A field guide to the excursion in the Maures Massif (southern France): a complete transect of the Southern European Variscan belt

In this guide key outcrops of the Maures Massif, southernmost part Variscan belt in France, are described. Here features acquired during fundamental steps evolution southern European can be recognised. The field trip develops along a W to E transect, perpendicular main architecture belt. It is organised eight stops that easily reached by car or walking. excursion completed one day, but better enjoy these spectacular outcrops, two days suggested. show significative low-grade rocks External Zone up high-grade migmatite Internal Zone. Particular focus given on tectonic contact between and zones marked km-scale transpressional shear zone, known as Cavalaire Fault, whose structural, lithological, metamorphic geochronological aspects described detail. This structure branch crustal-scale system late Carboniferous at regional-scale East Shear several branches were interconnected all recorded common characterised deformation starting from ~330 My.