Things to do in Collobrières: must-see attractions 2026

Collobrières, the chestnut capital of the Var hidden in the Maures

The name comes from snakes. Dozens of them once lived along the banks of the réal Collobrier, the river that still winds through the village today. That detail tells you everything about the place. You are deep in the Var here, in a forested landscape miles away from the beach crowds of the coast.

Just a few dozen miles from Saint-Tropez, the Maures massif feels like it belongs to a different century. Expect cork oaks, chestnut trees, and the scent of pine resin and damp forest floor. Welcome to the French capital of marron glacé (candied chestnuts).

Built for those avoiding the Var coastline crowds

This village has no beaches, no nightlife, and no contemporary art museums. What it does offer is a preserved backcountry, some of the finest hiking trails in the Var, and a genuine culinary identity. It is the perfect destination to decompress after a few days on the French Riviera, or for an autumn weekend deep in nature.

A reasonable budget, well below coastal Var prices

Isolated but reachable: the reality of the Var backcountry

A car is almost mandatory. The village is about 40 km (25 miles) north of Toulon and 25 km (15 miles) from Hyères, connected by winding roads through the forest. The D39 from Pierrefeu-du-Var and the D14 from Grimaud are the two main access routes, both very scenic and quite narrow. Make sure you have enough gas or electric charge, as the village's only ATM can run out of cash on busy weekends.

Major warning between June and September: access to the Var's forests is subject to daily restrictions to prevent wildfires. The access map is updated every evening for the following day. Before any hike or a visit to the Chartreuse de la Verne, check the Var prefecture website or call the local tourist office.

The medieval village and the river: an hour of wandering well spent

The heart of the village is worth exploring. The alleys feature calade, that distinct Provençal pebble paving, snaking between old houses with colorful shutters. The place de la Mairie, shaded and cooled by an old fountain, is the natural center of town.

The 12th-century humpback bridge crosses the réal Collobrier, where ducks paddle along the water. Higher up in the village, the ruins of the église Saint Pons dating from 1080 overlook the rooftops. On the heights, the arboretum created by a passionate agricultural engineer shelters trees brought back from his travels along the riverbank, including pecan, Atlas cedar, and tulip trees. Admission is free.

Friendly tip: The original bell of the Chartreux monastery, dating from the 12th century, is displayed in the lobby of the Collobrières town hall. It is a rare piece often overlooked, accessible during opening hours.

Chartreuse de la Verne: 12 km of forest to reach silence

This is the main monument in the area. Founded around 1174, destroyed and rebuilt several times, the Chartreuse de la Verne has been classified as a historical monument since 1921. Its current buildings date from the 17th and 18th centuries, built using serpentine des Maures, a green volcanic stone extracted from local quarries. A community of nuns still lives there today.

It is open all year round, except in January and on public holidays. Hours vary by season. The road leading there from Collobrières is beautiful and intense, covering 12 km of forest switchbacks where cars cannot pass each other in some sections.

Good to know:

• Panoramic view from the monastery over the Bay of Saint-Tropez to the east and the Prealps to the north
• Several marked trails start directly from the parking lot, including the loop to the retenue de la Verne
• Access is impossible for buses or coaches larger than 8 meters, which keeps crowds low

Chestnut groves and the Chestnut Festival: autumn as the prime season

The 2,000 hectares of chestnut groves in the Massif des Maures are largely concentrated around the village. Chestnut cultivation here dates back to the 13th century, initiated by the Chartreux of the Verne themselves. Today, nearly 400 Var chestnut farmers still work this resource.

Every autumn, on the last three Sundays of October, the Fêtes de la Châtaigne bring together about 20,000 visitors to taste the fruit in every form: grilled on embers, as marron glacé, in cream, as flour, or in beer. Entry is free, but parking is organized outside the village with shuttles. Book well in advance if you want to stay overnight that weekend.

Friendly tip: Three marked trails start from the village itself. The shortest, the 2 km botanical trail, runs along the communal chestnut grove. For a more ambitious walk, the 6 km discovery trail offers views of the entire forest and the sea from the heights. Depart from the stadium parking lot at the east entrance of the village.

Where to eat and drink in Collobrières?

The Confiserie Azuréenne, established in the village since 1945, is much more than a souvenir shop. Their 100% natural candied chestnuts are made on-site, and the chestnut ice cream, or even the rum-flavored version, is worth a stop on its own. The adjacent chestnut museum is free and open daily.

For lunch or dinner, the Hôtel-Restaurant des Maures, which overlooks the river, offers solid Mediterranean cuisine: cod loin à la provençale, seasonal specialties, and inevitably a chestnut-based dessert. The retro decor makes you feel like you stepped back a few decades, which is far from unpleasant.

Where to stay in and around Collobrières?

In the village, the 3-star Hôtel Notre Dame is the main address with its outdoor pool, which is highly appreciated in summer. Rates start from 85 € (about $93) per night, which is reasonable for the region. Guesthouses and rural gîtes are numerous in the surroundings, especially towards Bormes-les-Mimosas and La Londe-les-Maures, about twenty minutes away.

For adventurers, a stopover gîte exists near the Chartreuse de la Verne to spend the night in the heart of the massif. The closest campsites are on the coast in Bormes or La Londe. Outside of the Chestnut Festival weekends, finding last-minute accommodation is usually possible.

How to get to Collobrières?

From Toulon: 40 km (25 miles), about 50 minutes via the D554 and then the D39. From Nice: about 1.5 hours by car via the A57. From Marseille: about 1.5 hours via the A57 and Toulon. The Toulon-Hyères airport is the closest, at 35 km (22 miles).

Public transport is significantly more complicated. The Toulon train station is 40 km away, and while bus connections exist, they are infrequent. Seasonal shuttles operate from some seaside resorts. For tourists coming from afar, renting a car from Toulon or Hyères remains the most practical solution.

How to get around Collobrières?

You can visit the entire village on foot in less than an hour. For nearby hiking trails, departures are directly from the stadium parking lot or the heights of the old village, with no vehicle necessary.

For the Chartreuse de la Verne and other sites in the massif, a car is essential. There is no local taxi service or rideshare app in this rural sector. Plan your trips with full autonomy.

When to go?

Autumn is the preferred season: forest colors, chestnut harvest, mild temperatures, and the Chestnut Festivals in October. Spring, from March to May, is ideal for hiking before the summer restrictions. Avoid July and August for trails and the Chartreuse: forest access is conditioned by the daily fire risk level and can be closed without notice.