The roof of the Var - Cycling tour 07

The village of Bargème, the highest in the Var, will also win you over. There's plenty of climbing to be done!

At Comps-sur-Artuby: from the car park, turn left as you leave, then immediately take the D21 on your right, following the signs "Le toit du Var - circuit n°7".

Pedal along this beautiful road lined with pastures and pine trees in the middle of the valleys. Cross the Artuby at La Souche, and note the old arched bridge (17th century) on your left.

At the Sainte-Pétronille chapel <7 km>, take the D 37 on the left and, via a road that climbs, reach the village of Bargème (highest village in the Var at 1097 m, ruins of a 12th century castle, beautiful Romanesque church with magnificent artefacts). The beauty of the place, the superb panoramas and the peaceful atmosphere from the ruins of the castle will reward you for your effort!

Return to the Sainte-Pétronille chapel and turn left onto the D 21. If you wish, you can continue along this road to La Roque-Esclapon, taking the D 625 on your right. Otherwise, head towards La Bastide and pass through the village. Continue along the D 21 to the Col de Clavel (1,063 m).

At this point, turn right onto the long forest road, which twists and turns through a beautiful forest of pine and fir trees, taking you to the roof of the Var: the summit of Lachens mountain (the highest point in the Var (1,715 m), with its fine viewpoint and orientation table). This is a great place to stop and recharge your batteries, while admiring the sumptuous scenery from the top of the Var.

Follow the same forest road down to the Col de Clavel, then turn right onto the D 21, then immediately left onto the D 52.

Following the road as it winds through pine trees and pastures, cross the Artuby at the Passadoires bridge and arrive in the village of La Martre. Follow the D 52 through this peaceful, undulating landscape all the way to Châteauvieux.

After the Col de Siron (965 m), you come to the hamlet of Brenon. Turn left onto the D 52, go down the road with its sharp bends and follow the Jabron valley. If you wish, you can turn right onto the D 252 as far as the village of Le Bourguet and retrace your steps, otherwise stay on the D 52 as far as the hamlet of Le Jabron.

Turn right onto the D 955 and follow this open valley along the river, surrounded by snares. While admiring the view of the village of Trigance, cross the Jabron on an 18th century bridge, turn left onto the D 90 and wind your way up to the village of Trigance (12th, 15th and 16th century castle, hilltop village with houses forming ramparts).

Continue on the 90 and, after a steep climb, join the D 71 coming from the Verdon Gorges. Take this on the left, pass the Pas des Averses and arrive in Comps-sur-Artuby.