In the Var department in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, the town of Les Arcs, also called Arcs-sur-Argens, is a tourist site popular in southern France. It takes its name from the Latin meaning arcus ark, designating the arches of an old bridge crossing the Argens.
Located about ten kilometers from Draguignan, the town is crossed by Argens, as well as the forest of the Moors. The city of Les Arcs is especially renowned for its beautiful medieval quarter that dominates the city center.
Lovers of old stones will delight in this town that seems to have stopped in the middle of the Middle Ages. Ruins of walls, chapels, old medieval houses, tourist attractions abound in the streets of Les Arcs.
Quiet and pleasant, this city Var allows to spend a few hours in peace, away from the bustle of the town, in another time. The visitor finds himself instantly transported into a peaceful and sweet Middle Ages.
The city of Les Arcs is not lacking in interest, whether from a historical or architectural point of view. Rich in a very old heritage, it presents visitors with exceptional monuments. The main tourist attraction of Les Arcs remains its medieval city which dominates the more modern town centre. In particular, you can admire a 13th century keep, nineteen meters high, as well as a very beautiful 17th century campanile. The district of Parage also presents vestiges of ramparts, with in particular the fortified gate of the castle (known as the "gate of the miracle of the roses"), the old castrum of Arcus, or a very beautiful chapel of Saint-Pierre. Built with two naves and very beautiful side chapels, it serves as a place of cultural life in the summer season.
Slightly away from the town, the Sainte-Roseline chapel is an unmissable site in Les Arcs. Listed as a Historic Monument, it was built in the 11th century and today has an exceptional interior. In particular, you can discover a Baroque high altar, a mosaic by Marc Chagall, or a very beautiful bas-relief attributed to Diego Giacometti. Note that the site houses the remains of Saint Roseline. Not far away, in the center of a large wine estate, you can admire the Château Sainte-Roseline, the former monastery of La Celle-Roubaud, which was rebuilt in the 16th century.
Lovers of religious architecture will appreciate the 19th century Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, with its very beautiful polyptych by Louis Bréa from the beginning of the 16th century.
Ideal for family walks or more strenuous hikes, the municipal forest of the Massif des Maures also has archaeological sites, including the Terriers and their set of nine Neolithic menhirs.
The Maison des Vins des Côtes de Provence allows you to taste more than 800 wines with a controlled designation of origin and to discover various activities around this drink.
For centuries Les Arcs is a bustling town full of life offering different animations highlighting its heritage. The city still continues today this festive tradition.
Les Arcs hosts a charming Provencal market throughout the year, on Thursday morning.
With entertainment for the whole family, model of living Arcs takes place every March. The city offers and exhibitions of models and other models, flight demonstrations or navigation, and a fireworks show.
The month of May is the scene of the festival of plants and pink, with the presence of several gardening professionals and artists from defending their art.
Every two years, in July, the Arcs organizes its famous Medieval. The opportunity to discover the sound and light shows, medieval markets, street theater, demonstrations of ordnance fire, conferences, or costumed parades.
In October, up to the famous festival of honey Arcs-sur-Argens, with many events around this divine nectar and tastings. Also note that during the weekend, an original ignition contest is organized bee smokers.
Do not miss the Gorges du Verdon, Lake St. Croix and its surrounding small towns, hilltop villages of Dracénie. But also the markets of Provence, Saint-Tropez and its gendarmerie...
