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 to one of the most beautiful balconies in Vars, with, on one side, the Crêtes de l’Eyssina, the real backdrop to Vars, and on the other, the Ecrins massif, which rises to an altitude of over 4,000m. You’ll be the last to enjoy the warmth of the sunset, thanks to the south-west exposure, perfect for sunset lovers.

The narrow, steep lanes known as “charrières” in this mountainside village are the perfect place to discover the treasures that the most inquisitive visitors will be able to unveil: the sundials bear witness to the very strong relationship that the inhabitants had with the sun, a veritable natural clock for them, whose illustration on the walls of farmhouses was often accompanied by moralist 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.