Collobrières

http://www.collobrieres.fr/
Situation

Considered the "Capital of the Moors", this village nestled in the valley of Réal Collobrier, dominated by the Babaou pass, to the south, the Chartreuse de la Verne to the east, and Notre Dame des anges to the north (exceptional view), is at the center of a forest massif of nearly 12,000 ha including 900 ha of chestnut trees including 300 maintained, or about 200 tons of chestnuts and chestnuts per year.

Nestled in the green massif of the Maures, the town of Collobrières offers this sweet tranquility of the Var hinterland where the authenticity of the Provencal village, the fabric of a generous nature and the richness of a local heritage mix.

The inhabitants of this village (Collobriérois, Collobriéroises), called "Capital of Moors", share 11,268 hectares of forests (99.2% of which are protected) where heather, ferns, broom, strawberry trees, chestnut trees, holm oaks and cork oaks blend harmoniously.

Collobrières is a village of 1600 inhabitants nestled in a hollow of greenery between the crystalline hills of the Massif des Maures.

You will appreciate its charm by browsing its forests of chestnut trees, cork oaks ..., but also by strolling through its caladée streets that climb to the old Saint Pons church or along its stream, the Réal Collobrier.

Origin of the name

The village of Collobrières owes its name to the real Collobrier, or river of snakes, at the time when the Romans exploited the mines of lead, copper and iron.

History

The first traces of life in Collobrières date from pre-Roman times. The Réal Collobrier, was used to protect the population against the epidemics of great plagues of Provence.

Immersed in the Moorish forest, the village has always lived on its resources: grazing, livestock, logging.

It was a local child who went to Spain to seek the secret of transforming cork into corks.

The mansions that line the main street tell the story of these once flourishing industries and contrast strikingly with the medieval houses of the old village.

Today the forest remains an important element in the life and heart of Collobriérois.

The wealth of Collobrières

Famous for its chestnut groves spread over 900 hectares, Collobrières has made this tree its symbol. A traditional and particularly convivial festival, every year on the last three Sundays of October, declines the chestnut in all its forms (Fresh, grilled, cream, chestnuts glacés ...)

The chestnut tree is a tree that grows only on acidic soil. Conducive to this exploitation, the Maures massif is home to nearly 2500 hectares of chestnut groves spread over 5 communes: Collobrières, La Garde Freinet, les Mayons, Pignans and Gonfaron. Thus, the entire Var production is harvested there, i.e. 300 to 400 tons. French production represents 10,000 tonnes.

Castaneiculture (chestnut cultivation) requires maintenance throughout the year

Aljunina