Villars-sur-Var

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Travel Guide > Towns > Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur > Alpes-Maritimes > Villars-sur-Var

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION		CLOSEST TOWNS
Town	Villars-sur-Var	Massoins at 4.9 km (7 min)
Insee code	06158	Malaussène at 7.2 km (8 min)
Postcode	06710	Touët-sur-Var at 9.1 km (9 min)
Latitude	43.9369609	Tournefort at 9.4 km (11 min)
Longitude	7.0971880	Rigaud at 18.8 km (19 min)
Altitude	From 239 to 1803 meters	Lieuche at 20 km (24 min)
Surface	25.27 km²	La Tour at 24 km (25 min)
Population	650 inhabitants	Pierlas at 26 km (28 min)
Density	25 inhabitants/km²	Gilette at 29 km (26 min)
Chief town	Nice (at 49 km, 54 min)	Bonson at 29 km (27 min)
Department	Alpes-Maritimes	Bairols at 29 km (29 min)
Region	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur	Search another town

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TOWN PRESENTATION

Location:

The medieval village of Villars-sur-Var is only 48 km from Nice, is 50 minutes from the capital of the Cote d'Azur.
Halfway between sea and mountain, Villars-sur-Var, capital of Canton unfolds in the sun on the plateau Savel, at 432 meters altitude. It towers over 200 meters the average of the Var river than along the line of railway from Provence and the county road 6202. From the station of Villars, walkers can access the village by a footpath.
The vehicles themselves, leaving the RD 6202 to take on their right, the county 26 which winds around 2 kilometers between vineyards, olive groves and oak woods (panoramic view over the valley to the west and south). This road allows, once you have stopped in Villars, or regain the county in 6202 through the pleasant village of Massoins that of Tournefort and descend via the Valley Tinée or monitor 226 for the county go see site Thiéry.

History:

The "eguituri" mountaineers whose origins are not specified, close to the Ligurian, a Celtic tribe, are probably the first inhabitants of the region. The site consisted of a simple hamlet of a few homes that were originally named "Villar". Romanized in 54 BC, the site's initial Roccaria was Christianized in the 4th century. On this site stands the chapel of St. John of the Desert, site of annual pilgrimage Villarois, the feast of St. John, June 24
The region has subsequently much troubled period of various invasions and is affected by fever and a major earthquake. Towards the millennium, the Villarois settle down on the sandstone plateau, the Savel, where the Templars develop the ancient vineyards and wheat farming. The medieval village is arranged in concentric semi-circles.
In 1388, the village was given to John Grimaldi, Baron Beuil. It is part of the county of Savoy.
In 1621, Hannibal Grimaldi rebel Duke of Savoy, is executed.
The community passed into the hands of feudal Piedmont, the Vergnano, then those of Count Salmadoris.
Villars is often busy. It burned in 1691 by the French.
In 1860, Villars is led by his deputy Leotard, inventor of rural factors, to vote on unification with France.
The village is significantly depopulated by the First World War.
Since the 1970s, the village population is steadily increasing, Villars becoming "a major suburb" Nice for those seeking tranquility and a different quality of life.

Pairing: Since August 24, 1981, Villars-sur-Var is twinned with the city of Cherasco, province of Cuneo, Italy. Count Salmadoris, the last feudal Villars, was a native of this city.

SIGHTSEEING

The ruins of the castle Espéron.
The Castre: House of the Templars, the Gothic parish church of "the Baroque" (1520-1766), the altarpiece of St. John of Ronzen (1524) and the statue of Saint John in polychrome wood Mathieu Antwerp.
The alley Grimaldi, strange colonnaded 15th century that served trellis.
Chapels St. Anthony and St. Bridget of Sweden, ancient medieval gates closing the village communal oven, hydroelectric complex with the laundry and the mill oil, wash the corn.
The Chapel of the penitents and the war memorial.
Scenic "Villario" organized by the Tourist Office in the village (two hours). It is thus committed in the medieval streets lined with traditional houses where one can still see the souleiaire (open attics for drying figs).
Tourist route along the irrigation canal.
Walking tour to the Chapel of St. John.
Hiking (GR 510).

Detailed information
Natural sites	Forest of the Villars, Headland of the Quatre Cantons

EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS

On June 24, the day of Saint John, pilgrimage to St. Jean du Desert, on the Roccaria, location of the village to its origin. Mass in the chapel and picnic spot at noon. The evening meals shared on the village square and fire on St. John.

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