Les Bormettes: History Between the Port and Vineyards

Les Bormettes can be considered the historic heart of La Londe-les-Maures. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip here, the area’s history provides a concrete framework for planning: the neighborhood brings together themes of agriculture and industry, along with paths, memorial sites and the port. Visiting arrangements vary by location, particularly at Château des Bormettes and for the tours on offer.

Historical Layers in the Neighborhood

Human settlement in Les Bormettes has been documented since antiquity and may date back to the Iron Age. Château des Bormettes was built between 1588 and 1642 by the Carthusians of La Verne as an agricultural country estate. It is considered the area’s first known wine estate. The château’s history therefore encompasses both agricultural use and its connection to the Carthusians.

A later period was shaped by industry. The Schneider arms factory in Les Bormettes was established in 1912 to manufacture torpedoes. A workers’ housing estate in the style of a corons was built for its employees between 1913 and 1920. It is considered a rare example of a corons in the Mediterranean region and is still inhabited. The factory itself is private and not open to the public.

The château is visible from public roads. However, it can only be visited as part of scheduled tours or by groups upon prior request to Domaine du Château des Bormettes. Check the current access arrangements before your visit.

The Promenade and Vineyard Trails

The Promenade des Annamites follows a former industrial railway line that is now used as a walking trail. The route is 5.50 kilometers long, marked in blue, and open daily throughout the year at no charge. From the promenade, the site of Hôpital des Bormettes can be seen on the side of the Les Bormettes neighborhood.

In 2026, a vineyard walk at Château des Bormettes follows signposted circular routes of 2 to 5 kilometers through the vineyards, with views of the sea. The promenade is 5.50 kilometers long, while the circular vineyard routes are between 2 and 5 kilometers. The stated distances therefore differ when choosing a route for your plans. The vineyard walk’s opening arrangements may change; check them before your visit.

Guided Tours and Memorial Sites

The guided tour “Malaquais et les Javanais aux Bormettes” explores the daily lives of miners and Schneider factory workers. Literary readings and archival images are part of the tour. The Baludik experience “Escapade temporelle aux Bormettes” takes visitors through the historic neighborhood and introduces its heritage and important figures from local history. These are two distinct ways to explore the area: a guided tour with readings and archival images, and an experience through the neighborhood. Booking arrangements and digital availability may change; check dates and availability in advance.

The Stèle des Bormettes is a memorial site on the municipal Chemin de la Mémoire. It commemorates four children from the neighborhood who died for France during the Second World War. For the 2026 calendar year, the memorial is open daily and free to visit.

Port Maravenne

Port Maravenne, also known as Bassin des Bormettes, is a public port with moorings exclusively for motorized pleasure boats. There are two boat slipways: one above and one below the port. The port is therefore a distinct point of interest alongside the neighborhood’s historic sites and trails.

Discover more destinations: Sainte-Maxime, Trigance, Bargemon, Roquebrune-Sur-Argens, Le Val, Taradeau, Bauduen, Cotignac.

For the broader travel overview: Var.