Salernes: terracotta tiles, ceramics and old village

Salernes is a village of 4,019 residents in the Var, 12 km and 19 minutes from Tourtour. Since the early 19th century it has been known for its tomettes, the red hexagonal tiles of Provençal floors. About fifteen ceramicists and fifteen potters carry on the tradition, and the Terra Rossa centre for architectural ceramics, set in a former factory and designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, tells its story. The village keeps a listed fountain, a wash house and the ruins of an 11th-century castle.

Salernes at a glance

The Salernes tomette

Since the early 19th century, Salernes has made tomettes, the red hexagonal tiles that cover the floors of Provençal houses. The town once had many ceramics factories, several of whose buildings survive. Today, about fifteen ceramicists and fifteen potters carry on the craft.

Terra Rossa

The Terra Rossa centre for architectural ceramics is housed in a former factory in the Launes district. It was designed by the architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. It is the right place to start to understand the tomette before visiting the workshops.

The village

• The fountain on Place de la Révolution, on the supplementary inventory of historic monuments since 1926.
• The wash house.
• The castle ruins, recorded from the 11th century, overlooking the village. It is said to have been destroyed by a fire in 1676.

From Tourtour

Salernes is 19 minutes away. It combines with neighbouring Villecroze and Aups for half a day of Haut-Var villages. The Sillans waterfall, closed for works until spring 2027, is right next door.