About twenty minutes from Cotignac, the Sillans-la-Cascade waterfall plunges from a limestone cliff into a stunning emerald-green basin. A forty-two-metre drop, a Mediterranean forest setting, and a perched village ranked among the most beautiful in the Var. It's one of the most popular nature escapes for our guests staying in our villas, perfect for a half-day of freshness between two moments at the villa.
Here is everything you need to know to plan your visit: how to get there, what to expect on site, when to go, and the best practices to know before setting off.
The Sillans waterfall in a few words
The Sillans-la-Cascade waterfall is located in the Verdon Regional Nature Park, on the southern edge of the great canyon. It is formed by the Bresque river, which rises a few kilometres to the north and plunges here over a tuff limestone cliff into a deep emerald basin. The height of the fall is reported as being between 42 and 44 metres depending on the source, and its flow varies significantly throughout the seasons.
The village that gives the waterfall its name is itself a little gem. Sillans-la-Cascade has barely five hundred inhabitants, perched around its medieval castle, with cobbled lanes, a few art galleries and shaded terraces. When you visit the waterfall, you naturally extend the trip with a stroll through the village. The whole can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace in half a day from Cotignac, making it the ideal excursion for families staying in our villas in the Haut Var.
Important information 2026
The Var Departmental Council has launched landscaping works on the protected natural area of the waterfall. The site is closed to the public until 1 June 2026, when a new, safer and better-organised path will open to visitors. If you are staying in one of our villas before that date, we will be happy to guide you towards other remarkable natural sites in the surrounding area. Please feel free to ask us.
How to get to the waterfall from Cotignac
From Cotignac, allow around thirty minutes by road to reach Sillans-la-Cascade. The journey is short but charming. You take the D22 heading west, pass through a few hamlets and garrigue landscapes, and catch sight in the distance of the first foothills of the Canjuers plateau. It's a peaceful drive, perfect for a quiet morning.
Once there, two main car parks are available at the entrance to the village, on the west side (Cotignac, Barjols side). Parking is paid for in high season, expect around six euros for two hours. In July and August, spaces fill up quickly by late morning. We recommend arriving early, before ten o'clock, or in late afternoon to enjoy the golden light on the cliffs.
From the car park, a shaded and well-signposted path leads to the main viewpoint in fifteen to twenty-five minutes' walk depending on your pace. The path is accessible to children from five or six years old, and generally easy, with a few gently descending sections. Pack sturdy closed shoes, especially after rain.FR :
For those who prefer not to drive or who are travelling in a large group in our villas, our concierge service can arrange private shuttles from your place of stay, with our nine-seater VITO and a driver who knows the roads of the Haut Var inside out. A comfortable solution, especially in high season when parking becomes complicated.
What to see and do on site
The main viewpoint
This is the most spectacular observation point over the waterfall. Laid out on the left bank, it offers a plunging view over the waterfall and the emerald basin stretching below. The contrast between the white of the falling water, the deep green of the lagoon and the ochre of the limestone is striking. This is where the most beautiful photos are taken. Allow fifteen to twenty minutes to enjoy the panorama and watch the play of reflections depending on the time of day.
The path along the Bresque river
Below the viewpoint, a path follows the Bresque river for a few hundred metres. This is where you discover the small natural pools formed by the limestone, the translucent waters where light dances, and the wilder stretches where vegetation reclaims its place. Swimming has been forbidden in the main basin below the waterfall for several years now, to preserve the site and protect visitors from the risk of rockfalls. However, further downstream along the river, some pools allow you to cool your feet on hot days.
The village of Sillans-la-Cascade
Before or after the waterfall, take time to wander through the village. The cobbled lanes, the medieval castle, the café terraces and the artisan shops make for a natural complement to the visit. Several restaurants serve refined Provençal cuisine at reasonable prices. It's the perfect opportunity for a lunch break in the shade of the plane trees before returning to your villa.
The best time to visit
The Sillans waterfall can be visited all year round, but each season offers a different atmosphere.
In spring, from April to June, the waterfall is at its peak after the rains. It is then particularly spectacular, the water roars, and the spray cools the viewpoint. This is the favourite period for photographers and lovers of wild nature. Temperatures are mild and visitor numbers remain reasonable. It's probably the best compromise.
In summer, from July to mid-September, the waterfall remains beautiful but the flow gradually diminishes. The coolness of the undergrowth and the lagoon then becomes a precious refuge from the Provençal heat. Beware, however, of the crowds, which can be significant between eleven and four o'clock. Prefer early morning or late afternoon.
In autumn, from October to November, the first rains bring the waterfall back to life. The colours of the foliage, the low light and the restored tranquillity of the village make it an ideal season for lovers of walking and photography.
In winter, from December to March, the waterfall takes on a more dramatic appearance, sometimes partially frozen during cold spells. Visitors are rare, and the village regains its authentic village peace. A winter visit often holds the most beautiful surprises.
Our practical tips for a successful visit
Here are the recommendations we share with our guests staying in our villas, based on the experience of many guided excursions.
Arriving early in high season remains the best strategy to enjoy the site in peace and find a parking space without difficulty. Allow two to three hours on site, including the stroll through the village and a coffee on a terrace.
Bring water, especially in summer, as there is no drinking fountain along the path. Sturdy closed shoes are essential, particularly after rain when the rocky sections can be slippery.
Swimming in the main basin is strictly forbidden and is regularly monitored. This is a non-negotiable rule, which protects both the fragile ecosystem and the safety of visitors. To cool off, the river downstream offers safe and equally enjoyable options.
With children, the path is accessible from five or six years old for the most active walkers. Hold their hand at the viewpoint, where the railing is secured but where the drop remains impressive. Picnics are allowed in the designated areas of the village, but not along the path or at the foot of the waterfall.
Combining the waterfall with other sites in the Haut Var
Sillans-la-Cascade is ideally located to be combined with other gems of the Haut Var. Here are a few itinerary suggestions that work well from our villas.
Morning at the waterfall, lunch in Cotignac on the shaded village square, then an afternoon dedicated to discovering the AOC Côtes de Provence vineyards in the surrounding area. A full day, balanced between nature, gastronomy and terroir.
For a more adventurous day, you can combine Sillans in the morning withl the Gorges du Verdon in the afternoon, heading up via Aups and then Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Allow a full day, but the contrast between the intimate waterfall and the immensity of the canyon is well worth the detour.
Another option: combine Sillans with Tourtour, one of the most beautiful perched villages in the Var, only twenty minutes away. You'll find superb viewpoints, artisan galleries and several fine restaurants to round off the day.
Staying in Cotignac, the ideal starting point to discover Sillans
Cotignac offers the major advantage for anyone wanting to explore the Haut Var without enduring the overcrowding of villages located directly at the major tourist sites. You enjoy the feel of a village ranked among the Most Beautiful in the Var, with its tuff rock and Saracen towers, and you return in the evening to a peaceful villa where you'll more easily find an open table for dinner.
Our villas Maison La Clé, Maison La Source, Maison Provence and Maison Lou Benventa are all located less than thirty minutes from the waterfall. They offer private pools, shaded spaces and all the comfort expected to rest after a day of exploration. For larger groups, Maison La Clé can accommodate up to sixteen guests.
Our concierge can also arrange your excursion: return shuttle, gourmet picnic basket prepared by our local partners, suggestions for nearby restaurants, and even the booking of a wine tasting in the evening at the villa to round off the day gently.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
No, swimming has been strictly forbidden in the main basin below the waterfall for several years. This ban protects the fragile ecosystem of the site and the safety of visitors from the risks of collapse and falling rocks. The rule is regularly monitored. However, further downstream along the Bresque river, some natural pools allow you to cool your feet on hot days.
Allow around thirty minutes by road between Cotignac and the village of Sillans-la-Cascade, taking the D22 heading west. Once there, the walk from the car park to the viewpoint takes fifteen to twenty-five minutes depending on your pace. For the full visit including the return to the car, allow at least two hours on site, three if you wish to extend the trip with a stroll through the village.
Usually yes, but in 2026 the site is closed for landscaping works until 1 June. The Var Departmental Council is reorganising the paths and viewpoints to better preserve the site against high visitor numbers. The reopening is planned with a new, secured trail. Once reopened, the waterfall can be visited in any season, each offering a different atmosphere: maximum flow in spring, the coolness of the undergrowth in summer, blazing colours in autumn, and calm and minerality in winter.
Access to the path and the viewpoint is free. However, parking is paid for in high season — expect around six euros for two hours at the Remparts car parks at the entrance to the village. Outside high season, parking generally remains free or at a reduced rate.
Yes, the main path leading to the viewpoint is accessible to families with children from five or six years old for the most active walkers. The path is shaded, well-signposted and gently sloping. Pack sturdy closed shoes, as some sections can be slippery after rain. At the viewpoint, the railing is secured but the drop remains impressive — hold young children by the hand. For pushchairs, access is difficult, a baby carrier is a better option.
Organise your excursion to the Sillans waterfall
Our concierge knows the trails, the best time slots and the right practices to make the most of the Sillans-la-Cascade waterfall from your villa in Cotignac.
Personalised itinerary, private shuttle with chauffeur, gourmet picnic basket, tailored support: we organise your day so that all you have to do is enjoy the moment.