Le Rocher de Roquebrune: the rock and new experiences in nature…
You can see and admire it from far away... it overlooks the thousand-year-old village, the lake and the Argens river.
The village of Roquebrune-sur -Argens is inseparable from its legendary Rock, which is also a listed site of outstanding importance.
The imposing, isolated rocky outcrop rises majestically up from the plain of Argens and extends over 6km2 between the villages of Roquebrune sur Argens and Le Muy.
This spectacular, reddish brown-coloured rocky mass emerges from the vegetation and culminates in a winding, saw-toothed, 373-high ridge.
Its richness in biological terms and its impact on the landscape have led the Rock to be included as one of the NATURA 2000 classified sites.
After being completely surrounded by unspoiled natural surroundings, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views in the region from its summit. The spectacular 360° view takes in the Fréjus and Saint Raphaël basin with the Estérel in the background to the Maures massif and the snowy summits of the Southern Alps in winter.
And if you were to set off to climb this fascinating rock from spring onwards, several hiking trails will open for equipped sportsmen and women.
There are incredible viewing points from any of these routes when you arrive at the famous site of Troix Croix. You’ll spend around 1 hour of climbing and walking in the heart of the Provençal forest.
>> The Three Crosses
This site is also known as ‘The Rock of the Three Crosses’ and has always been a place of great religious value over the centuries.
The presence of three crosses on the Rock’s summit seems to have been documented since the dawn of time. The legend goes that during the crucifixion of Christ, three cracks opened up in the rock which symbolise the three wounds or the three crosses on Calvary. Three crosses were later erected on top of the rock and were the focus of pilgrimages.
An 18th century ex-voto at the Heritage Centre illustrating the invasion by Duke Amedé de Savoie’s soldiers in 1707 and an 18th century painting at the parish church depicting Saint-Aygulf in front of the Rock both show the presence of these three symbolic crosses which deteriorated over time due to the weather.
At the start of the 1990s, the sculptor Bernar Venet was asked to make the three monumental steel crosses which currently stand on the Rock. The contemporary artist was inspired by three famous paintings of the crucifixion. These masterpieces were by Giotto (14th century, the Scoregni de Padoue chapel), Grünewald (15th century, the Interlinden de Colmar museum) and El Greco (16th century, the Prado museum in Madrid).
The work, which now looks out over the plain of Argens, was inaugurated on 11 July 1991.
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The Pays de Fayence (Fayence district) has many great provencal villages. All of them have a particularity such as the view from Mons or the artistic streets of Tourrettes. Do no forget to stop in Seillans that has the label of "Most beautiful village in France"
North of the A8 motorway, you will find the Pays de Fayence. Saint-Cassien lake, a real oasis of freshness in the Var, awaits you! Take a break at the Lake House before visiting the villages of Bagnols-en-Forêt, St-Paul-en-Forêt or Tanneron.
The city of Roquebrune-sur-Argens is the most westerly of the destination. It includes three districts: La Bouverie, at the foot of Gorges du Blavet; The village, overlooked by its magnificent rock, and Les Issambres, with its nautical activities by the sea.
Les Adrets de l'Estérel is a small town located at the extreme southeastern Var. Bordering the Maritimes Alpes, it is composed of large green forests. The town overlooks the bay of Cannes and has an exceptional view on the Lérins Islands and the Corniche de l'Estérel.
Puget sur Argens is a small village located in the middle of many wineries. Its commercial area, near the village, includes many shopping center. North of the village, the Bois du Defens give rise to several walks.
Welcome to Les Issambres, the district of Roquebrune-sur-Argens located on the coast. True paradise with its 8 km of beaches and creeks, this family seaside resort, already frequented at the time by the Romans, is located between the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and Fréjus-Saint Raphaël.
Frejus, located halfway between Cannes and Saint-Tropez, is at the heart of the Côte d'Azur. Based on a sandstone buttress of the Esterel massif, the town dominates the valleys of Argens and Reyran. Frejus has the appearance of a small Provencal town whose new districts extend to the sea.
65km from Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport, Saint-Raphaël is located between Cannes and Saint-Tropez. This seaside resort on the Mediterranean coast is at the bottom of the great Esterel mountains. Saint Raphael, whose city center is by the sea, is divided into different neighborhoods that have all their characteristics and their personalities.
