Discover Aiguines: Woodcraft, Heritage and Nature

When choosing a hotel, your interests can make all the difference: in Aiguines, a long tradition of woodturning and the village’s heritage sit alongside hiking trails, viewpoints and swimming spots. The options and routes vary considerably, from a short walk to a viewpoint to circular trails and longer hiking destinations.

Woodcraft with a long tradition

From the 16th century onwards, Aiguines was known for high-quality woodcarving and woodturning, as well as for making nailed wooden balls. Trade in these balls flourished until the 1920s. The Musée des tourneurs sur bois is located in the heart of Aiguines and explores the history of woodworking.

The École de tournage sur bois Escoulen also welcomes participants year-round for woodturning courses. These include short courses, usually lasting one week, offered during six months of the year, as well as a six-month long-term training course comprising 700 hours of instruction in the woodturning profession. At Atelier Monnier, you can make your own wooden bowl during a half-day activity under the guidance of a woodturner. The connection to the craft thus ranges from its history to a hands-on activity.

Village history and heritage

The Romanesque Chapelle Saint-Pierre served as the parish church of the medieval village. Its viewpoint overlooks Lac de Sainte-Croix. The quickest way to reach it is from the car park opposite Camping Aigle, via an approximately five-minute walk along Chemin de Vaumalle. Check local conditions before your visit.

Château d'Aiguines is privately owned and cannot be visited. Its terraced garden is protected as a Monument Historique; however, this does not grant access to the château or the garden. If you want to explore the village’s heritage on foot, the “Entre nature et patrimoine” circular trail is a 2.0-kilometre loop starting in Aiguines. It passes through the lanes and explores the village’s history and natural and cultural heritage. The Aiguines discovery trail also introduces visitors to the municipality’s crafts and heritage. On the “Le Cristal d'artisanat” treasure hunt, visitors explore the village by solving a mystery.

Viewpoints and trails

At Col d'Illoire, a viewpoint opens up a panorama of Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Verdon Gorges. The Sentier du Col d'Illoire passes through the Vaumale cirque and offers views of the gorges. These are different ways to experience the landscape: a panoramic viewpoint or a trail that runs through the cirque.

On the Les Cavaliers–Aiguines section of the long-distance trail through the Verdon Gorges, the route passes through the Aiguines beech forest before descending to the hilltop village. The forest is designated as a controlled biological reserve. Another hike leads to Grand Margès, the third-highest peak in the Var département, and offers views of the Verdon Gorges. The hikes differ in destination and route; conditions on each route may vary.

The Imbut trail has been closed since 5 July 2022, until further notice, on the section from the descent at Les Cavaliers to the exit of the Vidal trail. Check local access conditions before setting out on a hike. A cycling route on the left bank also leads to Aiguines.

The lake and other activities

Galetas Beach offers swimming in the lake and water sports rentals. Motorboats and combustion engines are prohibited there; the route is open to everyone. The beach offers a different kind of stay from the hiking trails and viewpoints.

Roc n'Vol’s discovery day in Aiguines includes a tandem flight lasting 45 minutes to one hour, depending on the weather. For your stay, you can choose between a focus on crafts, village history, hiking, water activities and a flight; for weather-dependent activities, check the conditions for your planned date.

Discover more destinations: Draguignan, Callian, Tourves, Pignans, Vinon-Sur-Verdon, Ollières, Brignoles, Grimaud.

Go to the main travel overview: Var.