Bargème, Medieval commune in Var, France
Bargème is a medieval commune in Var, southeastern France, perched at elevations between roughly 800 and 1,600 meters (2,600 and 5,200 feet). The village clusters around stone buildings and defensive structures arranged across the hillside terrain.
The settlement dates to the medieval period and was founded at this elevated position to maintain strategic control over the surrounding region. The remaining defensive structures and preserved buildings reflect this role from earlier centuries.
The village holds recognition as one of the most beautiful villages of France, with traditional Provençal architecture featuring narrow streets and stone houses. This preservation allows visitors to experience the rural character that has defined the region for generations.
The village is only reachable by car since public transportation does not serve this remote mountain location. Driving requires caution on the narrow, winding roads, and visitors should allow time for the journey from the nearest larger towns.
In the 1940s, an English social worker established a children's recovery home here and later documented the experience in a book about the village. This lesser-known chapter adds depth to the site's modern history and shows how it has served different purposes beyond its medieval role.
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