Discover Mazaugues: Gorges, Ice History and Heritage

Mazaugues is located in the Sainte-Baume Regional Natural Park. When planning your trip, the town combines striking landscapes with themes from its history: the Caramy has carved out the Gorges du Caramy, while museums, rock shelters and historic sites offer further insights. You can plan your time around both nature and heritage.

Gorges, river and trails around Mazaugues

The Gorges du Caramy stretch for about 4.5 kilometres between Tourves and Mazaugues. A hiking route follows the Caramy from its source near Mazaugues through the gorges to the Roman bridge at Tourves. Along the way, it also passes through the Saut du Cabri Canyon. The river and gorges are therefore part of a route whose described stops start in Mazaugues and continue as far as Tourves.

You can go for walks, swim, fish and picnic in the Gorges du Caramy. As seasonal access conditions may change, check the conditions for your planned activity before visiting. The gorges can be enjoyed not only as a hiking landscape: spending time by the water or having a picnic are also options.

Ice history and natural surroundings

The Musée de la Glace in Mazaugues explores how people have harvested, traded and used ice over time and in different countries. The subject therefore reaches beyond the local landscape and offers a look at different ways of harvesting ice and how it was used.

The Glacière de Pivaut is listed as a historic monument and has been restored. From the D95, you can reach it via a car park and an educational trail with several explanatory signs. It is located in a protected natural area where notable insect and plant species can be observed. The history of ice and the surrounding nature offer different ways to experience the site.

Rock shelter, chapel and local history

The Baume Saint-Michel is a rock shelter that has been used since the early Neolithic period. Later, it served as a decorated shelter and a place where local flint was worked. A small rock chapel dedicated to Saint Michael was also established at the Baume. Information and reservations for visits are available at 04.94.86.39.24; the visit lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. As visitor information may change, it is best to call ahead.

The medieval castle is also one of the main points on Mazaugues’ historic walking tour. Another part of the town’s history is bauxite mining, which was definitively discontinued in the late 1980s. The castle and mining represent different historical themes: the former is part of a tour through the town’s history, while the latter is a form of mining that has since ended.

Getting around and walking trails

The Espace Sports Orientation des collines de Mazaugues offers four themed orienteering courses. The facilities include a guide booklet and an orienteering map, as well as information boards, posts and question boxes. They are designed for both families and competitive athletes. The four courses offer a different way to explore the surroundings than the hiking route along the Caramy.

The Cirque des Escarettes is a limestone cirque above Mazaugues and the Vallon de l’Herbette. It can only be reached on foot via the GR99; the distance from the Caucadis car park is 5 kilometres. Take this walking distance into account when planning your visit. This route has a different starting point and approach from the trail through the Gorges du Caramy, which runs from the source near Mazaugues to the Roman bridge at Tourves.

Discover more destinations: Les Adrets-De-L'estérel, Châteauvert, Montmeyan, Draguignan, Saint-Zacharie, La Roquebrussanne, Vidauban, Six-Fours-Les-Plages.

For the broader travel overview: Var.