Callian is a charming village perched at an altitude of 325 meters, with winding streets around the feudal castle (12th-13th centuries), itself built on a rocky peak.
After being occupied by the Celto-Ligurians and then the Romans, Callian became an important market town in the Middle Ages, whose lands extended as far as La Napoule in the Alpes-Maritimes.
The various periods of history have left a legacy: a church with a quadrangular bell tower decorated with glazed tiles, chapels, a castle, and narrow streets typical of the medieval village, as well as numerous old and picturesque residences, many of which are several centuries old.
Callian also offers a stunning view of the Tanneron and Esterel mountain ranges.
A beautiful heritage site...
In Callian, you must see the medieval castle (privately owned) with its 12th and 13th century towers, the clock tower, and its little "Lucky Pig." Carved in stone, its maxim is: "O you who come from afar, if you rub my snout, surely, great good will be yours forever!"
Also worth seeing are the Chapelle des Pénitents, a 12th century Romanesque chapel, the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church and its glazed tile bell tower, whose apse is adorned with a monumental high altar lit by faithfully restored ancient stained-glass windows.
In Callian, you must also see the 13th century Saint-Donat chapel, the Notre-Dame-des-Roses chapel, and more.
Another attraction is the Château Goerg, home of the painter and engraver Edouard Goerg, now owned by the municipality of Callian. The artist and his wife are buried in the grounds of the property.
Not to be missed is the Cascade Fountain, inaugurated in 1874, on the church square.
This monumental Baroque fountain refreshes the church square while reducing the strong flow of water to redistribute it to the southern districts of the village.
Finally, it's worth stopping near the Saint-Roch Washhouse.
Numerous springs and wells supplied water to the castle and surrounding districts. In the 16th century, Callian, a prosperous town, supplemented its resources with water from the Gargatte spring.
In the 19th century, the restoration of the Roman canal and the water supply from the Siagnole River supplied the numerous newly built fountains in the village streets and the large washhouses known as Gacherelle and Saint-Roch.
Today, Callian benefits from the "Villages of Character of the Var" label, which recognizes and promotes its exceptional heritage.
This heritage and a most pleasant living environment have attracted numerous personalities such as Fernand Léger, Nadia Léger, Christian Dior, Edouard Goerg, Anthony Burgess, and Sister Emmanuelle.
Sister Emmanuelle, Christian Dior, and Nadia Léger are buried in the municipal cemetery.
Caillan Tourist Office
Château Goerg
83440 Callian
Tel.: +33 4 94 76 01 02
https://provence-alpes-cotedazur.com/decouvrir/villes/var/callian/
