Stay at our Miremer campsite and visit La Garde-Freinet! This discreet Provencal village in the heart of the Maures mountains is the starting point for unforgettable walks. Jeanne Moreau took refuge here and filmed “Lumière”. That’s saying a lot. You’ll discover a place where time seems to stand still, the perfect escape for a family vacation in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
La Garde Freinet, a 100% Provencal village
As you leave our campsite in La Garde-Freinet, you’ll be charmed by the village, with its stone houses and red tiles stretching from the valley to the hills. Strolling through its ivy-lined streets, you’ll discover treasures such as a church, chapel, washhouse and spring-fed fountain. The village seems frozen in time, with its peaceful days spent on the terraces of cafés-restaurants, waiting for the time to play pétanque.
The Provencal market enlivens the pedestrian street on Sundays and Wednesdays, with local produce such as fresh vegetables, walnut bread and handmade chestnut cream. In October, the Fêtes de la Châtaigne (chestnut festival) attracts gourmets who come to enjoy marrons glacés, hot chestnuts and chestnut nugget ice creams. A real treat for the taste buds! For children, it’s an adventure to discover these local traditions, and for parents, an opportunity to taste the authenticity of France.
A little history of La Garde Freinet
In the 10th century, three settlements existed on the present-day territory of La Garde-Freinet: on the hill of Miremer (then Miramar), around the Saint-Clément chapel and near the hamlet of La Mourre. At the end of the 12th century, for security reasons, the inhabitants moved to the Fort Freinet hill. This majestic site features houses and a wide moat cut into the rock.
Historical mistake: for a long time, it was thought to be a hideout for the Saracens who came to Provence in the 10th century. From the end of the 13th century, the inhabitants gradually settled on the communication route between the Maures plain and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, where today’s village of La Garde is located.
A heritage to discover
Apart from the festive periods and the Bravade in April, the village hides an intense cultural activity. Discover superb art galleries, attend intimate concerts and admire the ancestral skills of local craftsmen. The village’s rich heritage is well worth a visit.
At the Chapelle Saint-Jean or the Conservatoire du Patrimoine, we hear about Fort Freinet, one of the village’s first sites, perched on its rocky dome in the Middle Ages. We also discover the chapels of Saint-Clément and Miremer, the Adrech mill, and the history of cork, basketry, beekeeping and even silkworms. A place where it’s good to live and enjoy all these wonders. A stay in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur becomes a real history lesson for the whole family.
Good deals not to be missed under any circumstances
When staying at our Miremer campsite in La Garde-Freinet, the ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding area, give priority to the sites listed above. In addition to these little gems, don’t miss :
- Rue du Moulin, with its 18th-century houses, and Rue des Caves, with its stone facades.
- The Place Neuve hosts a lively Provencal market on Sundays and Wednesdays.
- The market square, with its kiosk dating from 1872, is perfect for a stroll.
- The old fish market, a reminder of the importance of fishing in the past.
- Ancient fountains and washhouses, such as the Fountain of the Four Seasons, add to the village’s charm.
- Art galleries, such as Galerie de la Fontaine, exhibit works by local artists.
- Hiking and mountain biking trails, such as the sentier des Crêtes, allow you to explore the diverse landscapes of the Maures massif. Mountain bike trails, signposted and suitable for all levels, offer a variety of routes through forests and hills.
La Garde-Freinet: the green resort
From our campsite, there are numerous walks, mountain bike rides and horseback rides, accompanied or unaccompanied, for total immersion in the Maures massif. You can best appreciate the extent of this ocean of vegetation by reaching the orientation table overlooking the village, near the monumental cross. From the Maures plain to Notre-Dame de Miremer, from Plan de la Tour to Collobrières, nature is splendid, adorned in all its shades of green.
Driving along the Route des Crêtes, one of the most beautiful in the Var, you’ll discover an exceptional view. But the Roches Blanches stand out in particular. This vein of sparkling quartz emerges from the schist and offers a touch of white that’s unique in the area. Welcome to the Massif des Maures, kingdom of infinite panoramas. These walks are perfect for family vacations, where children can explore nature and parents enjoy the beauty of the landscape.
