« BENVENGUDO AU PLAN DE LA TOURRE »
From the Gulf, a narrow road winds through the cork oaks and crosses small passes before descending towards the plain where the village is rooted in the middle of the vineyards. This typically Provencal commune is lively and forward-looking, while respecting the riches of its land. Located in the heart of the Maures, near the sea, it strives to preserve an exceptional living environment.
At first glance, the village may seem modest, but it is pleasant to stroll through its streets and discover charming features such as the church bell tower, fountains, presbytery and traditional wells. On Place Foch, shaded by plane trees, a Provençal market comes alive on Thursdays and shops are open every day, including Sundays. To soak up the local atmosphere, sit on the Quatre Chemins bench.
25 HAMLETS, NOT ONE LESS!
Le Plan de la Tour is a place that cannot be visited, but can be discovered. This extensive territory presents a unique feature in the region: 25 discreet hamlets scattered among the steep hills. Each of these hamlets has its own character and way of life, which makes the discovery of these pearls with their delicious toponymy even more pleasant. For example, Les Brugassières, where heather grows, Le Préconil, Vallaury, Le Vernet, where alder grows, Prat Bourdin with its menhirs, Le Revest… As you walk along the rural paths, you can discover the wildlife and local flora, while following the traces of a past that goes back to prehistory. It is an enriching experience to live in all seasons.
WIDE NATURE, LAND OF DISCOVERY
Want a preview? The “Gorgues” trail is ideal. It is easy and accessible to all, and will allow you to discover the village as a whole: its vineyard, its hamlets, as well as two menhirs which stand on the edge of a stream. To the north of the village, the mining trail bears witness to past mining activity, with the extraction of lead and silver. By following this path, you will climb naturally from the plains to the tops of the surrounding hills. Another path connects La Garde-Freinet to San Peïre, via the Col de Vignon and the hills. At an altitude of 416 meters, one can better imagine this world apart, a true paradise for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding or even meditation. Everyone can choose their mode of transport to enjoy this exceptional environment.
TRADITIONS ARE CELEBRATE ALL YEAR ROUND
The rhythm of the seasons is marked by numerous traditional festivals. In March, the Corso parades with floats decorated with white heather, coming from our hills (every other year). At the end of April, we celebrate olive plants and olive oil, as well as the retro car festival. In May, Saint-Pons blesses animals and agricultural equipment during the donkey festival. During the summer we look forward to the night markets, balls and Festival dans les Vignes shows. In September, when the grapes have ripened, we honor the cooked wine. And of course, Christmas is a special time when the hamlets are lit up, the lantern parade is prepared and the big vigil brings together all the inhabitants of the village around the cacho fue. Le Plan de la Tour is a village in the South, where a fraternal atmosphere reigns.
LET’S GO FOR A WALK
From the Tourist Office go down Place Foch to Place de l’Oranger then take Rue Saint-Martin to its square and its old well . Take rue Pasteur and stroll through the alleys up to Place Clemenceau where the hackberry trees bathe the church in their refreshing shade. At the old presbytery, take the porch towards rue de l’Horloge; view of the church bell tower. Go up Avenue du Général-Leclerc to the Foyer des Campagnes. To go further, a few hundred meters on the right discover the Emponse district, its cobbled streets and small squares.
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
The village of Plan de la Tour was created in 1792 from the detachment of the eastern part of the Garde-Freinet. The most important hamlet then was that of Saint-Martin. In 1835, it expanded by more than a thousand hectares from the western part of Sainte-Maxime. Since the Neolithic period, men have left their traces there by the construction of menhirs (see the Gorgues circuit) and dolmens. In the Middle Ages, the different lordships which made it up belonged successively to the viscounts of Marseille, of the abbey of Saint-Victor, to the monks of Lérins and in the 13th century to the Cistercians of the abbey of Thoronet. Most of the twenty-five hamlets that make it up today correspond to the final phase of the reconquest of its territory, in the 16th century, by the monks of Thoronet.
NOT TO BE MISSED
• The Saint-Martin church and its campanile underwent a beautiful renovation in 2019.
• The renovated old neighborhoods with their cobbled streets.
• The 25 hamlets that make up the commune.
• The menhirs of Prat Bourdin; follow the path on foot after the hamlet for 80 m, cross the ford, the first is located 40 m higher on the left and the second 70 m further on the right.
PANORAMAS
• Route de la Corniche des Crêtes: residential area on the edge of the Maures forest. Viewpoint over both the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the Bay of Cavalaire (orientation table). And on the La Mole valley if you go up a little. In these woods: the ruined Peinier farm (group of 18th century houses called “Ménages”) near a natural water resurgence, to be discovered by following the “Les Panoramas” hiking circuit (www.visitgolfe.com).
INFORMATION
Office de tourisme communautaire – Bureau du Plan de la Tour
Catégorie 2
7, place Clémenceau
83120 Le Plan de la Tour
+33 (0)4 94 43 28 27 – leplandelatour@golfe-sainttropez-tourisme.fr
Tourist Office website: www.golfe-sainttropez-tourisme.fr
Destination website: www.visitgolfe.com
Copyright: Office de tourisme communautaire Golfe de Saint-Tropez Tourisme
Copyright : Office de tourisme communautaire du Golfe de Saint-Tropez
