The rock of Roquebrune sur Argens

The Rocher de Roquebrune is a lovely red-rock butte jutting up out of a sea of green pine forest. The Rocher (lit. "Rock") is at the north edge of the Massif des Maures, a mountain range that runs from the edge of Toulon to Fréjus / Saint-Raphaël. The butte is prominent along the south side of the autoroute, near Fréjus, when you're passing through. The deep-red rocks are also clearly visible from small roads throughout the region, and are a lovely backdrop to the village of Roquebrune-sur-Argens.

Notre-Dame de la Roquette

Hidden in the forest on the northern slope of the Rocher de Roquebrune, the short bell tower of the Notre-Dame de la Roquette chapel protrudes from the trees. The chapel sits behind huge rocks in the forest, near the cliffs, so it becomes less and less visible the closer you get to it. Immediately behind the chapel is the cliff face, with a jumble of gigantic boulders that help form a maze of caves and narrow passages between the stone. The impression is that the boulders have just fallen and might tumble again at any moment, although they have no doubt been there for tens of thousands of years. The parking area on the little road near the chapel is now lined with "Private Property" signs painted on the rocks. There's no indication of what part of the area is private, or why or by whom. If you hike in from the east or west along the cliffs there are no signs, and nothing around the old chapel itself. Notre-Dame de la Roquette was part of the defensive Convent of the Trinitaires from the 12^th century. The chapel dates from the 17^th century, still standing in the forest, beside the ruins of the more ancient buildings. Behind the well-hidden chapel, a deep natural trench is cut across the base of the cliffs. A path drops down into the trench at the left end, traverses across to the right, and then curves back through a very narrow slot into the cliff, with rock walls rising high above the slot on both sides. Follow the narrow trail, passing beneath large boulders that have fallen and jammed into the slot before reaching the bottom. The trail curves right into a deep, narrow dead-end canyon, with a thick stone wall making the front of the hidden little Chapelle St. Jean tucked into the cave of the overhanging rocks.

Le Rocher de Roquebrune-sur-Argens

Le Rocher fait partie des espaces naturels sensibles les plus fréquentés du département, situé sur un massif isolé qui se dresse au-dessus de la plaine de l’Argens sur 6 km² et culmine à 376 mètres d’altitude. Les points de vue panoramiques à couper le souffle, sur la ligne de crête du Rocher, vous laisseront un souvenir inoubliable. Le Rocher est propice à la randonnée : un sentier de Grande Randonnée, le GR51, permet d’effectuer le tour du Rocher et de suivre diverses boucles. La position de ce Rocher et son impact paysager ont conduit à son classement par décret ministériel du 6 juillet 1989. La richesse du Rocher au plan biologique a permis son intégration dans les sites Natura 2000. La Ville de Roquebrune-sur-Argens vient d’entamer le processus visant à obtenir son classement au patrimoine mondial de l’Humanité décerné par l’Unesco.

Les Trois Croix

La présence de Trois Croix au sommet du Rocher semble attestée depuis la nuit des temps, puisque leur origine, selon la légende locale, remonterait à la mort du Christ. C’est au début des années 90 que le sculpteur Bernar Venet, qui réside et a créé sa fondation au Muy, est venu à la rencontre de la Municipalité, au sein de laquelle Jean-Paul Ollivier, le Maire actuel, était Adjoint à la Culture, afin de proposer la réalisation de trois croix monumentales au sommet du Rocher. L’œuvre a été inaugurée le 11 juillet 1991. Pour chacune de ces croix, le sculpteur a choisi de rendre hommage à trois artistes majeurs de l’histoire de l’art. Il s’est inspiré de célèbres « crucifixions » peintes aux 14^ème, 15^ème et 16^ème siècles, chefs d’œuvre de Giotto, Grunewald et le Greco.

Hike

A short but energetic walk that is exposed towards the end. Enjoy the stunning views from the top of Rocher de Roquebrune with its famous ochre colours.

Calculated time: 2h35
Distance : 4 miles / 6.44 kilometers
Vertical gain : 971ft / 296 meters
Vertical drop : 971ft / 296 meters
Highest point : 1030ft / 314 meters
Lowest point : 59ft / 18 meters
Difficult : Difficult
Back to starting point : Yes
Area : Massif des Maures
Location : Roquebrune-sur-Argens (83520)
Starting point : N 43.443648^° / E 6.6192^°
Download : complete pdf sheet - GPX track

Waypoints and description

The walk starts out at the forest barrier in La Maurette, south of Arena lake, near the Pétignons.

(D/A) (mi 0 - alt. mi 0) Take the GR51 trail (Grande Randonnée – Long Hike) with red and white waymarks to the west. The path climbs up a dry riverbed and then joins a track near some isolated houses.
(1) (mi 0.73 - alt. mi 0.73 - Basse Rouquaire, fork, follow the GR to the right) When the track splits into a fork ahead of you, keep following the GR51 on the right. The path runs alongside the left bank of a river through some undergrowth planted with mimosas.
(2) (mi 1.53 - alt. mi 1.53) When you come out from the undergrowth, an unmarked track leads off to the right, to the northeast. There may be a barrier on the ground indicating a private track. Take this track up into the scrubland. You will be able to see the rocks clearly up ahead of you. To reach the top, you will need to go round them to the left and climb up from the west. The path takes a northwesterly direction and then reaches a crossing in a grove of oak and pine trees.
(3) (mi 2 - alt. mi 2 - The three crosses lit. "les Trois Croix") At the crossing, turn right, towards the northeast and follow the yellow or blue waymarks. The path goes past some ruins, climbs up through the woods, and then comes out at a large rock face. Follow the yellow waymarks to the right of this rock face, still heading northeast. The slope becomes very steep and you will often need to use your hands. You will reach the foot of a rock face; continue to the left for the last 30 metres with a little easy rock climbing to reach the top.
(4) (mi 4 - alt. mi 4) The three crosses and the survey marker are on your left above the last few rocks you will need to climb. The return journey is back along the same route.

Useful Information

There is no water source along this route.
The end of the climb is difficult between (3) and (4). There are several sections where you will need to make your way carefully or use your hands. The summit is a little dizzying. We advise taking IGN maps with you on this walk. During the walk or to do/see around Superb views from the top of Rocher de Roquebrune, with the summits of the Esterel, and the bay of Fréjus / Saint-Raphaël to the east. To the southwest, there are beautiful views over the Massif des Maures. The changing colours of the rocks in the sun also make it well worth the trip.