Saint-Paul-en-Forêt

Saint-Paul-en-Forêt combines easy hikes with opportunities to explore the landscape and local history. To help you plan, choose between two routes of different lengths, Lac du Rioutard with its botanical trail, streets and lanes to explore on foot, and a range of historical themes. You can tailor your stay to your preferred focus: exercise, observing nature or taking a closer look at the local heritage.

Hiking and trails

The two easy routes differ in length and duration. The Promenade: Le Lac du Rioutard starts in Saint-Paul-en-Forêt, is 2.8 kilometres long and takes about an hour and 30 minutes. The easy Circuit patrimoine de Saint-Paul-en-Forêt starts at Place de la Mairie; it covers 1.5 kilometres and takes about an hour. This means the routes differ by 1.3 kilometres and roughly half an hour. The Circuit is the shorter option, while the Promenade is the longer one. The approximate times and distances give you a concrete basis for comparing the routes as you plan your outing.

Landscape around Lac du Rioutard

The Forêt Royale is a wooded area with downy oaks, cork oaks and hornbeams. The Endre River runs through the massif, making the forest and river two distinct features of this landscape. At Lac du Rioutard, a botanical trail offers a different focus: around 30 signs feature Mediterranean plant species. The reservoir covers an area of 5.8 hectares. If you are interested in fishing, you can fish for tench, carp or perch in the lake; local fishing regulations may apply. Learning about plants on the trail and fishing are two different ways to engage with the area around the lake.

Village centre and heritage

The authentic streets and lanes in the village centre can be explored on foot. One historic building is the Eglise de Saint Paul en Forêt, built in the early years of the 18th century. Inside is a statue of Saint Paul. The church’s construction date and a specific detail of its interior offer two distinct points of interest when exploring the local heritage.

The story of Dame-Jeanne, passed down as a legend, tells of a bottle with a capacity of around ten litres that was covered in wickerwork for protection. The bottle’s size and its wicker covering are two vivid details of the tale. Another viewpoint lies on a hill outside the village centre: from there, you can enjoy a panorama of Pincounillier and the Chapelle Saint-Joseph, dedicated to Saint Joseph. The hilltop view is therefore geographically separate from a walk through the village centre’s lanes.

An outing further afield

Further afield in the region, a hiking route leads from Saint-Paul-en-Forêt to Lac de Méaulx. The lake is part of the wider Pays de Fayence, covers 11 hectares and lies in a lush, heavily wooded setting. Its area can be compared with the 5.8 hectares of Lac du Rioutard. The features highlighted at the two lakes also differ: at Lac de Méaulx, the hike from Saint-Paul-en-Forêt and the wooded surroundings take centre stage; at Lac du Rioutard, you’ll find the botanical trail and the opportunity to fish.

For the full travel overview: Var.