Sainte Brigitte chapel in Vidauban
Natural and cultural site
35 min
chapel
This chapel is built on a hill which offers a remarkable panorama of the Massif des Maures, the Argens Valley and of course Vidauban. The hill only rises 130 meters above the plain, but it stands alone in this vast space.
It honors a certain Brigitte of Sweden who lived in the 14th century and who became a nun with strong political connotations after having eight children. She resides in Rome and undertakes many pilgrimages. It is said that she also went to Santiago de Compostela while passing through Provence, although this trip is in no way documented.
The chapel is dated from the 17th century. It has a single nave and is supported by buttresses.
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id1691)
Station of the Cross with Jesus falling the third time
Access by public transport
Bus lines 828 (Les Arcs to Toulon), 845 (Brignoles to Draguignan) and 09 (Draguignan to Vidauban) serve the Place Clémenceau stop in Vidauban. See Zou! (only french) for schedules.
The path to follow is indicated in purple on the map.
From the bus stop, we cross the main square diagonally to take the small Rue du 11 Novembre. Then right, left and right again to continue in Rue Albert 1er.
Continue straight to cross the railway and the expressway on a bridge. We are on Chemin du Pommier which we continue straight ahead.
At the next small roundabout, turn right onto Chemin de Sainte-Brigitte.
Access by car
We are north of the A8 motorway between Saint-Raphaël and Saint Maximin. Take Le Muy exit coming from Saint-Raphaël and continue to the roundabout at the eastern entrance to Vidauban on the DN7 road. Take the exit towards the city center.
Coming from the west, choose the Cannet-des-Maures exit and follow the signs to Vidauban. At the roundabout, take the town bypass and the signs to Le Muy. At the next roundabout, we make a U-turn to enter the center from the east.
From both directions, you pass the supermarket and its car park.
Immediately after turn left onto Boulevard des Vallons and follow the signs to the crematorium. This portion is indicated in burgundy red on the map.
Pass under the expressway and immediately next turn right. Continue straight until you have to turn left into Chemin du Pommier. At the next small roundabout, turn right onto Chemin de Sainte-Brigitte.
Continue this small road to the foot of the hill where there is a free car park dedicated to the chapel. See above for access on foot.
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id479)
Restanque under the Sainte Brigitte chapel
Access by short walk
The access path is a forest track and also a way of the cross that twists clockwise around the hill. When we have almost made a complete turn, we have stairs on the right to go up more quickly.
We arrive from the east at the chapel. A bench allows you to rest.
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id6759)
Stair to the Sainte Brigitte chapel
There are two marble orientation plaques around the chapel.
To the east rises the Castellas des Arcs and beyond that the Rocher de Roquebrune.
To the south, La Garde Freinet and Notre-Dame des Anges in the forests of the Massif des Maures.
To the west, the plain stretches between the Massif des Maures to the south and the Verdon plateau to the north.
To the north, the Tower of Taradeau, Lorgues and, further away, the Pic du Lachens, the highest peak in the Var.
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id6775)
Sainte Brigitte chapel
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id6776)
Sainte Brigitte chapel nave
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id6777)
Panorama of the northeast from the Chapelle Ste. Brigitte
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id6778)
View of Vidauban from the Sainte Brigitte chapel