Bras is a charming little Templar village, nestled between the valleys and wooded hills of the Var hinterland called "Provence Verte". A paradise for lovers of unspoiled nature and authenticity... This country offers an oasis of peace and relaxation in an exceptional panorama of greenery and calm, ideal to escape the noise of the city, discover a region of art and history and retire to appreciate the charm of a peaceful and authentic Provence...
Provence Verte offers wild and immaculate landscapes, interrupted only here and there by picturesque small villages perched in eagle's nest or staged on the slopes of hills and mountains. Bras is a good example: it is on the hill St Pierre that the village develops in XIe century before "moving" a few centuries later towards the bottom of the valley. Before that, in the 13th century, the Knights Templar settled near the town and founded around the chapel of Notre-Dame de Bethlehem an important Commandery which provided supplies to the Templars of Orient via the port of Marseille.
But the beauty of this region also comes from its sublime southern setting consisting of vineyards as far as the eye can see, olive groves, fruit and lavender plantations. Here you put your foot in the garden of the South...
The name of the village comes from the Celtic word "Braz" which designates a water hole. And the landscape around the village is indeed characterized by the freshness of many rivers, but also by deep and clear ponds, the "Gours Bénits". Legend has it that disbelieving villagers were punished by the sky and disappeared into the waters of a lake dug suddenly..., however, the science speaks rather of volcanic origin for these small lakes and chasms.
Today, Bras has a little over 2500 inhabitants. You will find the main shops (mini market, bakeries, butcher-caterer, bars, restaurants, creperie, pizzeria, post office, press and tobacco, hairdressers, craftsmen...), and there are markets for fruits and vegetables. vegetables, fish, local products, flowers.
At 400 m altitude, the village and its surroundings is an eldorado for nature lovers and hikers. It is an ideal place to relax in the great outdoors. Many trails lead you to the surrounding forest, meadows, small ponds and streams. About 300 sunny days a year, pleasantly cool nights for a calm and deep sleep, beautiful unspoiled landscapes, and the Mediterranean way of life - all this and much more awaits you here...
