La Mole: Culture, History and Trails

La Mole is an interesting destination to consider when planning a trip focused on local history and specific routes. Featured sites include the Eglise Sainte Magdeleine with its sundial, the former Castrum de Sainte Magdeleine, the château estate towards Cogolin, as well as routes along the Sentier de La Sainte Magdeleine and at the Barrage de La Verne. The Base nature on the Verne and the Fête de la Sainte Magdeleine festival also add to the options. This makes it possible to choose between a cultural focus and a stay that includes routes or recreational activities.

Church and festival in Sainte Magdeleine

The small Eglise Sainte Magdeleine dates from 1872 and has a colourful façade. Above the entrance is a sundial bearing the motto “Souviens-toi de vivre”. The year it was built, the colour of its façade and the inscription each provide a different detail: the date places the church in the 19th century, while the French phrase states a distinctive motto. For travellers interested in historic townscapes, the building’s date and design come together in this named landmark.

The three-day Fête de la Sainte Magdeleine festival has been held for more than 20 years. It includes a Sunday mass, a procession and the danse de la Souche, with musicians and dancers in traditional Provençal dress. The celebration combines religious events with dance and music. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, note that the exact dates and programme may vary.

Château estate and medieval village

A château estate lies 1 km from La Môle towards Cogolin. It is privately owned and visible from the road. It is mentioned as early as 1008. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry spent holidays there as a child with his grandparents.

The Castrum de Sainte Magdeleine is the former medieval village of La Mole. It was built in the 14th century from local basalt, a volcanic rock. The two historical references should be distinguished: 1008 is the year in which the château estate is already mentioned; the 14th century is when the Castrum was built. The former village thus brings together its historical role and local building material.

Trails to the chapel and at the Barrage de La Verne

The Sentier de La Sainte Magdeleine starts at the church, follows the Route des Guiols and then the Chemin Sainte Magdeleine. A 500 m path then runs through oak trees to the chapel. The starting point is 2.5 km along the Route des Guiols from the church; this is followed by sections of 150 m and 500 m. To return to the town centre, take the Piste du Laïré. The path through the oak trees is a named section of the route to the chapel, while the return route follows a different course.

Access at the Barrage de La Verne is different: after parking near the water treatment plant, you walk along a 2.5 km dirt track. The routes along the Barrage are also used for walks. The two distances of 2.5 km refer to different sections: for the Sentier, the starting point is this distance from the church along the Route des Guiols; at the Barrage, it refers to the dirt track to be walked after parking. Conditions on the Sentier may vary, and the surface and access at the Barrage may change. Check conditions before setting out.

Base nature on the Verne

The Base nature on the Verne offers a fitness trail with various exercise machines, a roller-skating and skateboarding track, a children’s playground and a picnic area. The facilities mentioned range from exercise equipment and wheeled activities to play and picnic areas. For planning your day, the Base nature can be treated as a separate point of interest from the routes described: here the focus is on facilities and areas for different activities, while the Sentier and access to the Barrage involve specific routes and distances.

Discover more destinations: La Garde, La Celle, Toulon, Regusse, La Garde-Freinet, Ollioules, Montmeyan, La Roque-Esclapon

For the broader travel overview: Var.