Collobrières: Visit The Chestnut Capital In The Var
The commune of Collobrières in the Var is nestled amidst vineyards and chestnut trees. It is also known as the local capital of the chestnut. However, candied or roasted chestnuts are not the only tourist attraction in this Provençal village. We have listed for you 5 things to do in this charming village.
1- Strolling through this picturesque village
The commune of Collobrières in the Var is a Provençal village nestled in a natural setting, away from large cities.
In this preserved corner of the Massif des Maures, the chestnut tree reigns supreme and numerous hiking trails invite you to take a stroll.
With its cobbled streets, fountains, and shaded squares, the heart of the village is also worth exploring. Its intact authenticity and Provençal charm have earned it the Villages and Towns of Character label.
2- Visit the arboretum
Another walk not to be missed in the commune of Collobrières is the visit to the Georges Martel Arboretum.
This arboretum owes its name to its creator, an agronomist engineer passionate about botany. He acquired this 2000 m² plot by the river and planted seeds brought back from his numerous travels.
Today, this freely accessible site allows visitors to stroll under the canopies of trees originating from other continents, such as the pecan tree, the large sycamore maple, the Atlas cedar, or the tulip tree of Virginia.
3- Take a gourmet break at the Confiserie Azuréenne
If these different walks have whetted your appetite, take the time to stop at la Confiserie Azuréenne. A true local institution for over half a century, this confectionery highlights Collobrières' star product: the chestnut!
On site, you can visit the Glazed Chestnut Museum for free and admire a collection of tools and old machines that were once used to transform the chestnut fruit into a delicacy.
Take the opportunity to taste the various house specialties based on chestnuts such as the essential glazed chestnut but also chestnut ice cream.
4- Participate in the Chestnut Festival
Each year, the village of Collobrières in the Var celebrates its most emblematic product during the Chestnut Festival. The festivities take place over three Sundays in October.
Some 20,000 visitors come each autumn to enjoy roasted chestnuts that have been gathered from the surrounding areas. The chestnut groves in the Var are concentrated in the Maures massif and form a forest of chestnut trees without fences. They cover nearly 2,000 hectares, spread across the communes of La Garde-Freinet, Les Mayons, Gonfaron, and Pignans.
During the Chestnut Festival, other producers, artists, and craftsmen come to offer their products. But be aware: at this local produce market, credit cards are not accepted. Payments are made exclusively in cash.
5- Visit the Charterhouse of La Verne
After visiting Collobrières, the chestnut capital, be sure to discover another jewel of the Maures massif: the Charterhouse of La Verne.
This site, classified as a historical monument, is a magnificent monastery dating back to 1170. You will undoubtedly be impressed by its monumental serpentine stone gate, a volcanic marble typical of the Maures massif.
To better appreciate this gem of local heritage, I recommend downloading the free Archistoire app (see the link below). You can then let yourself be guided through a tour entitled On the Path of Stones from Collobrières to the Monastery of La Verne.
