A guide to manage the development of agritourism
The Var prefecture publishes a guide to support the growth of agritourism while preserving agricultural land.
Faced with economic and climatic hazards, agritourism is emerging as a strategic diversification path for farmers in the Var.
To support this movement, the prefecture, in collaboration with the Département, the Chambre d'Agriculture, and Var Tourisme, published at the beginning of July the first edition of a "Guide d'accompagnement des projets agritouristiques". This document aims to provide a framework for farmers and local authorities to develop a sustainable offer.
The department is already a pioneer in this area. According to Atout France, 10% of Var farms offer a tourist activity, which is double the national average (5%). This dynamic, mainly driven by wine tourism, represents a major economic lever.
A major economic potential
The guide highlights that agritourism offers opportunities to diversify income, enhance product value, consolidate economic resilience, and create jobs. For a territory that welcomes 11 million tourists a year, the potential is immense.
Advertisement
However, this development must be controlled to avoid its potential excesses: land artificialization, land speculation, landscape fragmentation, or unfair competition.
The objective is therefore to place agritourism "in a dynamic of sustainable development by being anticipated, controlled, integrated into territory projects, respectful of environments, existing economies, landscapes, and populations," specifies the prefecture.
Clarify town planning rules
One of the major contributions of this guide is to demystify the complexity of urban planning rules in agricultural and natural areas. It details the three possible scenarios for a project: without new construction, within an existing building, or through new construction.
The document explains the strict conditions for creating new buildings, which often require the use of a STECAL (Secteur de Taille et de Capacité d'Accueil Limité) in the Plan Local d'Urbanisme (PLU).
By providing analysis grids and clarifying the role of the Commission de Préservation des Espaces Naturels, Agricoles et Forestiers (CDPENAF), the guide aims to reassure project leaders, particularly those in sectors other than wine-growing (livestock, market gardening, beekeeping).
Tailor-made support
This publication is part of a strategy initiated in 2025 with the creation of a Steering Committee "Agritourisme dans Le Var". The most concrete measure is the establishment of a single departmental contact point for farmers.
Led by the Chambre d'Agriculture du Var, this single window will guide farmers and facilitate dialogue with State services and local authorities, from the initial idea to the realization of the project.
The prefect Simon Babre and Sylvain Audemard, president of the Chambre d'Agriculture, welcomed this collective approach: "This diversification is a major lever to consolidate the economic resilience of farms, while supporting the agricultural fabric, guarantor of our food sovereignty and the vitality of territories."
Photos Philippe OLIVIER.