Small village of charm in the middle of the Massif des Maures, Collobrières is located to the north of Bormes the Mimosas. The road that takes you there is exotic despite its short duration (20-30 minutes from the village district). The vegetation changes drastically from the seaside, the air is fresher there. We cross chestnut groves, because this village is world famous for its culture of chestnut ! And especially for the fabulous period of the chestnut festival which takes place on the last three Sundays of October. Let yourself be guided by the smell of hot chestnuts, and by the attraction of a “village of charactere" !
The Chestnut Queen
It is she who forged the reputation of the village. All year round one visits Collobrieres to find a (or more!) pot of Chestnut cream, bring back candied chestnuts in your suitcase or even go and enjoy a chestnut ice cream. What a gourmet pleasures within reach in artisanal confectioneries, such as the Azurean confectionery ! They prepare in all different ways the chestnuts that grow in the chestnut groves of the commune. The fruit is highlighted and honored every year during the traditional chestnut festival. Many craft stands, activities, discovery workshops and demonstrations take place throughout the village. Chestnut cultivation represents the local heritage, so it is forbidden to pick them wild.
A small village full of charm
A must is to stroll through the small authentic village. Cross the bridge, enter the heart of a place nestled in the middle of the forest. A situation that earned it the title of “Capital of the Moors“. Discover freely by yourself, or opt for an augmented version of the visit. Immerse yourself in the history of this typically Provençal place thanks to the free application “Archistoire” which immerses you in the Collobrières of yesteryear. The circuit lasts one hour, starting from the Collobrières tourist office. You can also visit the geological museum which explains the geological and paleontological heritage of Massif des Maures, to go even further into the story.
Hikes and hidden treasures
Indeed Collobrieres is exotic because its vegetation is very different from that of Bormes. It is denser and greener, with of course the presence of large trees such as chestnut trees. In the middle of this favorable environment, find superb hiking trails hiking. Among the most spectacular is the one that leads to the Chartreuse de la Verne, a historic monastery in the middle of the forest. You will need to take the D214 and park at the rest area before arriving at the monastery. A loop will allow you to enjoy superb views of the building, but also to access it. The Chartreuse de la Verne can be visited all year round, with different opening hours depending on the season. Then you will also find the spectacular hike leading to the menhirs of Lamberts plateau, or even trails shorter ones going around the village like the “Discovery” or “Botanical” trail.
⚠️ Please note that during the summer period, access to the massifs may be restricted due to fire risks. It is important to check with the prefecture.
