The Parc National des Calanques has recently been created on 18 april 2012. At the doorstep of Marseille, the second largest city of France, the calanques national park is the first  near-urban national park in Europe. Covering both land and sea, its heart covers the territory of three cities : Marseille, Cassis, La Ciotat, protecting about 8.300 hectares on land and 43.500 hectares of sea.

Come célébrate the 662nd "fête des tripettes" in Barjols on Saint-Marcel Day. Traditional chants, costumes  and dances. Come and follow the procession of the bust of St Marcel and take part in the unusual Tripe dance when all the crowd jump along the road. Farandoles, folklore, village dance, mass... this is a true provençal festival to the sound of fifes and tambourines and the "Grande Marcel" (cow sacrifice) every 4th year.

Saint Marcel came from Die, and returned to Rome , dying at the monastery of Saint Maurice , near Montmeyan, at the beginning of the 6th century.  He was buried, venerated, and performed a number of miracles. Little by little, the chapel was neglected and fell into ruin, at which point St Marcel appeared in the garden and demanded that his body be transported to the place he determined. Barjols and Aups were prospering, but due to rivalries, the tribunal of Brignoles decided that the body would be placed in the nearest church school! This needed  consideration.  The local tavern crowd, nicknamed ‹‹les avocats››, the lawyers, counselled the Barjolais to take possession of the relics immediately. So, they did. On the 17 January, 1350, the people of Barjols retrieved the body of St Marcel. At the entrance to the village, the group encountered the women who where washing their beef tripe in memory of this method of salvation from starvation during a siege. A procession formed, and the women carried their basket of offal into the church, blending the profane and sacred, with the refrain, "Sant Marcèu Sant Marcèu leis tripetos vendran lèu." (Saint Marcel, Saint Marcel, the tripes brought you back here.)

Since then, we celebrate Saint Marcel, and every four years, we kill a bull. The prize animal is promenaded around the village, blessed by the clergy, and just before he goes off to the butcher, he is taken to the Place de la Rouguière for his final drink from the Beef Fountain. It’s important that he drinks copiously, because this signifies abundance for the village!  

Do not miss the Var Hiking Week
Semaine Varoise de la Randonnée Pédestre
08 - 16 October 2011

The Comité Départemental de la Randonnée Pédestre (Var Department Hiking Comitee) and the non-profit hiking associations, the Tourisme Offices offer 200 free guided  hikes to discover our natural heritage, from 08 to 16 of October 2011.

Because they love their region, because they know their land better than anyone else, and because they seek nature respect and exploration, the people of the Var are your guides to discover all aspects of their natural heritage : uncommon sites, secret canyons, mystical retreats, historical landmarks, great vistas, ...

Nature lover, hiker, or walker seeking recess, we will find what you need among the large number of trails or Var. Through Verdon, Estérel, Sainte-Baume, or Maures, or on the 198 km or sea shore trails, you will discover journeys between white sands and steep cliffs. This year Full Outdoor Activities joined the Var Hiking Week with the support of the local Olympic Comite.

Download the 2011 guide (in French) >>>
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 Comité Départemental de Tourisme du Var
1 boulevard Foch - F-83003 Draguignan Cedex
Tel. +33 (4) 94 50 55 50 - Fax +33 (4) 94 50 55 51
www.tourismevar.com - info@cdtvar.com

Comité Départemental de la Randonnée Pédestre du Var
L'Hélianthe - rue Emile Ollivier - La Rode - F-83000 Toulon 
Tél. +33 (4) 94 42 15 01 - Office open on Tuesday mornings from 09h00 to 11h30
http://cdrp83.free.fr - cdrp83@free.fr

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