Callas Provence-Beyond (Beyond the French Riviera) ® Var (83830) Population: 1300 Altitude: 398 m Nearby: [ Bargemon | Claviers | Draguignan (16 km) | Figanières ] Photos: larger view of the village Below: [ History | Camping-Nudism | Hiking ] The village is perched on a sharp ridge, with the ruins of the old 13th-century chateau, including walls and donjon, lurking above, although more visible approaching the village than from within. A beautiful old Mairie in the center has a 1623 lookout belltower (beffroi) with its rather plain wrought-iron belfry (campanile de fer forgé). Sitting even higher, the Notre Dame church is the most prominent building in the village, its white-stone bell tower and high pointed peak visible above everything else. With a population of around 1300, Callas is large enough to spread up the hillside, with many squares and even more fountains. The medieval streets are sometimes wide, stone step-streets and sometimes narrow, arched passages beneath the buildings. A more modern, bright touch, is the dark-lavender color of the street lamps and trash bins, the later in the shape of small amphorae were made by a local artisan. There is also a health club gym, rare in the Beyond region villages. A railroad used to run through Callas, and the old tunnel passes through the hill beneath the center of the village. The entrance to this long tunnel is mostly covered by a curtain of hanging ivy, giving the it a prehistoric look. Just below the village is an ancient olive mill (moulin à huile) that now doubles as a gift shop. In addition to olive oil, you can find olive-wood items and pottery. The old water wheel is no longer working, but the metal frame is nicely painted and the old wooden slats are still in place. Name First record, 1030: Calars History Roman: An important Gallo-Roman establishment was located at the Trinité area at the western edge of the village. A villa and a ruined temple ("petit sanctuaire"), with pottery, inscription and a makeup box. The only Roman mausoleum in a wide area is under the villa. Other Roman-era churches, chapels and ruins are located all around this area. Medieval: part of the fief of the Pontevès family during the 15th and 16th centuries. The commune purchased the village in 1579, after Jean-Baptiste de Pontevès was killed by the population. It then became a royal village. Dates, Numbers St. Ampile fête: 1st Sunday in May Pennafort Celebration: Foire Artisanale: 15 August St. Laurent - Village Fête: 3rd weekend in August Mairie - tel: (33) 494 76 61 07; 94 76 60 23; fax: (33) 494 47 83 29 Camping - Nudism Hiking Maps: IGN "bleue" (1:25,000) 3543 ouest "seillans" Didier Richard (1:50,000) #25 "Maures; Haut-Pays Varois" One trail goes to the east out into the Forêt de l'Hubac. To the north, a trail goes up onto the Beaudron, where there are several loop possibilities towards the villages of Montferrat and Châteaudouble. An oppidum overlooks Callas from the northwest at 832 m. Directly to the south and southwest, the land is too built-up for good hiking trails, but there are a lot of small country roads winding through the hills and valleys, and the scenery is beautiful. About 8 km southeast, along the D25 road, the Gorges de Pennafort borders the Fôret du Rouet, with many hiking trails, including the GR51 (Grande Randonée). The Gorges de Pennafort is a deep canyon in the forest, with rocks and waterfalls.