This calm town in southern France has narrow streets leading to Place aux Aires and St-Sauveur church. Local wine cellars and shops line the squares, near the Gorges du Verdon.
In southeastern France's Var department, Draguignan lies between the Mediterranean coast and the Verdon Gorge. Walk through medieval streets where a 17th-century clock tower rises above stone houses, browse twice-weekly markets filled with local produce, or examine ancient weapons at the Museum of Artillery. You'll find the mysterious Fairy Stone dolmen just outside town, and can easily reach both the French Riviera beaches and the villages of inland Provence.
Getting to Draguignan
Take a direct TGV train from Paris or Nice to Les Arcs-Draguignan station, located 12 kilometers from town. Regular local buses run between the station and Draguignan's center. By car, follow the A8 highway - Nice is 80 km away and Saint-Tropez 42 km.
Exploring the Old Town
Walk the medieval quarter's narrow streets, where houses from the 1600s and 1700s line Rue de la Juiverie. The Tour de l'Horloge, a square clock tower built in the 17th century, stands on a rocky outcrop with an iron campanile at its top. Stop at the small squares throughout the old town, where stone fountains splash near sidewalk cafes and local shops.
Museums and Military History
At the Artillery Museum, you'll see weapons ranging from ancient times through World War II. The Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions explains local agricultural practices with demonstrations of olive oil pressing and wine making techniques. Visit the Rhone American Cemetery to see 861 graves of soldiers who fell during Operation Dragoon in 1944, and learn more at its visitor center.
Local Markets and Food
Shop at the main market every Wednesday and Saturday morning in Place du Marché for regional olive oil, wines from nearby vineyards, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Walk along Rue des Moulins just outside the old town to see working olive oil mills, where you can watch the pressing process and buy fresh oil.
Day Trips from Draguignan
From Draguignan, drive north to hike in the Verdon Gorge or south to swim at Saint-Tropez's beaches (42 km). Walk to the Pierre de la FĂ©e, one of Provence's largest megalithic monuments, on the town's outskirts. The nearby villages of Flayosc and Tourtour have kept their medieval stone buildings and narrow streets intact, making them worth a morning or afternoon visit.
