Les-Arcs-sur-Argens

Visit Les-Arcs-sur-Argens, Provence

Les-Arcs-sur-Argens is found in the Cotes de Provence wine region of Provence, a little to the west of the riviera resorts of Frejus and Saint-Raphael. In a site that has been inhabited for 2500 years, the town is now best known for its role as a wine producing town but everyone will enjoy a visit, wine-enthusiast or otherwise.

Note: the village is often referred to as Les-Arcs - which can cause confusion with the French 'Les-Arcs' ski region - see Les-Arcs if you want to ski instead of exploring a historical village!

Exploring Les Arcs-sur-Argens

It is the historical old town of Les Arcs that you will want to visit, standing on the hill above the newer part of the town. The old town at Les Arcs is known as the Parage, and is a small region of ancient and pretty streets encircled by medieval fortifications to explore and enjoy.

One particular sites of note as you wander the medieval streets is the 19 metre tall castle keep, the most important part of the ruins of the castle that once stood here. Others include the clocktower built in the 17th century and featuring one of the most ornate campaniles I remember seeing, and the 12th century roman style Chapel of Saint-Pierre (exhibitions are now often held in the chapel during the summer months).

Nearby

The other important attraction nearby is the Chapel of Sainte-Roseline, on the edge of Les-Arcs-sur-Argens. With its origins in the 11th century the chapel was part of an Abbey complex called the Monastery of la Celle-Roubaud - converted in the 18th century and now known as the Chateau Sainte-Roseline (a wine producing chateau). The abbey-castle is now in private ownership and not open to the public, but the chapel can be visited.

The chapel contains a shrine to Sainte Roseline, and some relics of the saint, and a baroque style altarpiece. Perhaps more surprisingly the 16th century decorations of the church have now been added to, and include a mosaic by Marc Chagall (the celebrated russian artist who lived in the area) and some Giacometti statues - an idea instigated by Marguerite Maeght, of the family who created the Fondation Maeght art gallery at Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

Suggested places to visit near Les-Arcs-sur-Argens, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Thoronet Abbey 17km; Bagnols-en-Foret 20km; Entrecasteaux 20km; Tourtour 20km; Grimaud 21km; Frejus 21km; Sainte-Maxime 22km; Salernes 22km; Port Grimaud 23km; Seillans 23km; Saint-Raphael 24km; Saint-Tropez 25km; Fayence 25km; Tourrettes 25km; Gassin 27km; Aups 27km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Les-Arcs-sur-Argens

Les-Arcs-sur-Argens tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Abbaye du Thoronet (Le Thoronet) - religious monument (14km) : Cathédrale Saint Léonce (Frejus) - religious monument (21km) : Eglise de St Raphaël (Saint-Raphael) - religious monument (24km) : Jardin Germaine l’Hardy-Denonain - remarkable garden (27km) : Grottes de Saint-Cezaire - site of natural beauty (34km) : Domaine du Rayol - remarkable garden (34km) : Parc du château de la Napoule - remarkable garden (38km) : Verdon - regional natural parc (41km) :

French version: see Les-Arcs-sur-Argens (Francais)