Barjols belongs to La Provence Verte (Green Provence), a group of communities whose picturesque ancient villages are steeped in history.

History
Although the town of Barjols still manufactures wooden musical instruments, its main industry for over two hundred years was leather tanning. This accounts for the unusually high number of fountains and wash-basins scattered throughout the town.
The site in which Barjols sits today was successively occupied by the Ligures and the Romans in the 1100s. From around the 14th century it was incorporated into Provence but until the 16th century religious wars and plagues ravaged the towns and caused general misery among the inhabitants. In later years, however, the leather industry came to flourish and the town became an invaluable asset to the region's economy.

The making of traditional Provençal musical instruments in Barjols is credited largely to Marius Fabre, who was born in Barjols in 1909 and is famous for creating the vertical wooden flute (or galoubet) in 1924. He is widely hailed for contributing to the revival of the region's traditional music.

The ruins of the chateau in the Réal quarter date back to the 13th century but little is known about the building and its eerie dungeons, except that it was once occupied by the Count of Provence in 1278.

The unusual Festival of St Marcel (a 5th century bishop) takes place in January each year to celebrate the survival of a violent siege that took place around 1350. Locals in medieval costume parade through the old town playing wooden flutes and tambourines. People sing and light bonfires while they watch the bust of their adopted patron saint carried in the procession. The next day, after High Mass, the statue is carried to the main square and an ox is roasted whole. More music and dancing are followed by the distribution of the cooked ox meat on the third day of the festivities.

Must-dos in Barjols

Barjols is well known for its fountains. The most impressive are those shaped like trees and mushrooms, having been formed by years of limestone encrustation. The water drips down from the sides and, despite the smell of natural mildew and green moss, it's very pleasant to listen to.

Among the many fountains on the two-hour tour are the green tree-shaped Fontaine Raynouard, which stands in the town car park, the simple stone Fontaine du Réal, found in the oldest tannery part of town called the Réal district, and the striking Chutes du Réal, the moss-covered waterfall near the watermills. There are some steps to climb here, but it's well worth the effort to understand the water works at each level of the tanning process.

The most remarkable fountain or the "Champignon" sits just in front of the town hall. The adjacent Hostellerie des Trois Fontaines, a family-owned inn with al-fresco restaurant seating, has reasonably-priced lunch menus (including lunch specials like couscous royale for 15 euros). The juicy whole breast of duck in honey sauce with superb potatoes dauphinoise is a real treat at 18 euros. A good place for a coffee and people watching is the nearby Café de L'Europe.

Just a short walk uphill from the Réal quarter is La collégiale Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, a Romanesque structure rebuilt in the 16th century. On its right is a stunning example of stone iconography, with a sitting Christ surrounded by angels and symbols of evangelists.

The outdoor market, a small but typical marché provençal, displays produce and flowers on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in the square. There is also a leather market (fair) which takes place annually in August.

More information can be found at Barjol's tourist office, they do not have a website but you can Email them.
Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 77 20 01
Other websites:
Maison du Tourisme de la Provence Verte
Communauté de communes Provence d'Argens en Verdon

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