The Massif des Maures ( [ma.sif de moʁ] , "plateau of the Moors ") is a small mountain range in southeastern France. It is located in the department of Var , near Fraxinet and between Hyères and Fréjus . Its highest point, at Signal de la Sauvette , is 780 m (2,559 ft) high.
12-562: Les Issambres ( French pronunciation: [lɛzisɑ̃bʁ(ə)] ) is a French village on the coastline along the Bay of Saint Tropez, between the Mediterranean and the wooded hills of the Massif des Maures . This seaside and holiday destination of the commune of Roquebrune-sur-Argens , France, stretches along eight kiliometers of inlets and fine sandy beaches. Its incarnation as a resort took place in
24-474: A dive center, and restaurants. A ferry ( Les Bateaux Verts ) takes passengers to the Sainte Maxime harbor or Saint Tropez . On August 15, 1944, the beaches of Saint Tropez, Sainte Maxime, and Les Issambres were at the center of Operation Dragoon , the invasion and liberation of Southern France during World War II . A US Delta Force from 93rd Evac landed there. Near the entrance to La Garonette beach
36-428: A fragrant essential oil . The flowers are white or tinged with pink, with five petals and many stamens that protrude from the flower. The fruit is an edible berry , blue-black when ripe. The essential oils derived from this plant have anti-proliferative and anti- quorum sensing properties, helping against food spoilage . The berries are also macerated in alcohol to make Mirto liqueur . This species and
48-658: Is a low mountain range about 56 km (35 mi) long and 16 km (10 mi) wide. Its highest point is 780 m (2,560 ft) high. It lies between the River Argens and the River Réal Martin to the north and the Mediterranean coast to the south, the River Durance to the west and the foothills of the Alps to the east, between Hyères and Fréjus. The winters are mild and the amounts of precipitation are low, especially in
60-459: Is a memorial to the landing, honoring US troops. The sailing center is named La Batterie , as it was the location of a German artillery battery . Further to the east is the village San-Peïre sur Mer, which has grown gradually since WW2. It is really a central destination for the area, with shops, restaurants, hotels, a promenade, village beach, and town square with a Monday outdoor market, as well as postal and tourist offices. Continuing eastwards
72-682: Is one of the last places in Europe where Hermann's tortoise can be found. Other reptiles include European green lizard , ocellated lizard , grass snake , adder and Aesculapian snake . In thick parts of the forest, wild boar are attracted by the acorns and chestnuts, while deer, badgers, foxes, squirrels and the occasional hare roam among the trees. Birds of prey include short-toed snake eagle , as well as Eurasian eagle-owl , tawny owl and little owl . 43°16′48″N 6°23′05″E / 43.2800°N 6.3847°E / 43.2800; 6.3847 Myrtus communis Myrtus communis ,
84-475: The common myrtle or true myrtle , is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae . It is an evergreen shrub native to southern Europe, North Africa , Western Asia , Macaronesia , and the Indian Subcontinent , and also cultivated . The plant is an evergreen shrub or small tree , growing to 5 metres (16 ft) tall. The leaves are 2–5 centimetres (1–2 in) long, with
96-513: The 1930s with the development of the Hotel La Résidence (now named Hôtel club Vacanciel des Issambres ) above La Garonette Beach . Clearly visible from the sea, it is located in the Val d' Esquieres , which Les Issambres shares with the commune of Sainte Maxime . Eastwards along the beach is a sailing center with boat rentals and a sailing school and protected boat harbor, with some marine shops,
108-504: The coastline winds with creeks, rocks, and "calanques" along Saint- Aygulf ( Fréjus commune). Among the numerous nature trails here, a coastal route leads to a 2,000-year-old Roman fishpond. Many private houses step up the hillsides—but virtually every building, including hotels, keeps a low profile, in contrast to the overbuilt heights in locations further east along the French Riviera . Massif des Maures The Massif des Maures
120-604: The highest points of the massif: the Signal de la Sauvette 780 m (2,559 ft) and Notre-Dame-des-Anges 767 m (2,516 ft) peaks. Further south, an intermediate ridge culminates at 648 m (2,126 ft) not far from the Chartreuse de la Verne. Finally, the coastal link reaches only 528 m (1,732 ft) above Cavalaire-sur-Mer . The massif is densely vegetated with an evergreen forest dominated by cork oak , holm oak , holly sweet chestnut and strawberry trees . On
132-408: The highest ridges Aleppo pine and stone pine flourish. Since the early 21st century, there have been more frequent destructive wildfires, but the cork oak is particularly resistant to these; the thick bark protects the trunk and new shoots grow from the blackened branches. Shrubs present on the forest floor include myrtle , juniper, boxwood, broom , heather, rosemary and Spanish lavender. This
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#1732868751965144-470: The summer when many of the streams run dry. The sides of the hills are steep, the soil is thin and there are few settlements; cultivated crops include grapes , citrus , olives , figs , mulberries and almonds . The detailed geography of the massif is complex; it is arranged along three main ridge lines, oriented west/southwest to east/northeast, the maximum altitudes of which decrease from north to south. The most northerly ridge carries at its western end
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