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Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier, a hilltop village in the Verdon
Verdon Guide
An ancient village clinging to its hilltop, on the edge of Lac d'Esparron
Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier, often known simply as Saint-Julien, is a commune in the Var with nearly 2,400 inhabitants spread across 7,588 hectares and twenty-eight hamlets. Its old village is perched at 576 metres above sea level, on a hillock overlooking the Provence Verte and the Verdon valley.
The commune forms part of the Parc naturel régional du Verdon. It stretches along the left bank of the Verdon, bordering Lac d'Esparron all the way to the Basses Gorges. We live here and welcome our guests: this is what we recommend they discover.
What makes this experience unique
Verdon Guide
The old village
Stone lanes and houses perched on the hilltop at 576 m. The village first appears in the archives as early as 1182.
12th-century gateway
A gateway from the medieval 12th-century ramparts still marks the entrance to the old village.
Romanesque church
The parish church dates from the late 11th and early 12th century.
The windmills
The windmills rise on the plateau to the north-west of the old village — one of the most photographed viewpoints in the commune.
Chapelle de la Trinité
Tucked away in the plain, 500 m west of the village, a peaceful pause for a leisurely stroll.
Lac d'Esparron
The commune borders Lac d'Esparron all the way to the Basses Gorges: swimming, canoeing, paddleboarding and electric boating just a few kilometres away.
Saint-Julien · Var · Parc naturel régional du Verdon
Between Provence Verte and the Verdon
Saint-Julien belongs to the Communauté de communes Provence Verdon and the Pays de la Provence Verte: a landscape of rolling hills, oak trees and lavender, far from the crowds of the coast.
Its twenty-eight hamlets — les Bernes, Boisset, Saint-Pierre, les Rouvières… — make up a remarkably expansive commune where nature remains ever-present.
Come evening, the old village offers sweeping views over the surrounding hills.
BookWhat to see in Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier?
Begin with the old village on foot: leave your car at the bottom and wander up through the lanes to the parish church, built between the late 11th and early 12th century. Along the way, the 12th-century rampart gateway is a reminder that this village, recorded in the archives as early as 1182, was once a fortified settlement.
Continue towards the plateau to the north-west to reach the windmills — the finest viewpoint in the commune, especially in the late afternoon light. Finally, in the plain 500 m to the west of the village, the Chapelle de la Trinité makes a rewarding discovery on a gentle walk.
Allow half a day to explore the village and its surroundings at a leisurely pace.
What to do around Saint-Julien?
Saint-Julien is an ideal base from which to explore the Verdon without the traffic of the major sites. Approximate driving times from the hamlet of les Rouvières:
- Old village of Saint-Julien — approximately 10 minutes.
- Gréoux-les-Bains, its spa resort and château — approximately 15 minutes.
- Quinson and the entrance to the Basses Gorges — approximately 25 minutes.
- Esparron-de-Verdon and its beach — approximately 30 minutes.
- Valensole and its lavender plateau (in bloom June–July) — approximately 30 minutes.
- Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, gateway to the great gorges of the Verdon — approximately 55 minutes.
To make the most of the lake, read our guide to Lac d'Esparron: swimming, electric boats, the Basses Gorges and everything you need to know.
Where to stay in Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier?
La Noccemada is located at 63 route des Rouvières, in Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier. Set within 1.5 hectares of private grounds, exclusively for adults, the property offers two distinct retreats: the Spirit of Bali Lodge, a private Balinese-inspired lodge for two with its own jacuzzi, from 349€ per night, and the Suite de la Bastide for 2 to 4 guests, with a 15-metre swimming pool.
Each evening, Stephan, your private chef — trained in Michelin-starred establishments, grand palace hotels in Geneva, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Monaco, aboard private yachts and with prestigious companies such as Cunard and Seabourn — offers a gastronomic dinner served alfresco, available on request, at 110€ per person. Discover our table d'hôtes.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Where is Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier?
In the Var, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, on the border with the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. The commune stretches along the left bank of the Verdon, bordering Lac d'Esparron, and forms part of the Parc naturel régional du Verdon and the Pays de la Provence Verte.
At what altitude is the village of Saint-Julien?
The old village is perched at 576 metres above sea level, on a hillock commanding the surrounding landscape.
What is there to visit in Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier?
The perched old village, the parish church dating from the late 11th and early 12th century, the 12th-century rampart gateway, the windmills on the plateau to the north-west, and the Chapelle de la Trinité, 500 m to the west.
Is Saint-Julien close to Lac d'Esparron?
Yes, the commune borders Lac d'Esparron all the way to the Basses Gorges. From La Noccemada, the Saint-Julien shore is approximately 8 km away.
How many inhabitants does Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier have?
Approximately 2,400 inhabitants (2,394 in 2021), spread across 7,588 hectares and twenty-eight hamlets.
Where to stay in Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier?
La Noccemada, in the hamlet of les Rouvières, offers a private lodge with jacuzzi for two and a suite for 2 to 4 guests, exclusively for adults, with a gastronomic dinner by the chef available on request.
Stay in the heart of Saint-Julien, in a private lodge reserved exclusively for adults.
Saint-Julien-le-Montagnier, a hilltop village in the Verdon
From 390€ / night
