Collobrières
Discover Collobrières…
Nestled in the heart of the forested hilly chain of the Maures, Collobrières is the starting point for many walking itineraries. "Capital of the sweet chestnut ", Collobrières boats 2,220 acres of chestnut trees for a yearly production of hundreds of tons of chestnuts.
This peaceful & genuine village, one out of many in Var Provence, offers a rich local heritage & an authentic character supported by an impressive natural scenery.
Upon arrival in the village, visit a chestnut grove escorted by the local owner. Proceed then to the Azuréenne Confectionery, a factory which revives for half a century the ancestral chestnut harvest & process. It is the largest manufacturing plant of that kind in the region.
The museum displays period tools and machinery related to the chestnut process. You will learn that monks were among the first to introduce chestnut production in this forestry lands spared by the coastal invasions.
A world of flavours and faith …
Chestnut is celebrated each year during the harvest, the last three weekends of October...One may then give a try to chestnut products just like visitors do while on their visit at the confectionery : creamy paste, jams, candied chestnuts etc… A basket demonstration will resume the visit at the venue before you head to the Chartreuse de la Verne (Carthusian Monastery) via a twisting road. Visit the monastery. The 12th century Romanesque church is still standing while the other convent buildings were re-built and a defensive wall supported the living units.
What to do:
A lifestyle tour
- Escorted tour of a chestnut grove
- Tour of the “Confiserie Azuréenne” & chestnut museum with chestnut tasting
- A basket demo
- Visit of the Carthusian Monastery of La Verne (please note maximum bus length to access the monastery is 8m long)
This tour is best run during the harvest period due to the chestnut grove visit, while it can be proposed off the chestnut season.
For more: You will love the history of authentic & rural Collobrières which owes its name to the large number of grass snakes that were once found by its river.
You’ll love:
- Trying new flavours: candied chestnut or chestnut cream
- Meeting the chestnut producer
- The panoramic drive in a forestry decor, the sight of long- life standing stones in the rural countryside
- The possibility to pay a visit to a clay figures’ workshop
- An authentic way of life still relying on centuries old activities (chestnut and oak cork production)
Duration: about 4h
