Lorgues (First Record: 986 Lonicus and 1038 de Loneges) is a small fortified provençal town, standing in an elevated position, surrounded by olive trees and vineyards. Many of the ancient sites in Lorgues date back to the 12th century. The old narrow streets have vaulted passages, ancient stairs and buildings and doorways containing attractive stone carvings. The old “portes” such as the 11th Century Porte Sarrasin and 12th Century Porte Trebarry allow entrance into the walled central village.
Lorgues has the size and feeling of a large village with the shops and services of a town. Much of the centre of Lorgues is old but the true old town is the maze of Medieval streets rising along the upper side of the main street: Boulevard Georges Clemenceau and Cours de la Republique.
The 18th Century collegial St. Martin Church stands proudly in the centre of town and is one of the largest in the Var. Another prominent feature of Lorgues is the 12th century clock and bell tower (28 metres high), topped with the 1623 wrought iron campanile.
The main street through the centre of town is partly one-way and single-file for cars, allowing a calm, relaxed atmosphere for the many terrace cafés. Both sides of the street are shaded by large plane trees, indeed the tree lined main street is the longest plane tree avenue in France and every Tuesday morning throughout the year Lorgues has a provençal market which stretches the length and breadth of the street and is one of the best in the area.
As well as several small restaurants, and numerous cafés, Lorgues is also home to Bruno’s the world famous Truffle Restaurant, located on the D10 leading into Lorgues and to Chrissandier, a restaurant "gastronomique" in the centre of the village.
