Callian Village Guide
Callian is a medieval village in the South of France and one of the string of perched villages found in the Var between Montauroux and Fayence. It is part of the Canton de Fayence. Perched at 325m, the village looks over to the plains between the Massif de l'Estérel to the south and the Pré- Alpes to the north. Set in an elevated position, it is noted for its amazing views of the hills that surround the area. From the outside, the village has a very unspoiled and traditional character and it makes for the perfect setting to visit and enjoy rural Southern Mediterranean France at its best.
The village has an authentic charm, nestling around its feudal castle which is one of the oldest in the Var. Standing below the castle is the beautiful quadrangular clock tower with its tile glazed roof standing majestically above the village with the 12th century Chapelle des Penitents just below in the village square. The highest point of the town offers a breath-taking panorama of the mountains of Tanneron and the Esterel. You cannot fail to capture the beautiful vista of the village in all its splendour as you approach from Montauroux village.
Typical of a medieval village it is very much characterised by its numerous alleys and picturesque paths and steps which wind their way around the castle. The village square is quite delightful, with its chestnut and the plane trees and its distinctive waterfall offering the quiet and calming trickle of water. The village itself is a small yet worthwhile place to visit with plenty of interest and a perfect photo opportunity whilst on your holiday.
Behind the village is the extensive forest of Défens. A vast area covered in pines and oak trees, many hundreds of years old. With many trails, you could drive out of Callian village in the direction of St Cezaire sur Siagne, park up on the road side and walk for hours. The forest is maintained by the communities of Montauroux and Callian. If you head in an easterly direction you can follow the trails to the Stade at Montauroux. Here you will find a fitness route with staging posts giving hints on various exercises during a walk or run and, occasionally, strategically placed wooden equipment to help encourage you.
Good food and Provençal wine - Callian Village
Callian hosts several music events throughout the year, including a String Quartet festival in October and a Cello Festival in June. The Canton de Fayence takes an active part in the Music Festivals of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region which fill the calendar in the summer season.
Food and wine are as big a fixture in Callian as with many towns and villages in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region. The shady village square is the perfect place to begin your culinary exploration. A relaxing morning breakfast with croissants from the local boulangerie. Take a leisurely lunch under the plane trees or venture further into the village for other small bistros. Le Bellevue offers a relaxed venue in the village square with a tasty menu. It is an ideal opportunity to sample the local wines too and decide on a day trip to that vineyard in the days ahead. In the summer, the main street of Callian is closed to traffic in the evenings so you can relax and enjoy the ambiance.
Close to the Cote d'Azur, you really do need to visit the area to see its charm, ambiance and history. An area retaining its authenticity and rural life. Away from the busy coastline, a relaxed pace of living. Tumbling mountainside terraces growing local produce you can buy in the markets. Water trickling down through the many streams and the Gorges de Siagne. Walk through the forests or simply explore the village of Callian and its centuries of history.
Callian from the Middle Ages
The history of the village takes you back to a time occupied by Ligurian Celts and then Romans. By the Middle Ages, Callian had become an important borough whose land extended towards the coast as far as Mandelieu La Napoule in the Alpes-Maritimes.
The medieval castle at the centre of Callian is quadrangle-shaped, its four towers were built during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. It was later renovated in a Renaissance style. Over the years, the castle has been owned by wealthy families from Grasse, Villeneuve, Lyle Taulanne and Raphelis-Brovès. Today, parts of the inside of the castle are no longer open to the public, used as offices for the Town Hall, but you can still wander around and enjoy its outer perimeter and the incredible surrounding view.
There is also a second castle, Goerg Castle, named after Edouard Goerg, the French expressionist painter and author (1893-1969). Edouard Goerg moved to live in Callian immediately after the war and remained there until his death in 1969. The Chateau and its beautiful turrets were built in a park of terraced gardens, adjacent to the village centre. It is now the property of the municipality of Callian. Edouard and his wife were laid to rest in the park of the property and today concerts often take place in the gardens of the Chateau.
The Chapelle of Notre Dame des Roses, an archaeological site that dates to Gallic-Roman times. This is one of several chapels which reflect the religious life of ancient inhabitants of Callian. It is the oldest religious monument to be found in Callian. The Priory of the Abbey of Lérins was a cloistered community and was mentioned in the medieval manuscripts of Lérins as early as the year 1038 as a priory of the Abbey and cloisters. The bell, which still remains today, dates back to the 10th and 11th Centuries. The Chapelle fell into a state of disrepair over a number of years but it has recently undergone restoration work and is worth a visit and you can still visit the grounds of the chapel. Passers-by may often see a film crew in the grounds of Saint Donat due to its photogenic features.
The Chapel of the Penitents was the parish church until 1685. As the population of the village grew around the medieval castle, the Chapel was replaced by the church of Notre-Dame d'Assumption. During its last days the chapel became home to the White Penitents Brotherhood. Today, the Romanesque chapel of the Penitents plays host to many exhibitions and concerts throughout the year. It is possible to visit the grounds of the Chapel during exhibition times;
The heart of the village is dominated by the Church of Notre Dame de L'Assomption. It was built between the years 1675 and 1685. The roof of the tower is decorated with glazed tiles of many colours which shine in the sun and welcome visitors to Callian. The ancient stained glass windows were restored in the glass workshops of Fernand Léger in Biot. Within the church stands the golden statue of Saint Donat carved during the 16th century. Sunlight beaming through the carefully restored stained glass windows can light up the magnificent high altar in the apse. The church is open to visitors most mornings and we can recommend a quiet and cooler moment away from the summer heat to take in the history and beauty of this village Church.
Near to Fayence
Close to Callian is the larger medieval village of Fayence, geographically mid-way between the towns of Draguignan and Grasse. Originally a fortified village, Fayence has kept the charm of its medieval origins. This makes for another interesting place to explore as there is plenty of history to see and and do. The approach into Fayence village is mesmerising as you look over the tumbling roof tops and you cannot fail to appreciate the age of the village. There is an excellent market three times a week and incredible views from many parts of the village. This is also a good venue to sample some of the excellent Provençal cuisine on offer in its many restaurants and cafés.
Les Grottes de St Cezaire
A short drive from Callian village are the extraordinary Grottes de Saint-Cézaire. They were discovered back in 1890 by a farmer who, whilst clearing one of his fields, came across a hole. Upon digging deeper, an underground cavity became apparent. In the 1920s steps were carved into the rock to allow access for the public. They were closed during the War, after which powerful lights were installed to illuminate the crystal formations and beautiful colours of the rock face and they were reopened to the public in 1946. Every year visitors enjoy the spectacular marvel of this unique site in the Alpes-Maritimes region of France. The descent takes you down and along a 200m path, alongside the incredible shapes and the underground river created by nature.
If fishing is your passion look no further than Lac de St Cassien in Montauroux
Lac de Saint Cassien is nearby with its abundance of things to see and do. In the summer season water activities are available for everyone. There is a large water activities area with inflatable trampoline, inflatable rock climbing and other fun inflatable apparatus. You can also take out a Pedalo onto the lake and explore the little coves and beaches. Cycling and hiking are also popular sports in this area and make for a great way to see the surrounding sights and vistas. One should not forget that Lac de St Cassien is also one of Europe's most famous carp fishing lakes.
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