Fox-Amphoux: Fossils, Local History and Walking Trails

Fox-Amphoux offers several distinct points of interest for planning a trip: dinosaur fossils at the DinoFox Museo, religious art in the Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, a Roman archaeological discovery and the Le trésor du petit peuple walking trail. These topics appeal to different interests. If you’re mainly planning a hike, the route length, approximate duration and difficulty level are useful; for cultural interests, the museum, church and archaeological sites offer specific points of reference.

DinoFox Museo and Dinosaur Fossils

The DinoFox Museo is a free municipal museum dedicated to the 75-million-year-old dinosaur fossils discovered in Fox-Amphoux. It is located in the former cooperative winery on Place de la mairie in Fox-Amphoux. A visit to the museum therefore combines a clearly defined subject with a specific location in the village.

On display are life-size reconstructions of Provençal dinosaurs, fossil skeletons including an impressive carnivore, and authentic fossils from the region. Interactive educational exhibits complement the displays. The exhibition thus distinguishes between reconstructed dinosaurs and regional finds; the skeletons and interactive exhibits broaden this perspective on fossils.

The exhibition format may change. Check which displays are currently on view before your visit. Visitor arrangements may also change; check access details in advance.

Religious Art and Roman Archaeological Finds

The Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption contains an old altarpiece, several gilded wooden statues and a crucifix believed to date from the 17th century. An altarpiece is an ornamental structure behind an altar. Together with the crucifix and statues, it provides a specific way to explore the church’s religious artworks; the date of the crucifix is stated with due caution.

A significant Roman site was excavated at the archaeological sites of Le Logis and Clastres in the 1960s. The excavation revealed an ancient villa and an ancient temple. These two structures represent different types of ancient buildings. The archaeological history complements the theme of religious art with an archaeological perspective on the Roman past.

Panoramic Views and Trails

Vieux Fox offers panoramic views of the surrounding hamlets and more distant mountain ranges. The view therefore takes in both the nearby surroundings and mountains in the distance. If you’re interested in landscapes, this viewpoint is a distinct attraction alongside the museum, church and archaeological history.

A paved path lined with oratories leads down to the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours, which is housed in a grotto. The path’s surface, oratories and descent are among its specific features; the chapel itself is located in the grotto. This brings the stops along the path and the chapel’s distinctive setting into focus as separate aspects of the access route described.

Le trésor du petit peuple: Route and Treasure Hunt

The Le trésor du petit peuple walking trail is 4.5 kilometres long, with a walking time of about 2 hours and 15 minutes. It is rated very easy and marked with yellow waymarks and Randonner Autrement signs. These details give you several specific points of reference for your hike: distance, approximate time, difficulty level and marking system.

The hike also features a treasure hunt for children aged four and up and passes the Chapelle Saint-Ulfar. The children’s activity is specifically the treasure hunt and its stated age range; the chapel is named as a stop along the route. As trail conditions can change seasonally, check them before setting out. This allows you to plan the hike based on its stated features while taking seasonal conditions into account.

Discover more destinations: Châteauvert, Le Flayosquet, Grimaud, Saint-Julien, Carces, Entrecasteaux, Cogolin, Garéoult.

For the broader travel overview: Var.