Ampus: Heritage, Stations of the Cross and Historic Routes

Ampus is perched on a hillside above the Nartuby Gorge. Its distinctive features range from religious buildings and archaeological remains to historic routes and the annual transhumance. These varied themes can help you decide what kind of stay might suit you. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ampus, you can first consider whether the town’s history, heritage or landscape above the gorge is your main interest.

Stations of the Cross and path to the grotto

The Chemin de Croix d’Ampus comprises 14 stations set into the rock and glazed. Geoff Hindry created the path on the site of the former feudal castle; it leads to the grotto. The combination of the crafted stations and the path to the grotto is a clear draw for visitors interested in the town’s religious history. The Chemin de croix et point de vue is open daily year-round. Check the current access conditions before your visit, as they may change.

Chapel, church and dolmen

The Chapelle Notre-Dame de Spéluque dates from the 10th century and is classified as a “Monument historique.” It was classified by decree on 26 June 1990: the chapel’s great age and the precisely dated formal recognition are two distinct historical reference points. The Église Saint-Michel d’Ampus was originally the chapel of the feudal castle and was then dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. It was given two additional naves in succession, in 1728 and 1762. The church thus offers a way to place both its former function and two later expansions in their historical context. At the Dolmen de Marencq, a restoration carried out by Jean Courtin returned the monument to its original architectural form. The dolmen bears witness to the presence of a community in the area for more than 4,000 years. In contrast to the dated phases of the churches, it points to a much older history of settlement.

Historic routes and early traces of settlement

The voie Aurélienne, a Roman road between Fréjus and Riez dating from the Gallo-Roman period, is still visible in Ampus between the hamlets of Le Bosquet and La Grange. Its construction varies from one section to another: it is six metres wide in places; on the slope between Olves and Ste-Anne d’Ampus, it is cut into the hillside and supported by a dry-stone wall. Ampus also lies on a branch of the Via Aurelia between Fréjus and Riez. Another archaeological site is the Oppidum de l’Englugi: it is thought to have formed a fully fledged town during the Celto-Ligurian period. The Chemin de l’eau offers a chance to experience the use of the 500-year-old Fontigon canal. This adds a further perspective on water use to the history of roads and settlement remains.

Transhumance and themed routes

Every year during the transhumance season, large flocks of sheep pass through Ampus along the “drailles.” Unlike the permanent buildings and archaeological remains, this is a recurring movement through the town. Ampus is also a stop on the Villages de Caractère du Var tourist route and the Monastères du Var cultural route. These two route connections place the town in different themed travel contexts: as a stop on a tourist circuit and as part of a cultural route. In Ampus, individual buildings, historic routes and an annual tradition thus offer distinct starting points for planning a trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Comps-Sur-Artuby, Les Arcs Sur Argens, La Valette-Du-Var, Cavalaire-Sur-Mer, Varages, Esparron, Gonfaron, Bargème

For the broader travel overview: Var.