Source de l'Argens (Seillons-Source-d'Argens)

Seillons-Source-d'Argens

The Argens is the main river of the Var and rises at the foot of the village of Seillons-Source-d'Argens, whose name keeps the memory of it. The spring gushes out at 269 m above sea level; the river then runs for about 115 to 116 km to the Mediterranean, at Fréjus. According to the regional entry, the Romans called it Argenteus, a name linked to the ‘silvery’ clarity of its waters. The spring is now hidden: part of its flow is captured in the rock of the hill to supply Seillons-Source-d'Argens and Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, and a pumping station stands at its foot. The same entry specifies that the spring has never dried up, even during droughts, and that the commune is entirely self-sufficient in water. The village is built on a tufa mound, with a view extending as far as the Sainte-Victoire and the Saint-Maximin plain; the tourist office highlights its hydraulic heritage, including a canal diverted towards the Meyronne. For the banks, one can follow the river towards the clairière du Tombereau and the waterfall, or the gorges du Vallon Sourn. No legend or controversy over the source was found.

Getting there: Coordinates of the village of Seillons-Source-d'Argens (Wikipedia EN), perched on a tufa mound; the spring is at its foot, but its exact point was not verified. The spring itself is hidden (captured); the banks are freely accessible all year. From June to September, access to forest massifs is regulated by the prefecture (fire risk).

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound