Abstract Synthesis of structural, petrological and geochronological data for the Maures–Tanneron Massif and its integration in the framework of adjacent massifs (i.e. Sardinia and Corsica) has allowed us to propose a new model of evolution for the southern Variscan belt. After Siluro-Devonian subduction associated with high-pressure–low-temperature (HP/LT) metamorphism M 0 ( c. 10–15 °C km −1 ) and subsequent Carboniferous nappes stacking, the belt underwent strong reworking related to back-thrusting. Nappes stacking and back-thrusting were associated with typical Barrovian metamorphism M 1 ( c. 20–30 °C km −1 ) starting at 360 Ma that progressively evolved to higher temperature metamorphisms M 2 ( c. 40–60 °C km −1 ) and M 3 ( c. 60–80 °C km −1 ) during 330–300 Ma in the internal part of the belt. Progressive increase of the thermal gradient is interpreted as a consequence of gravitational instabilities triggered in the partially molten orogenic root. Continuous compressive forces applied to the belt allowed vertical extrusion of the orogenic root in fold-dome structures. The mass transfer is accommodated by orogen-parallel transpressive shearing synchronous with M 3 during Late Carboniferous time. The orogenic wedge is characterized by two main tectono-metamorphic units decoupled by a major shear belt: an Internal Zone with migmatites and syntectonic granitoids, where HP relicts have been exhumed, and an External Zone that escaped the late HT event and preserved precious structures.