"Les Trésors du Sud" label

unveiling the small-scale rural heritage of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

Ancient washhouses, dovecots, olive oil mills and chapels… Tucked away along secret little lanes, these beautiful old stone constructions form a living heritage that continues to uphold the region’s memory and embody our time-honoured identity and know-how. Promising an enchanting plunge into history, the “Trésors du Sud” (Treasures of the South) label invites visitors to explore the small-scale rural heritage of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

Rédigé par Audrey Salor

Published on 25 July 2026

Cultural heritage

Discover churches, chapels, oratories and wayside crosses dating back centuries

From high Alpine valleys to the mountainous relief of Mercantour, the Alpilles massif and Var hinterland, the small-scale religious heritage of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur stands witness to ancient spiritual traditions that have crossed the ages and carved out the region’s landscapes. Steadfast guardians of the land, these ancient constructions have defied the passage of time. In Lauzet-Ubaye, old chapels have been standing guard over the hamlets of l’Adret since the 19th century. The chapel of Vaunières in Saint-Julien-en-Beauchêne was built as far back as 1682. Respectively located in Signes and Mollégès, the chapels of Châteauvieux and Saint-Thomas were erected as far back as the 10th and 11th centuries. Places of prayer and worship, these magnificent old buildings were also local meeting places, pacing the everyday life of villagers. In Suzette, for example, the first municipal council was elected at the church in 1792 as no town hall existed at the time. Other constructions are set against spectacular backdrops: don’t miss a visit to Notre-Dame de la Menour chapel in Moulinet, clinging to a rocky outcrop overlooking Bévéra gorge.

The beating heart of the village

Honouring togetherness

In addition to religious heritage, the “Trésors du Sud” label distinguishes building restoration projects such as that of Tour Saint-Martin and its adjacent chapel in Allons, in the Verdon area – a former lookout post standing guard over the valleys – designed to renew social ties. Everyday meeting places for locals in days gone by, our ancient stone ovens and washhouses formed the beating heart of village life. In Saint-Jurs, also in the Verdon area, the village washhouse has now been refilled with water and the bread oven restored to honour the memory of olden days. In Sault, the “Route des lavoirs saltésiens” tells the fascinating story of the central role of water in everyday life in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In Salon-de-Provence, the ancient “four à cade” is a must-see massive dry stone structure that was formerly used to extract cade oil. Other places, such as “Les Six Cabanes”archaeological site in Saint-Maurice-en-Valgaudemar, or the “Rucher Fortifié de la Roya” (fortified beehive) in Tende, continue to fly the flag of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur’s rural village traditions.

Heartfelt

Celebrating unique and little-known small-scale heritage

Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur’s small-scale rural heritage continues to uphold precious ancient know-how, such as lavender essential oil extraction at the Distillerie de La Rochegiron in Haute-Provence and sweet chestnut growing at the Châtaigneraie d’Isola chestnut grove in La Grange, in the valley of La Tinée. Or the transformation of gypsum into plaster in the ancient plaster kiln in Pernes-les-Fontaines, in the historic Comtat Venaissin area. Other sites, such as the Amat family chapel in Le Poët in the Hautes-Alpes, formerly used to celebrate the Virgin Mary, continue to tell the story of village traditions. “Les Trésors du Sud” also spans remarkable architectural works including the central washhouse of Maussane-les-Alpilles: its unique design by Louis Astruc allowed washerwomen to work standing up. Last but not least, the label promises some delightfully unexpected discoveries, such as Ferme de la Grande Forêt in Aiguines, where part of the farm buildings is reserved for a bat colony!

The “Trésors du Sud” label

Recognising, promoting and protecting the region’s small-scale rural heritage

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Regional Council has been actively preserving the region’s small-scale rural heritage since 2016. In the last decade, 253 restoration projects have breathed new life into our rural chapels, churches, wayside crosses, oratories, washhouses, fountains, waterwheels and ponds. Ancient mills, huts and other dry-stone constructions, as well as plaster kilns, cade ovens and bread ovens, have enjoyed a facelift too. Committed to pursuing its efforts, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Regional Council created “Les Trésors du Sud” in 2026: a label rewarding the men and women who continue to keep our small-scale rural heritage alive and remain loyal to the region’s ancient roots.