Waterfall Le Saut du Capelan on Nartuby river
Natural and cultural site
10 min
view point
The Département Var is not too well known for its waterfalls, yet there are several such as those of Cotignac or in Villecroze.
La Nartuby creek, in the hinterland near Draguignan, even has several along its route, such as in the village center of Trans-en-Provence. A little further downstream, in open countryside in vineyards, is the Saut du Capelan.
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id6771)
Saut du Capelan waterfall
Access by public transport
Line 13 of the network tedBus (only french) certainly links La Motte to Le Muy and Lorgues, but it is above all a school route.
If you arrive anyway by bus, follow the violet line on the map.
Go right on Avenue Rouvier, go straight on at the next crossing on the stairs of Chemin des Horts, go north and later left on Rue des Îles.
Then follow the arrows towards Les Faïsses on the left, then immediately afterwards on the right. The road is then no longer paved. Follow its course passing near a farm and between the vines. Continue on this agricultural track without forking.
Access by car
We are north of the A8 motorway between Saint-Raphaël and St. Maximin. We ideally take the Le Muy exit and first take the direction of Draguignan and follow the signs towards La Motte. You cannot cross the center in this direction, you have to go around it counterclockwise. Take the direction of the center when you are on the D47.
Pass the car parks, the church and continue in a straight line. You pass the war memorial on the left and it is at the next intersection that you have to turn left into the very narrow Rue des Îles. This route is in burgundy red on the map.
Turn right at the junction with Chemin des Horts. Then follow the arrows towards Les Faïsses on the left, then immediately afterwards on the right. The road is then no longer paved. Follow its course passing near a farm and between the vines. Continue on this agricultural track without forking.
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id6769)
Path to Saut du Capelan waterfall
We arrive at a kind of car park with a makeshift but open fence.
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id6770)
Saut du Capelan car park
The car park is at the same time the belvedere on the waterfall which flows here in a cirque that the river has itself dug.
The Provençal word Capelan pejoratively designates a priest. The local priest is said to have been a womanizing priest. Pursued by many cuckold husbands, he would have thrown himself into the waterfall. This legend is undoubtedly a pipe dream of the said husbands.
A story of a treasure hidden under the waterfall during the medieval troubles is also available.
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id6773)
Saut du Capelan cuts
The waterfall could be stronger, part of the water from the Nartuby is withdrawn just upstream of the waterfall.
The site is visible by going up and then turning left. A fence, however, keeps people at a distance.
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id6774)
Water intake upstream from Saut du Capelan waterfall
No reproduction is permitted without the written consent of the author. (id6772)
Saut du Capelan waterfall