Discover La Valette-Du-Var

La Valette-Du-Var combines gardens and historic sites with walking trails in the surrounding countryside. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, you can start by considering whether you’d like to focus on plants, local history or trails through the landscape. These different themes offer starting points for planning varied days out.

Gardens and plant diversity

At the Jardin de Baudouvin, you’ll find citrus plantings, vegetable gardens, collections of medicinal and aromatic plants, as well as an orchard and a vineyard. The gardens bring together a range of plant groups, from kitchen gardens to plants collected for their medicinal or aromatic properties. Admission is free. Since access arrangements may change, it’s best to check the latest visitor information in advance.

The Jardin de Baudouvin also takes part in “Rendez-vous aux jardins” and the “European Heritage Days.” These events highlight different aspects of garden culture and heritage. Taking part in them adds another dimension to the gardens, connecting them with cultural programs.

The garden at Domaine d’Orvès offers a distinctive botanical focus of its own: it combines native plants with species from other parts of the world and has held the French Ministry of Culture’s “Jardin remarquable” label since 2006. Guided tours of the garden are available year-round, except in August, by prior arrangement. If you’d like to include a guided tour in your plans, book in advance and take the August exception into account.

Old town, landmarks and fountains

The old town of La Valette-Du-Var is characterized by picturesque lanes and colorful houses that bear witness to the town’s rich history. One landmark with a special heritage designation is the Église Saint-Jean à la Porte latine: it is partially listed as a “Monument historique.” The listing applies to the Porte latine and the apse, not to the entire church.

Several fountains offer further glimpses into the town’s history. The present-day Fontaine de La Révolution was built in 1859 and dedicated to the French Revolution in 1889. The Fontaine de La Convention was rebuilt using stones from Tourris and gained a washhouse in 1858. The Fontaine Le Samson dates from the 17th century. Each fountain highlights a different historical milestone: their construction, reconstruction and dedication each tell a different story.

The Fontaine Jeanne is also associated with a local tradition: according to local accounts, it was dug in 1345 at the order of Queen Jeanne, Queen of Naples and Countess of Provence, during her brief stay in La Valette. Another historic landmark, the five-century-old Pont Sainte-Cécile, carries water from the former course of Le Valat Vieux beneath its arch. The fountains, church and bridge thus offer different ways to explore the town’s history, with their stories stemming from different periods and occasions.

Walking trails and destinations in the surrounding countryside

The trails described here lead to different destinations. The Vallon de la Sorbière offers a walk along the water in the surrounding countryside. The Chemin des crêtes leads to the summit of Bigoye Hill.

Le Sentier au Fil de l’Eau runs from the town center to the higher parts of Baudouvin, with seven possible stops along the way. Hiking trails from La Valette-Du-Var towards Coudon offer views of Toulon Bay. This gives you several different settings to consider when planning: a route between the town center and higher ground, a destination on Bigoye Hill, and views over Toulon Bay.

Plan around the market and your stay

Every Monday morning, a market brings the town center of La Valette-Du-Var to life. If you’d like to include this regular event in your plans, schedule your visit for the morning. Along with the gardens, historic sites and trails in the surrounding countryside, the market offers another reason to shape your stay around your personal interests.

Discover more destinations: Gonfaron, Auribeau-Sur-Siagne, La Celle, Bagnols-En-Forêt, Correns, Pignans, Pourrières, Roquebrune-Sur-Argens.

Return to the regional travel guide: Var.