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Seillans is a very ancient village nestled back against the base of a forested mountain, looking out to the south across the lower valleys. The D19 road (Route de Bargemon) from Fayence passes in the plain at the south entrance of Seillans close to the Notre-Dame de l'Ormeau chapel and then narrowly through the bottom of the village, directly beside the tiny "Placette de la Route". This square, with accompanying fountain and lavoir is completely shaded from morning to night by its gigantic plane tree, whose leafy branches stretch out to cover the entire square and even across the road.
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Nearby: |
Bagnols-en-Forêt 20 km |
Bargème 33 km |
Callas 18 km |
Cannes 46 km |
Claviers 14 km |
Fayence 7 km |
Fréjus 38 km |
Gourdon 46 km |
Grasse 31 km |
Mons 14 km |
Montauroux 12 km |
Saint Cézaire Grottos |
Saint Cézaire-sur-Siagne 35 km |
Saint Paul-en-Forêt 13 km |
Saint Tropez 72 km |
Below: |
Gastronomy |
Favorite sons |
Perfumery |
History |
O.T. |
Dates |
Transportation |
Sports |
Hiking |
Dining |
Lodging Hotels |
From this bottom square, Seillans stretches up through narrow, cobblestone streets that pass between ancient buildings and other lovely squares to eventually reach the Saint Léger church at the top. In between are small, shaded squares with fountains. At the Place du Thouron, a trio of very ancient plane trees shades the ancient stone fountain, which is surrounded by outdoor restaurant tables. Further up near the top, another shaded square with a bubbling fountain and an outdoor café is located beside the ancient Porte Sarrasine (Saracen door). The view from this square is out over a valley to the green hills to the east.
The painter-sculptor Max Ernst and his wife Dorothea Tanning visited here often, and finally settled here in 1964 to live the last ten years of his life.
Bories
There is one borie located in the woods just south of the village.
Gastronomy
Tourte de blettes - This small quiche-like tart made from a white beet (blette) is the speciality of Seillans. It's baked in a large rectangle, with individual pieces cut for sale or consumation.
Favorite sons
 Bernard Pellicot - built the Fort de Notre Dame-de-la-Garde at Marseilles;
Colomb de Seillans - author of the prose comedy "La Gageure du Village", performed in 1706 in Paris for the king;
botanist Gaston Bonnier (1853-1922);
Max Ernst (see above);
Princess Di and Fergy vacationed here in July 1996.
In 1888, Queen Victoria visited Seillans to see the Vicomtesse de Savigny, founder of the famous perfumery of Seillans.
Perfumery
The perfumeries of Seillans, located a short way up in the hills outside the village, date back to 1883, and are still a solid business, providing economic activity and employment for the region.
History
Name
First record, 814 Agro Ciliano, and 1013: Sillonem.
Etymology: Seilhanso, Provençal word for oil bowl (bassine à huile); or possibly Caelius, latin patronymic.
Celto-Ligurian:
Seillans dates back to 500 BC, when a small Celtic-Ligurian tribe "les Sayllens" established a defensive site on the high, triangular saillant. This oppidum remained isolated from the Greek settlements that arrived later along the coast.
The "Massaliotes" came next, creating a trading center with the descendants of the "Sayllens".
Gallo-Roman:
In time, the Romans arrived, first establishing homes around the site of the current village, and later founding a Roman colony of veterans. Roman remains include thermal baths in the village and at Rapiamus; artifacts at Bégude; an enscribed funerary stela at Notre-Dame-de-l'Ormeau and tombs at the Bastide des Saurins.
Medieval:
In the fourth century, the Christians built a chapel in the plain south of the village. It was destroyed by the Saracens in the 10th century, but rebuilt as the chapel Nötre-Dame de l'Ormeau.
Following the collapse of the Roman western Empire in the fifth century, Seillans suffered through several centuries of wars, sieges, and raids, including the Saracens during the 9th century and, much later, the ravages of the French Revolution.
In 884, Seillans was the fief of the Abbey of St. Victor of Marseilles. Later rulers were the Counts of Provence and, in the 13th century, the Hospitaliers.
Office de Tourisme
Tel : 04 94 76 85 91; Fax: 04 94 76 84 45
Web: www.seillans-var.com
Email: contact@seillans-var.com
Dates
Every Wed - Market
1st Weekend July - Fête des Selves
Last Weekend July - Fête de St. Cyr
Last Sun July - Fête des Fleurs (every 2 years)
3rd Sun Sep - Foire
Transportation Seillans
Air
The nearest international airport is Nice.
Airport Nice-Cote d'Azur (65 km)
Airport Cannes-Mandelieu (40 km)
Fayence airfield (7 km) - private planes
Bus
Bus service is provided daily to Draguignan, Grasse and St Raphaël (beside Fréjus). Bus service to Cannes is provided a few days a week.
Bus
Draguignan - Fayence Bus
Bus line 3201 connects Draguignan, Figanières (Quatre Chemins), Callas (Quatre Chemins), Seillans, and Fayence.
Sports
Cycling
Tour de France
On the route of the 2009 Tour de France, stage 2, Monaco to Brignoles. The tour approaches on the D19 from Fayence and turns south onto the D53 at the southeast edge of town.
Hiking
- Maps:
- IGN (1/25,000) #3543 OT "Draguignan"
Dining
La Chirane
Location:
rue Portail
Tel: 0494 769 620
Restaurant Clariond
Location:
Place Thouron
Tel: 0494 769 928
Hotel de France Clariond
Location:
Place Thouron
Tel: 0494 769 610; Fax: 04 94 76 89 20
Lodging - Hotels
Hotels in Towns Nearby to Seillans
• 7 km — Fayence hotels
• 12 km — Montauroux hotels
• 31 km — Grasse hotels
• 38 km — Frejus hotels
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Photo gallery of 10 photos for Seillans
