Draguignan: Culture, Markets and Hiking Trails

Draguignan offers a range of ways to enjoy a stay: cultural history, museums, markets and trails through the countryside. A prehistoric dolmen and a memorial site sit alongside attractions showcasing art and regional history. The hiking trails, meanwhile, are all about viewpoints and nature watching. You can choose your destination based on the interests that matter most for your stay.

Cultural History and Museums

The Pierre de la Fée is a dolmen dating to 2,500 BC and is protected as a Monument historique. The Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial in Draguignan is the burial place of 861 American soldiers, including 62 unknown soldiers, who died during the fighting in 1944. A Wall of the Missing at the cemetery lists 294 Americans whose bodies were never found or identified. These two sites represent different historical points of reference: a prehistoric monument and a memorial to the fighting of 1944.

At the Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires, ethnographic collections document agricultural, industrial, religious and festive activities, as well as local know-how from the 19th and 20th centuries. Themed tours with tastings of regional products are available for adult groups of ten or more. The Musée de l’Artillerie explores the human and technical history of artillery from 1324 to the present day. It is fully open to the public; the collection includes old and modern cannons, ammunition, reconstructions, uniforms and small arms.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Draguignan focuses on the visual arts and holds the Musée de France label. The Micro-Folie offers a different way to experience art: its virtual museum features more than 3,200 digitized works in very high resolution. Visitors can explore the collections independently using a tablet connected to a large screen. Program details may change, so it is worth checking the latest information before your visit.

The digital tour of the Quartier des Arts also brings history to life, this time from the Middle Ages to the present day. QR codes on buildings guide visitors through local history. Another landmark is the Tour de l’Horloge: the historic monument is 24 metres high, and 79 steps lead to the top. From there, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Dracénie countryside. As visitor arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

Markets and Daily Life in Draguignan

Food and non-food markets are held every Wednesday and Saturday morning at Place du Marché, on Rue Pierre Clément and along Boulevard Jean-Jaurès. If you plan to visit a market, check the market day before you travel. This will help you factor the weekly schedule into your stay.

Views and Nature on the Hiking Trails

The hiking trails each offer something different. The Sentier le toit du Malmont leads to the summit of Malmont, which stands 604 metres high. The Sentier des arbousiers has two viewpoints; the second offers views of Draguignan. There is an orientation table at an altitude of 500 metres on the Sentier botanique. It shows a panorama stretching from the Bay of Fréjus to the peaks of the Massif des Maures; on clear days, the view also reaches the Mediterranean.

Another way to take in the scenery is to stroll along the banks of the Nartuby between La Clappe and La Granégone. The area is home to remarkable wildlife and plant life. Viewpoints, a summit destination and opportunities to observe nature each offer a different reason to spend time on the trails around Draguignan. When choosing among these options, consider whether you are most interested in a viewpoint, a panorama or the local wildlife and plant life.

Discover more destinations: Ponteves, Rians, Correns, Montmeyan, Signes, Sainte-Maxime, Entrecasteaux, Cuers.

For the regional travel overview: Var.