Vars Sainte-Catherine

This south-facing hamlet is the highest of the three mountain villages. Known in the past as “la Fortune” because Sainte Catherine benefits from exceptional sunshine, the village’s location is a real attraction. It is said that Vars Sainte Catherine is the old granary of Vars, as it is still the village with the most arable and cultivated fields. Hay, rye, hemp, oats and vegetables (cabbage, potatoes, etc.).

The Balcony of Vars

Choosing Sainte Catherine for your holiday means treating yourself toone of the most beautiful balconies in Vars, with the Crêtes de l’Eyssina on one side – the true backdrop to the Vars destination – and the Ecrins massif on the other, rising to over 4,000 metres. Thanks to its south-west-facing aspect – a real treat for sunset lovers – you’ll be among the lucky few to enjoy the setting sun.

The narrow, steep alleyways known as ‘charrières’ in this mountainside village allow you, as you wander, to discover the treasures that the most curious will uncover: the sundials bear witness to the strong bond the inhabitants had with the sun, which served as a natural clock for them; these sundials, painted on the walls of the farmhouses, were often accompanied by moralistic sayings full of wisdom.

You can see the magnificent traditional balconies made of larch wood running along all the facades, and the gruates (pulleys used to hold the haystacks).
The communal oven used to bake bread backs onto one of the village wash-houses, a handy place to get water when baking bread. It is lit twice a year in July and August to perpetuate the tradition of bread-making at village festivals.