 1949.
Several dates can be distinguished in the history of the Church of Saint Victor. The present church already existed in the 13th century. It was rebuilt in 1490, and on 22 November 1496 Nicolas de Fiesque, Bishop of Fréjus, consecrated the church. The medieval structure and the events of the late 15th century thus provide different chronological reference points for its architectural history.
The Chapelle Notre Dame was built at the end of the 15th century. It contains a Pietà donated by Queen Marie-Amélie, the wife of Louis-Philippe. The date of construction and a specific attributed artwork come together here: the chapel can be understood through both its origins and the history of the Pietà.
Olive oil and tastings
Oliveraie La Colline offers another facet of the area: different varieties of olive oil are produced there, and products are available for tasting. For travellers who want to include olive oil in their interests alongside the landscape and architectural history, it offers a culinary point of interest. Tastings and the range of oils complement the historic themes with a direct insight into local products.
Discover more destinations: Varages, Neoules, Bormes-Les-Mimosas, Auribeau-Sur-Siagne, Carces, Tanneron, Gassin, Bras.
For the broader travel overview: Var.
