Escapade Bagnols-en-Forêt
OT de Bagnols en Forêt:
575, Grande Rue
83600 Bagnols-en-Forêt
Tél : 04.94.40.64.68
The village of Bagnols en Forêt certainly lives up to its name, with 80% of its territory covered in forest offering attractive walking routes through unspoilt countryside.
Let's start with the discovery of the village
Perched 300m above sea-level in the foothills of the Estérel Mountains, Bagnols en Forêt has all the charm of a typical Provençal village: steep lanes, village square bordered with century old plane trees and a church surrounded by horse-chestnut trees. This tranquil and rural postcard scene includes four chapels and two very pretty wash-houses, standing as testaments to the village’s past. You can delve further into the village’s history by visiting the local museum, packed with archaeological finds that highlight its artisanal heritage and recount Bagnols en Forêt’s past.
Statue of a child with goose
One of the village’s must-sees is the statue of The Child with Goose at the Siagnole Fountain in the Town Hall Square, an exact replica of the bronze statue stolen in 1993, which in turn was a copy of a statue dating back to 3 BCE and currently housed in the Gallery of the Candelabra in the Vatican. A collection raised funds to replace the stolen statue and return it to its place in the heart of the village.
The great outdoors
The appropriately named village of Bagnols en Forêt boasts many and varied wooded walking paths, including the ‘Old Path’ at an altitude of 380m. The paths each have their own individual interest, some taking walkers past the fortress opidum, the Blavet gorge and canyon, the Gourbachin waterfall, the prehistoric Muéron caves to name a few.
They similarly vary in level of sporting difficulty, leading walkers through undergrowth, over rocks, past oak trees, and under the branches of horse-chestnut trees, providing views of the Pierre-du-Coucou mountain pass, the GR51 trekking route and the Gardiette Peak.
An ancient place of interest and breath-taking views
One of the routes above Bagnols en Forêt partially follows the GR51 trekking path and takes walkers to a quarry site where millstones for producing grain and oil used to be cut directly from rock.
The site holds the remains of an industry that lasted from 2 BCE to 18th century. Apart from the fascinating quarry, the site also offers truly beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Location
Rejoindre Bagnols en Forêt
Depuis Nice, prendre l’autoroute A8 en direction de Marseille. Rouler environ 50km et emprunter la sortie n° 38 Fréjus.
- Au premier rond-point, prendre la première sortie sur l’avenue Jean Lachenaud,
- au second rond-point prendre la première sortie,
- au troisième rond-point, prendre la 3e sortie sur la rue du Caporal Hadjhoudef,
- au quatrième rond-point, prendre la 2e sortie sur la D4.
Continuer sur la D4 jusqu’à atteindre Bagnols.