Ampus is situated on a hilltop above the Nartuby Gorge. The village is a stop on the Villages de Caractère du Var tourist route and also on the Monastères du Var cultural route.
Those choosing Ampus as a holiday destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment there.
Culture and History
The Chapelle Notre-Dame de Spéluque in Ampus dates back to the 10th century. It is classified as a historic monument (“Monument historique”); the classification was made by decree on 26 June 1990.
The Église Saint-Michel d’Ampus was originally the chapel of the feudal castle and was then dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. In 1728 and 1762, it successively acquired two additional naves.
The Oppidum de l’Englugi in Ampus is believed to have formed a veritable town during the Celto-Ligurian period. The Dolmen de Marencq bears witness to the presence of a community in the surrounding area for more than 4,000 years; a restoration carried out by Jean Courtin returned it to its original architectural form.
The voie Aurélienne, a Roman road between Fréjus and Riez dating from the Gallo-Roman period, is still visible between the districts of Le Bosquet and La Grange in Ampus. In some sections, it is 6 metres wide; on the slope between Olves and Ste-Anne d’Ampus, it is cut into the hillside and supported by a dry-stone wall. Ampus is also situated on a branch route of the Via Aurelia between Fréjus and Riez.
Paths and Landscape
The Chemin de Croix d’Ampus comprises 14 glazed stations set into the rock. Geoff Hindry created it on the site of the former feudal castle; the path leads to the grotto. The Chemin de croix et point de vue is accessible every day all year round.
The Chemin de l’eau brings the use of the 500-year-old Fontigon canal to life. Every year during transhumance, large flocks of sheep pass through Ampus along the “drailles”.
Other places: Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume, Saint-Paul-En-Forêt, Auribeau-Sur-Siagne, Baudinard-Sur-Verdon, Tavernes, Saint-Martin, Belgentier, Aups
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