Callas – between Provence and the Côte d’Azur

Callas is beautifully situated in the lush countryside of the Var, at an elevation of about 400 meters. The village is surrounded by forests, hills, and olive groves, giving it a completely different atmosphere than the busier towns along the Côte d’Azur.

Still, the Mediterranean Sea is surprisingly close. The coast near Fréjus, Saint-Raphaël, and Sainte-Maxime is about 35 kilometers from Callas. That makes the village a wonderful base if you want to combine the tranquility of Provence with a day at the beach.

Other beautiful places in the Var are also within easy reach. Think, for example, of Bargemon, Claviers, Seillans, Fayence, and Draguignan. To the north, the Gorges du Verdon and Lac de Sainte-Croix also beckon.

The Provençal Market in Callas

On Saturday mornings, there’s a market at Place Clemenceau, right in the heart of Callas. It’s not a huge market like the one in Lorgues, but that small-scale feel suits the village perfectly.

Among the market stalls, you’ll find fruits and vegetables, cheese, deli meats, flowers, and other local products. So here’s a great way to spend the morning: first, stroll through the market; then, grab a coffee in the village; and finally, head to Moulin de Callas to stock up on olive oil.

By the way, if you love Provençal markets, there’s somewhere to go almost every day from Callas. On other days, there are markets in places like Lorgues, Bargemon, Draguignan, Flayosc, and Le Muy, among others.

Olives, wine, and Provençal flavors

Callas is located in the heart of a region where olives and wine have been part of the landscape for generations. You can see this everywhere along the way: olive groves, vineyards, and small producers are scattered across the hills of the Var.

Callas’s connection to olive oil dates back centuries. The village is still home to an old municipal olive oil mill from the 18th century, where you can learn how oil was produced in the past.

For us, however, Moulin de Callas remains the clear favorite. The Bérenguier family has been producing olive oil here since 1928, and today, the fourth generation is carrying on the tradition. In the store, you can taste the different oils and, of course, buy them right there.

A particularly distinctive local olive variety is the Ribier, also known as Plant de Callas. Moulin de Callas uses this small olive to produce, among other things, a single-variety olive oil. For lovers of fine olive oil alone, Callas is therefore a great destination during a vacation in the Var.

Practical Information About Callas

Distance from the coast: about a 40-minute drive to Fréjus, Saint-Aygulf, and Sainte-Maxime
Best time to visit: spring and fall, when it’s pleasantly quiet and the temperatures are mild
Market Day: Saturday morning
Location: 83830 Callas, Var, France

For more information, please visit the Office de Tourisme Dracénie Provence Verdon.

Luxury villas near Callas

For 8 people
Villa Bargemon in Bargemon, sleeps 8
Villa Les Olivettes, Fayence, sleeps 8
Villa La Gourmandise, Seillans, sleeps 8