La Celle: Abbey, Landscape and Wine

La Celle can be explored for travel planning through several specific themes: the history of the Abbaye de La Celle, the river and valley landscape, the Chemin d’Engardin and wine tastings. This allows you to weigh up whether cultural history, nature or wine should shape your stay. The following sections distinguish between these themes and offer pointers to help you place La Celle in context as a travel destination.

Abbaye de La Celle and earlier traces

The Abbaye de La Celle known today was built between the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The grounds of the abbey also contain the remains of a Roman villa, which remained in operation as a major agricultural estate until the 6th century. This brings together periods separated by a considerable span of time: the villa points to a long history of agricultural use, while the abbey’s construction history dates to the Middle Ages. For your travel choices, these are two distinct historical themes, not a single building history.

Eglise Ste Perpétue

The Eglise Ste Perpétue is a Romanesque former chapel of the Abbaye de La Celle and is listed as a historic monument. The church houses a carved Catalan wooden crucifix from the 14th century. Its former function, Romanesque character and specific work of art give this place its own art-historical focus alongside the abbey. If you are particularly interested in religious buildings and historic objects, these details are a clear guide to choosing your themes.

River, valley and nature park

The Caramy flows through La Celle. The village is also located in a valley dominated by the Massif de la Loube and within the Parc naturel régional de la Sainte Baume. These references describe different scales: the river in the village, the village’s position in the valley and its inclusion in the nature park. They help you understand La Celle not only through its historic buildings, but also through its landscape. The description of the valley in relation to the Massif de la Loube is a different point of reference from the course of the Caramy through the village.

The Chemin d’Engardin

The Chemin d’Engardin starts at the cemetery car park in La Celle and ends in La Celle. It passes through garrigue, the Mediterranean scrubland, below the Candelon and offers views of the surrounding plains and mountains. Alongside the buildings, this provides a specific route with its own landscape focus. Seasonal access restrictions may apply, and parking arrangements can also change. Therefore, check the latest information on access and parking before setting out.

Wine and visitor information

In La Celle, the Maison des Coteaux Varois en Provence offers wine tastings and wine sales. This wine-related aspect complements the cultural-historical and landscape themes with a focus of its own. If wine is a factor in choosing your travel destination, it is a specific addition to the historic sites and the Chemin d’Engardin.

The Abbaye de La Celle offers a visitor booklet with maps and historical information. The maps help with orientation, while the historical information provides further context for the site. If you plan to use the booklet during your visit, check the current visitor information in advance, as operational details may change.

Discover more destinations: Pierrefeu-Du-Var, Ampus, La Cadière-D'azur, La Motte, Sanary-Sur-Mer, Le Flayosquet, Gonfaron, Cuers.

For the broader travel overview: Var.