Malaussène: Mountain Village in the Var, History and Hiking Trails

Malaussène lies at the entrance to the Gorges de la Mescla, on the right bank of the Var. The village itself sits on a ridge at an altitude of 375 metres on the northern slope of Mont Vial, overlooking the valley. For your stay, you can choose between different focuses: the landscape, hiking or the history of the village.

Landscape and views

The municipal area consists mostly of valleys and small limestone peaks. Its highest point is the 1,418-metre Col de Serse. The village’s position on the ridge adds its own distinctive feature: from here, the view opens out over the valley. The village’s elevation and the peaks within the municipal area are therefore distinct features, although both are part of Malaussène’s landscape.

The Chapelle Saint-Joseph is also associated with a viewpoint. It stands on a hilltop and offers a view over the Var Valley. The chapel dates from the 17th century. If you are interested in architectural history, you can plan to visit it alongside the other historic buildings as a separate focus of your sightseeing.

Village history and buildings

The ruins of the original village and its castle remain in Malaussène-d’en-Haut. The remains include impressive Cyclopean walls. Malaussène-d’en-Haut can be reached via a very steep footpath in about 15 minutes; trail conditions may vary. The short estimated time should therefore not be taken to mean that access is easy: the steep climb is explicitly part of the route’s character.

The Église Notre Dame de l’Assomption dates from 1639. Its exterior combines Romanesque and Gothic elements, and its square bell tower is of the Lombard type. The church’s interior is Baroque. Visits are possible after contacting the town hall secretariat in advance and arranging an appointment during town hall opening hours. Confirm the arrangement again before your visit.

Another notable chapter in Malaussène’s history is its water supply: the 40-metre-high Viaduc de la Ratte was built between 1770 and 1775 to carry water to the village. The canal intended to supply Malaussène is seven kilometres long; construction began in 1714 and took 60 years. The viaduct and canal tell the story of Malaussène’s historic water supply.

Hiking around Malaussène

The Circuit du Serse starts in Malaussène at an altitude of 380 metres. The 2022 route guide rates the hike as moderately difficult and gives a duration of three hours and 30 minutes. Along the way, the route passes through shady undergrowth and by rocks smoothed by erosion in the remote Serse Valley. This offers a different way to experience the landscape than the view from the ridge or hilltop.

The stated duration and difficulty level are features of this route description. Check trail conditions before setting out, as they may vary. The walk to Malaussène-d’en-Haut and the Circuit du Serse are separate options: the footpath to the ruins is estimated to take about 15 minutes, while the route guide gives a duration of three hours and 30 minutes for the Circuit.

Getting there and planning

The village is accessible via a narrow, two-kilometre road with several hairpin bends. For rail travel, the 2022 route guide lists the Chemins de Fer de Provence from Nice, with a stop at Malaussène. Check the current timetable and service status before planning your journey.

If you are looking for a hotel in Malaussène, the local attractions can help you plan your day: views and scenery, historic buildings or a hike. Take the different conditions for visits and trails into account. This lets you tailor your stay to your planned activities without conflating the short, steep path to the ruins with the longer hike on the Circuit du Serse.

Discover more destinations: Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Caille, Saint-Blaise, Cabris, Guillaumes, Caussols, La Trinité, Opio.

For the broader travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.