Chateaux d'Entrecasteaux
The castle was built between the XIth and the XVIIth centuries to be a fortress. It is located in the Haut-Var near Aups
and Draguignan. Considered one of the most beautiful castles in the Var, Entrecasteaux’s castle has original
Provencal architecture. This former fortress of the XIth and XIIIth century is a long ancient country-house of equal height, with great simplicity in the classic facades with lots of windows. It is very narrow (3.50 meters wide for 20 meters high). The inside of the castle is very simple and very bright. Among remarkable parts of the castle, there is a front door with an exceptional pediment of Tuscan order and wrought-iron craft. Today we can visit it with a guide.
http://www.chateau-entrecasteaux.com/fr/
and Draguignan. Considered one of the most beautiful castles in the Var, Entrecasteaux’s castle has original
Provencal architecture. This former fortress of the XIth and XIIIth century is a long ancient country-house of equal height, with great simplicity in the classic facades with lots of windows. It is very narrow (3.50 meters wide for 20 meters high). The inside of the castle is very simple and very bright. Among remarkable parts of the castle, there is a front door with an exceptional pediment of Tuscan order and wrought-iron craft. Today we can visit it with a guide.
http://www.chateau-entrecasteaux.com/fr/
Les Gorges du Verdon & Lac de Sainte Croix
The Verdon Gorge (in French: Gorges du Verdon or Grand canyon du Verdon), in south-eastern France (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence), is a river canyon that is often considered to be one of Europe's most beautiful. It is about 25 kilometres long and up to 700 metres deep. It was formed by the Verdon River, which is named after its startling turquoise-green colour, one of the canyon's most distinguishing characteristics. The most impressive part lies between the towns of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, where the river has cut a ravine up to 700 metres down through the limestone mass. At the end of the canyon, the Verdon river flows into the artificial lake of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon (in French: Lac de Sainte-Croix).
Lac de Carcès & Carcès Village
Carcès lake (Lac de Carcès) is located just 3 km southeast of Carcès village. The lake is about 3 km long, twisting along between the forested hills that once lined the small-river valleys that were dammed in 1936. There is no boating, water sports or swimming at Lac de Carcès, but the fishing is good.
http://www.beyond.fr/sites/carceslake.html
http://www.beyond.fr/sites/carceslake.html
Lorgues - Marché de Provence
Lorgues is situated on the side of a hill and surrounded by olive trees and vines. Lorgues is an attractive market town with squares and fountains and good restaurants, bars and cafes. Lorgues is famous for its large provençal market every Tuesday throughout the year which fills its centre.
A walking tour around the old part of the town, marked by 20 numbered plaques, visits most of the ancient sites, many of them dating from the 12th century; a small map with descriptive drawings is available from the Office de Tourisme. The 18th-century collegial St-Martin church, in the center of town, is one of the largest in the Var. Viewed from outside the village, the massive Saint-Martin church is the most obvious feature of Lorgues.
A walking tour around the old part of the town, marked by 20 numbered plaques, visits most of the ancient sites, many of them dating from the 12th century; a small map with descriptive drawings is available from the Office de Tourisme. The 18th-century collegial St-Martin church, in the center of town, is one of the largest in the Var. Viewed from outside the village, the massive Saint-Martin church is the most obvious feature of Lorgues.
Le Thoronet
Le Thoronet is a typical village in the River Argens valley. The landscape is typical of Provencal limestone country, the garrigue and green oaks, rosemary, thyme and olive trees which sway gently in the breeze.
The Thoronet Abbey
It's the main reason why you are here, and you're right because it is the most beautiful place. The architecture of this Cistercian Abbey, built between 1160 and 1190, is one of the most purest examples of Roman architecture in Provence. It emits the most profound sensations of purity and serenity. The structure of the Church, monks' dormitories and the cloisters were built in dry dressed stone, using ancient techniques.
The Thoronet Abbey
It's the main reason why you are here, and you're right because it is the most beautiful place. The architecture of this Cistercian Abbey, built between 1160 and 1190, is one of the most purest examples of Roman architecture in Provence. It emits the most profound sensations of purity and serenity. The structure of the Church, monks' dormitories and the cloisters were built in dry dressed stone, using ancient techniques.
Sillans-la-Cascades
The walk out to the waterfall begins across the road in front of the large Chateaux building, with Office de Tourisme (Syndicat d'Initiative). The walk is clearly marked, and indicates a distance of about 1 km. The trip is worth it just for the walk, with the bonus of the falls at the end. Other longer walks to Salernes for instance can be found by the same paths.
No swimming at the falls and access is not allowed to the water beneath the falls. In years past it was popular to play around in the pools beneath the falls. Now, though, there are at least three huge rocks above which could fall at any time, causing a very serious accident. It's because of this that the local counsel (Consel Général) has put this area off limits. However, there is still access to the turquoise-blue river, where you can go for a small walk and have a swim.
No swimming at the falls and access is not allowed to the water beneath the falls. In years past it was popular to play around in the pools beneath the falls. Now, though, there are at least three huge rocks above which could fall at any time, causing a very serious accident. It's because of this that the local counsel (Consel Général) has put this area off limits. However, there is still access to the turquoise-blue river, where you can go for a small walk and have a swim.
Cotignac
The village of Cotignac sits in the trees at the base of its famous cliffs. At the top of the cliffs, a pair of square, medieval towers (the "sentinelles") have been standing guard over the cliffs, the town and the surrounding countryside since the 12th and 13th centuries.
The cliffs dominate the village and provide the key to Cotignac's protection and its existence. The cliffs are formed of tufa, a porous, calcium rock that's full of holes and caves. The caves have been used as shelter and refuge since before recorded history (by troglodytes), through invasions and epidemics, and through political wars and religious wars. Houses are built into the cliffs, expanding on the caves as places of protection and dwelling, and a few lower ones are still in use today.
You can visit the cliffs by going up to the end of the town behind the mairie. A wide, paved path passes in front of the large oil presses, and leads up to the old hospice de la Charité. From there, you can follow the narrow paths carved into the cliff face, protected by iron railings, to see what the cliffs and the cave look like up close, and have a view out over the village. For an even more spectacular view, you need to take the road out of town that circles around to the "sentinelles" at the top of the cliffs.
In the center of the village, a long, central "square", shaded by plane trees, is set about a meter above the street. The square is filled mainly with outdoor tables from the many cafés and restaurants.
The cliffs dominate the village and provide the key to Cotignac's protection and its existence. The cliffs are formed of tufa, a porous, calcium rock that's full of holes and caves. The caves have been used as shelter and refuge since before recorded history (by troglodytes), through invasions and epidemics, and through political wars and religious wars. Houses are built into the cliffs, expanding on the caves as places of protection and dwelling, and a few lower ones are still in use today.
You can visit the cliffs by going up to the end of the town behind the mairie. A wide, paved path passes in front of the large oil presses, and leads up to the old hospice de la Charité. From there, you can follow the narrow paths carved into the cliff face, protected by iron railings, to see what the cliffs and the cave look like up close, and have a view out over the village. For an even more spectacular view, you need to take the road out of town that circles around to the "sentinelles" at the top of the cliffs.
In the center of the village, a long, central "square", shaded by plane trees, is set about a meter above the street. The square is filled mainly with outdoor tables from the many cafés and restaurants.
Villecroze
This perched, medieval village is established around a group of caves, some of which prepared as dwellings, but never used for habitation in earlier centuries.
The "grottes troglodytes" at the edge of the village are in a series of "tufa" cliffs and caves. The site is now part of a municipal park, well landscaped with lawn, pools, plants and trees. A 40m waterfall cascades down the front of the cliffs to one side, while a series of little paths wind up the cliff face further to the right. The park is open every day, but entrance into the caves is only during May-September.
Back to the Future
In the year 2000, the "Villecroziens" installed in the park at the base of the cliffs a time capsule, to be opened a hundred years down the line, in the year 2100. Mounted on a concrete base are 10 steel "boxes", skewered by a vertical 3-bladed propeller shaft, an interesting sculpture in its own right. If any of our younger readers are in the area around that time, be sure to stop by to see what the messages from the past had to say.
The "grottes troglodytes" at the edge of the village are in a series of "tufa" cliffs and caves. The site is now part of a municipal park, well landscaped with lawn, pools, plants and trees. A 40m waterfall cascades down the front of the cliffs to one side, while a series of little paths wind up the cliff face further to the right. The park is open every day, but entrance into the caves is only during May-September.
Back to the Future
In the year 2000, the "Villecroziens" installed in the park at the base of the cliffs a time capsule, to be opened a hundred years down the line, in the year 2100. Mounted on a concrete base are 10 steel "boxes", skewered by a vertical 3-bladed propeller shaft, an interesting sculpture in its own right. If any of our younger readers are in the area around that time, be sure to stop by to see what the messages from the past had to say.
Salernes
Salernes is a small town in the Bresque valley, dominated by the ruins of it's 13th-century chateau, and famous for its ceramics, especially the little red "tomettes".
There's a 35-minute walking tour of the village, marked with hand-made tile arrows painted bright yellow. The tour takes you through the little streets of the old village, and up past the ruins of the feudal castle at the top.
Salernes became a pottery center because of the natural deposits of clay (argile) rich in iron oxides, as well as the abundance of clear water and the forests to feed the fires of the kilns. The activity of the town is intense and is organized around the production of little "tomettes" - red hexagonal floor tiles - that are typical of Provence and are known worldwide.
Prior to the 19th century Salernes had an agricultural economy, producing wine, olive oil, figs, wheat, peaches and melons, as well as some silk and hats. In the first part of the 19th century many small shops began producing various clay products for local usage, including bricks, tiles, pipes and pottery.
When the exceptional quality of the iron-rich clay became evident, they began specializing in a small red hexagonal floor-tile called "tomette". Around 1850, the "tomette" started developing into the principal product of Salernes, with important exports, first to the South of France, Toulon, Marseille and Nice, and then on to Italy and Africa and America. The "tomette" remained the main product of Salernes for a hundred years. It's still popular today, although from around 1950, Salernes began developing several new ceramic products, but still specializing in various floor tiles.
Today the Salernes ceramics tradition is maintained by 15 ceramists and 4 potters. Approximately 300 people work in its 15 factories. There are also small cement quarries nearby, but none of this "industrial" activity detracts from the beauty of the village.
There's a 35-minute walking tour of the village, marked with hand-made tile arrows painted bright yellow. The tour takes you through the little streets of the old village, and up past the ruins of the feudal castle at the top.
Salernes became a pottery center because of the natural deposits of clay (argile) rich in iron oxides, as well as the abundance of clear water and the forests to feed the fires of the kilns. The activity of the town is intense and is organized around the production of little "tomettes" - red hexagonal floor tiles - that are typical of Provence and are known worldwide.
Prior to the 19th century Salernes had an agricultural economy, producing wine, olive oil, figs, wheat, peaches and melons, as well as some silk and hats. In the first part of the 19th century many small shops began producing various clay products for local usage, including bricks, tiles, pipes and pottery.
When the exceptional quality of the iron-rich clay became evident, they began specializing in a small red hexagonal floor-tile called "tomette". Around 1850, the "tomette" started developing into the principal product of Salernes, with important exports, first to the South of France, Toulon, Marseille and Nice, and then on to Italy and Africa and America. The "tomette" remained the main product of Salernes for a hundred years. It's still popular today, although from around 1950, Salernes began developing several new ceramic products, but still specializing in various floor tiles.
Today the Salernes ceramics tradition is maintained by 15 ceramists and 4 potters. Approximately 300 people work in its 15 factories. There are also small cement quarries nearby, but none of this "industrial" activity detracts from the beauty of the village.
Saint Maximin la Sainte Baume
Right in the heart of Provence, St. Maximin spreads out at the foot of the St. Baume mountains in the basin at an old dried up lake. It is at equal distance between the Alps and the sea.All the while being economically dynamic, St. Maximin has kept its traditions.
This city is renowned for its historical and artistic endowment, which is apparent throughout the old city and the medieval Jewish quarter.
One mustn't miss the St. Madeleine Basilica (It is believed that Mary Magdalene came here after the death of Jesus, and then died in St. Baume), and in the old city, the royal convent, the Arcades and the Hotel Dieu.
While visiting the enormous basilica, remember to admire the side chapels filled with works of art, the sculptured nave, the chancel, the 4th c, Gallo-Roman crypt, and the sarcophagus of St. Mary Magdalene.
This city is renowned for its historical and artistic endowment, which is apparent throughout the old city and the medieval Jewish quarter.
One mustn't miss the St. Madeleine Basilica (It is believed that Mary Magdalene came here after the death of Jesus, and then died in St. Baume), and in the old city, the royal convent, the Arcades and the Hotel Dieu.
While visiting the enormous basilica, remember to admire the side chapels filled with works of art, the sculptured nave, the chancel, the 4th c, Gallo-Roman crypt, and the sarcophagus of St. Mary Magdalene.
Beaches of Fréjus, St Raphael and St Aygulf
Beaches
Beaches are a strong point of the area around Fréjus. There is continuous sand stretching for around 3 miles between St Raphael in the east and St Aygulf to the west. They enjoy good shelter from westerly winds.
To the west, they are generally less crowded, and behind them lies undeveloped, open land, with a large car park adjacent to the 'Base Nature', which lies immediately to the west of Port Frejus.
The beaches to the east, in front of the esplanades of Fréjus and St Raphael, are very popular, with an extremely high level of facilities for visitors including showers, childrens' beach clubs and a wide choice of places to eat and drink.
Closer to St Aygulf, the beaches broaden to large tracts of sand with mini bays created by stoe breakwaters (though the water seldom breaks in summer!). There, the water is shallow and warm, ideal for carefree fun for the children.
There is a substabtial amount of parking at very reasonable cost adjacent to the beaches near St Aygulf, though spaces are can be hard to find between 11am and 4pm in summer.
These beaches can be reached in less than 50 minutes from le Mazet de la Bresque.
Beaches are a strong point of the area around Fréjus. There is continuous sand stretching for around 3 miles between St Raphael in the east and St Aygulf to the west. They enjoy good shelter from westerly winds.
To the west, they are generally less crowded, and behind them lies undeveloped, open land, with a large car park adjacent to the 'Base Nature', which lies immediately to the west of Port Frejus.
The beaches to the east, in front of the esplanades of Fréjus and St Raphael, are very popular, with an extremely high level of facilities for visitors including showers, childrens' beach clubs and a wide choice of places to eat and drink.
Closer to St Aygulf, the beaches broaden to large tracts of sand with mini bays created by stoe breakwaters (though the water seldom breaks in summer!). There, the water is shallow and warm, ideal for carefree fun for the children.
There is a substabtial amount of parking at very reasonable cost adjacent to the beaches near St Aygulf, though spaces are can be hard to find between 11am and 4pm in summer.
These beaches can be reached in less than 50 minutes from le Mazet de la Bresque.
Saint Tropez
Saint-Tropez, one of the world’s top 5 glamour resorts, is a dream destination in many ways. As Beaudelaire said “Here, all is order and beauty, luxury, calm and sensual delight”.
During summertime, everyone looks to Saint-Tropez, a true laboratory of artistic trends and a must destination for the world’s greatest personalities. Saint-Tropez’s history is indeed marked by glamour episodes, from the filming of Et Dieu créa la Femme in 1956, and the Chanel fashion parade in spring 2010…
If in summertime the port’s terraces facing the yachts offer a permanent parade, Saint-Tropez still remains a provençal village filled with history and tradition where everyday life is most pleasant. These are the different facets amongst others that contribute to its charm.
During summertime, everyone looks to Saint-Tropez, a true laboratory of artistic trends and a must destination for the world’s greatest personalities. Saint-Tropez’s history is indeed marked by glamour episodes, from the filming of Et Dieu créa la Femme in 1956, and the Chanel fashion parade in spring 2010…
If in summertime the port’s terraces facing the yachts offer a permanent parade, Saint-Tropez still remains a provençal village filled with history and tradition where everyday life is most pleasant. These are the different facets amongst others that contribute to its charm.
Cannes
Once a small fishing village, Cannes is now a glamorous and expensive seaside town considered to be one of the social hubs of Europe. Its moment to shine arrives in May as the venue for the Cannes Film Festival, entertaining the rich and famous. During the festival, fans can see actors, celebrities, and directors up close and in person on the famous steps of the Palais des Festivals at the end of La Croisette. Although its nightlife, casinos and high end restaurants give Cannes a feel of exclusivity, Cannes does have alternatives to suit all types of budgets. Tourists can check out the beauty and architecture of Le Suquet, with its cobbled streets and breathtaking views, or sit at street side tables and enjoy the sun.