Les Mayons are a locality of Var, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, 30 km east of Brignoles and 25 km from the coast and beaches.
The territory of nearly 29 km² lies to the south on the foothills of the Massif des Maures and is north of the plain of the Moors, now classified as a National Nature Reserve.
Largely wooded, the site of the Mayons is first a hamlet in the fifteenth century where charcoal is established and then, over the centuries, are exploited iron and lead mines that were closed in the aftermath of the Second World War World.
Les Mayons depend under the Ancien regime of the lords of Luc and the town was officially created only under Napoleon III, in 1863.
Now with about 650 inhabitants, the village highlights its forest and natural environment. Besides a few vineyards and farms (chestnut, honey), it is a step of choice for lovers of green tourism less than an hour beaches and famous resorts of the Var coast.
The small Provencal village with its flowery streets has preserved a historical heritage that lacks neither charm nor interest. This is the case of his church Saint John, dating from the seventeenth century, remodeled and enlarged in the nineteenth, with a campanile. It houses a rich furniture and especially a painting evoking the Crucifixion where St. John and Mary and an amazing painting that refers to the Calvary, dated to the seventeenth century.
In the village and surrounding areas, there are also many fountains and oratories, which bear witness to its past where immigrant populations (Italy, Germany) working in the coal mines and then in the mines were scattered and very practicing.
To mention also a beautiful house of notable (sometimes called the castle), dating from the nineteenth century. But the "real" castle of Mayons is an 18th century house, below the village, surrounded by olive trees and a park of 2 hectares, located between the massif and the plain. Acquired by the departmental community, the castle houses since 2010 the House of Nature. This institution hosts throughout the years animations, exhibitions, conferences that aim to reconcile discovery of environmental wealth and sustainable tourism development. Actions are also conducted for young audiences and adults. A garden and an educational farm with chickens, goats, sheep and donkeys are established and a permanent exhibition is dedicated to the "peoples of the Moors", both in terms of fauna and flora. Open every day. Information on +33 4 94 50 80 81.
Before extending this visit by discovering the plain of the Moors, a detour is required by another "monument" of the village: the "grandfather" chestnut, a tree several hundred years old.
Then, via many hiking trails, the verdant National Nature Reserve of the Plaine des Maures, part of the 5200 hectares is located on the territory of the municipality, allows to apprehend an exceptional biodiversity in the Mediterranean region, as well as a landscape of great value. There is a very wide variety of areas (oak groves, pine forests, lawns, temporary pools, maquis, sandstone slabs, meadows...) where rare species such as Hermann's tortoise have taken refuge. The philosophy of the reserve is to protect biodiversity by taking into account human activities that are respectful of the environment. Information on +33 4 83 95 81 90.
Other hiking routes lead south to the Maures Massif (some circuits with terrain-related difficulties) and are dotted with magnificent views towards the interior of the country or the coastline and again, from ecological zones. interest (presence of orchids). Maps and information on +33 4 89 26 03 80.
Finally, on the cultural level, note that the village library regularly organizes readings for young children and literary meetings. Information on +33 9 67 81 97 80.
At the end of June, fires of Saint John.
In July, the first weekend after the national holiday, village festival with fun and musical entertainment.
The second and third Sunday of October, chestnut festival with gourmet events, local market, fairground attractions for children, street shows.
In December, living nativity scene.
Thoronet Abbey, Chartreuse of Verne, the Maures, the village of turtles, Bormes-les-Mimosas, the Var coast with St. Tropez, Grimaud, Port Grimaud, Ramatuelle, Le Lavandou, Hyeres with large beaches and islands (Porquerolles, Port-Cros), extraordinary gardens of Rayol-Canadel, the sumptuous footpath (3 caps Camarat Lardier and Taillat). The Var villages such Fayence, Seillans, Mons, Tourtour, Cotignac, Entrecasteaux and its castle, the old Cannet-des-Maures, sources of Argens, the Gorges du Verdon.
