Provençal and Open-Air Market in Ollioules
Every Thursday and Saturday morning, enjoy the friendly atmosphere with local flavors and seasonal produce.
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Ollioules
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ℹ️Practical info — Ollioules
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Drive carefully through the Gorges d'Ollioules; the road is spectacular but narrow.
- Walk up to the ruins of the feudal castle for panoramic views stretching to the Mediterranean Sea.
- The town is a 'Ville et Métiers d'Art', visit the artisans' workshops located in vaulted cellars.
- Wear sturdy shoes for the uneven cobblestones in the historic medieval center.
🍽 Food
🍽
Nougat of Ollioules
Taste the famous Provençal nougat at Nougat Jonquier, a historic family institution in the center.
🍽
Provençal olive oil
Sample fresh olive oil and tapenade at the local mills or specialty shops around the town.
🍽
Fougasse bread
Pick up this traditional savory flatbread at a local bakery as an excellent hiking snack.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Artisanal crafts
Buy unique pottery and jewelry directly from the artists' studios tucked away in the medieval alleys.
🛍
Ollioules markets
Visit on Thursday and Saturday mornings to buy fresh olives and local Provençal produce.
🧘
Canal des Arrosants
Follow these historic irrigation canals for a shaded and very peaceful stroll behind the gardens.
🧘
The Reppe riverside
Enjoy a refreshing walk along the riverside right near where it enters the spectacular gorges.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
4
Ollioules Producers' Market
A unique afterwork market gathering local organic producers selling fruits, cheeses, wines, and honey directly.
Exhibition on European Friendship
To celebrate Europe Day, the city presents an exhibition dedicated to Franco-German and Franco-Italian friendship.
Musical Stroll with Christian Fromentin
A walking concert performed by Christian Fromentin as part of the European Heritage Days.
Positioned at the mouth of dramatic limestone gorges just west of Toulon, Ollioules is a town distinguished by its strong artisanal traditions and rugged Mediterranean landscape. Historically renowned as a major center for olive cultivation, reflected directly in the town's name, its terraced hillsides are still dotted with ancient olive groves. Above the historical center stand the evocative ruins of an 11th-century feudal castle, accessed via steep, winding stone pathways that reward hikers with sweeping views of the Reppe valley and the distant sea. Down in the village, the streets are defined by distinctive arcades and pastel facades adorned with wrought-iron balconies. Ollioules has successfully reinvented itself as a "City of Arts and Crafts"; dozens of independent artisans, including glassblowers, luthiers, and ceramicists, operate workshops in the ground floors of the old houses. Visitors can browse these studios before resting in the lively central square under the shade of massive plane trees. In autumn, the town honors its agricultural roots by hosting a popular Olive Festival, offering tastings of local oils, tapenades, and traditional wood-fired breads.
- Location: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
- Top sights: Feudal Castle of Ollioules · Gorges of Ollioules · Saint Lawrence Church
- Nearby: Sanary-sur-Mer (4 km)
- Population: ~14.568
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 11 |
| Rain mm | 57 | 48 | 51 | 46 | 43 | 21 | 9 | 15 | 45 | 85 | 105 | 71 |
Geography
Facts
- Located in the Var department (83).
- Home to the national label 'Ville et Métiers d'Art'.
- The Gorges d'Ollioules are a classified natural site.
- Average property prices are among the highest in the Var.
- Hosts the annual 'Festival des Echos' music event.
- A key center for professional floriculture in PACA.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Ollioules (9)
Frequently asked questions
What is Ollioules known for as a craft city?
Ollioules holds the 'Ville et Métiers d'Art' label and hosts numerous workshops for ceramics, glass art, and jewelry.
What are the Gorges d'Ollioules?
An impressive rocky gorge through which a winding road snakes past spectacular limestone formations.
What role do flowers play in Ollioules?
The city was formerly the world capital of everlasting flowers (immortelles), celebrating this annually with a flower parade.
Is there a medieval center?
Yes, the old town center impresses with narrow streets, archways, and the ruins of a 13th-century castle.
How close is Ollioules to the sea?
The beaches of Sanary-sur-Mer and Six-Fours-les-Plages are only about 10-15 minutes away by car.
Ollioules: where is it located?
Ollioules is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Ollioules: what is there to see?
Highlights include Feudal Castle of Ollioules, Gorges of Ollioules, Saint Lawrence Church.
Ollioules: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.
Ollioules: why is it worth visiting?
Positioned at the mouth of dramatic limestone gorges just west of Toulon, Ollioules is a town distinguished by its strong artisanal traditions and rugged Mediterranean landscape.
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