Nestling in the heart of Provence (France), Draguignan is a town that combines medieval charm with cultural treasures. Nicknamed ” the city of the Dragon “, this destination offers much more than a simple trip back in time: it invites you to stroll through its picturesque streets, savour the local cuisine and visit its museums.
Whether you’re a lover of heritage, curious about crafts or looking for some southern sunshine, let us guide you through Draguignan’s must-sees for a weekend cultural getaway.
This article was produced in collaboration with the City of Draguignan. The opinions and suggestions for activities in this article are therefore entirely sincere.
Summary
Draguignan in short
When should you go?
All year round, depending on the atmosphere you’re looking for: in summer, you can enjoy the warmth of the South; in winter, you can discover the atmosphere of the Christmas festivities; in autumn or spring, the weather is milder.
How do I get around?
Draguignan is a human-sized town that can easily be explored on foot, so there’s no need to bring a car unless you want to explore other parts of the region.
How long should I stay?
Two days is enough to visit Draguignan’s cultural attractions without rushing. It’s the perfect destination for a weekend getaway.
How much does it cost?
This is not a destination that will break the bank. If you plan ahead, you’ll find cheap train tickets (€100 return from Paris) and accommodation for around €100 a night for two people, including breakfast. Most cultural visits are free of charge.
A dragon in Draguignan?!
According to legend, many centuries ago, a monstrous creature haunted the area around Draguignan. This dragon, or ” drac ” as it was nicknamed in the region, was a fearsome beast: immense, covered in scales and equipped with gigantic wings, it spat water and destroyed everything in its path. It spread terror among the inhabitants, ravaging crops and herds, and had no qualms about attacking unwary travellers.
One day, Saint Hermentaire, bishop of Antibes, arrived to save the population Armed with his faith and a spear, he managed to defeat the dragon and free Draguignan from its yoke.
It is from this legend, which symbolises the struggle between good and evil, that the name Draguignan, sometimes nicknamed “Dragon city”, is said to derive. Beyond this history, the town has kept traces of this heritage in its traditions and heritage. Sculptures, coats of arms and old stories recall this legend, maintaining a strong link with this fantastic story.
What to do in Draguignan ?
Explore the city center
Start your discovery of the town by strolling through the historic centre. With its colourful houses and pedestrianised streets, the center of Draguignan is a delight to wander through. Don’t miss the Place du Marché, where the town takes on the feel of a large village, especially on market day!
Go up the Clock Tower
After strolling through the town centre, get some height ! Head for the Tour de l’Horloge, a monument that dominates the town, built in 1662 in place of a 15th-century keep destroyed on Mazarin’s orders. From up there, you’ll have a 360-degree view of the whole region, a must-do visit especially as it’s free.
The tower is only open during the summer, but it is possible to visit it out of season by making a request at the Chapelle de l’Observance.
Montée de l’Horloge
From 1 July to 31 August, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 6pm. Outside these periods, it can be visited by appointment
0494845431
Free admission
Visit the fine arts museum
You can’t come to Draguignan without visiting the fine arts museum. Reopened a year ago after several years of renovation, it’s a brand new museum that welcomes you with collections ranging from the 17thth to the 20thth century. Among the masterpieces on display are the armour of François de Montmorency (16the century) and the panoramic wallpaper with Chinese decor from the early 19the century, which has been fully restored.
He who thought he was caught was caught!
When you visit the museum, stop in front of the painting “Young Man with a Soap Bubble”. In 1999 it was stolen by an admirer who, overcome with remorse, returned it in 2014. This theft had become a real burden for him, as no-one in his entourage was aware of the painting’s existence. Now paranoid, the thief was anxious every time he visited. The young man in the painting had played quite a prank on him!
Exhibitions not to be missed
The Musée des Beaux-Arts in Draguignan organises major exhibitions every year. As I write this article and until 23 March 2025, you will be able to see ” Passion Renaissance “ which explores the way in which artists of the 19e century looked at the life and work of some of the great Renaissance Masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Raphael and Michelangelo.
9 rue de la République
Every day except Tues, 10am to 6pm
€6 / €4 for over-65s / free for under-26s
https://mba-draguignan.fr/
Go and see the Chapelle de l’Observance
This 16th century chapel is a vestige of the convent of the Friars Minor of the Regular Observance. After the Revolution, it became a cork factory and then a bus garage ! Bought by the town in 1992, it was completely restored to give it a new lease of life by transforming it into an art centre.
Today, the Chapelle de l’Observance presents a number of free exhibitions throughout the year. At the time of my visit – and until 25 January 2025 – it was the Rose Selavy Collective of artists and graffiti artists who took over the premises with their exhibition “Polis “.
2-86 Mnt du Rigoulier
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm from 15 September to 14 June and 10am to 6pm from 15 June to 14 September
0494845431
Free admission
Entering Saint-Michel church
This is a particularly unusual church. If you go inside, you’ll probably be surprised when you look up: the vault has been removed! This oddity was not caused by a fire, but by the weight of the church, which was gradually sinking into the ground. So the structure had to be lightened by sacrificing the vault, giving it this unusual architecture.
Place de la Paroisse
Every day from 8am to 6.30pm
Free admission
Visit the Musée des Arts et Traditions Populaires
I fell in love with this museum, which you absolutely must visit ! As its name suggests, it retraces the life of the people of the Var region by showcasing various machines and tools used in days gone by. From shoemaking to the lives of shepherds, from the manufacture of corks and olive oil to the cultivation of silkworms, this visit is a real journey back in time, and a fascinating one for young and old alike.
75 place Georges Brassens
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5.30pm
€3.5, free for under-19s
Take a look at the Artothèque
Just next door to the Musée des Arts et des Traditions Populaires is an artothèque housed in the Chapelle du bon Pasteur. This art library enables local residents to hire works of art free of charge to hang in their homes. An original initiative to make contemporary art accessible to all. In addition to this lending activity, the artothèque also presents small exhibitions of works available in its collections, that’s well worth a look!
18 rue Joseph Roumanille
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 12.15pm and 2pm to 5.15pm
Free admission
Enter the executioner’s house
Brrr here’s an activity that doesn’t look very welcoming ! However, a visit to this house is fascinating. This house, built in 1849, was home to the executioner and his family at a time when the guillotine was cutting off the heads of criminals. In fact, take a good look at the façade of this house : under the left-hand window is the site of an old trapdoor from which the guillotine came out, because it was in front of this house that executions took place in Draguignan from the 16the to the 18the century. Today, there is a small museum looking back at the history of justice.
2 Montée de l’Horloge
Tuesday to Saturday
From 15 June to 15 September, from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 6pm
From 16 September to 31 October and from 1 April to 14 June from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5pm
From 16 September to 31 October and from 1 April to 14 June from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5pm
Closed from 1 November to 31 March but open by appointment
0494845431
Free admission
Visit the chapel of Saint Sauveur
This 12th-century chapel was part of a castle belonging to the knights of the Order of Malta. Over the centuries it has had several functions : prison or even powder magazine. Today, it houses a permanent exhibition of works by Danielle Jacqui, known as Celle qui peint, an emblematic artist of art brut.
Place de l’Observance
Access by appointment Tuesday to Saturday
0494845431
Free admission
See the Dolmen de la Pierre de la Fée
Around twenty minutes’ walk from the town centre stands a dolmen dating back to 2500 BC ! With its 60 tonnes and height of 2 metres, it is one of the most imposing dolmens in Provence.
According to legend, it was built to house a love story between a fairy and a genie. It is also said that women who were unable to have children came here to visit the fairy Esterelle, who helped them become pregnant.
Avenue de Montferrat
Free access all year round
Good addresses in Draguignan
Where to stay in Draguignan ?
Enter the dates of your stay to see the accommodation available and their rates:
Affiliated links
I highly recommend the Hotel Provence where I stayed. The rooms are simple but clean and pleasant. I particularly liked the hotel staff, everyone was warm and welcoming. As for breakfast, you’ll find a wide choice of products, including bread and pastries from the local baker.
Where to eat in Draguignan ?
Here are a few restaurant addresses:
Le Saint-Pierre
A pleasant restaurant serving mainly seafood (seafood or fish) but also Provençal specialities.
30 rue de la République
Monday to Saturday, 11am to 2pm and 7pm to 10pm
https://www.le-saint-pierre-draguignan.fr/
Les Trois Garçons
A brasserie with an à la carte menu of refined French cuisine in a friendly atmosphere. You’ll also find a Spanish tapas bar and a wine cellar.
10 Boulevard du Maréchal Joffre
Every day, 9am to 11pm
https://www.les-trois-garcons.com/
Pulpe
A wine cellar offering a wide range of organic and natural wines with homemade cuisine.
3 Boulevard Georges Clemenceau
Tuesdays from 10:30am to 2pm and Wednesday to Saturday, from 10:30am to 2pm and from 7pm to 11pm
https://sites.google.com/view/pulpedraguignan/
O ViniVini
For lovers of world cuisine, this Polynesian restaurant concocts 100% homemade dishes – even the bread is baked on site! The menu changes regularly depending on what’s in season. A children’s menu is also available, with a small-portion dish.
9 rue Frédéric Mireur
Tuesday to Saturday 12 noon to 2pm and Thursday to Saturday 7pm to 9pm
https://ovinivini.com/
Kant’in
An Asian-influenced restaurant with Thai, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese touches created by lovers of travel and gastronomy. An address where you can go for lunch or dinner but also for a gourmet break with a wide choice of drinks and sweets.
11 rue Frédéric Mireur
Tuesday to Saturday lunchtime and Thursday to Saturday evening
https://restaurantkantin.com/
Les Kalli’s
Located on the Place du Marché, this restaurant serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine made with local produce. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, you’ll also find a brunch option.
24 place du marché
Monday to Saturday 9am to 3pm and Fridays and Saturdays 7pm to 10pm
https://restaurants.sugg1144.com/restaurant/les-kallis-restaurant-brunch-a-draguignan.html
Interactive map
Find all the addresses mentioned in this article on this map:
Happy holidays in Draguignan!
Article produced in collaboration with the City of Draguignan.
All photographs illustrating this article are the property of Culturez-vous and may not be used without written permission.
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