| COASTAL VAROIS: Esterel |
| Esterel |
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COASTAL VAROIS: Esterel - Mountain
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COASTAL VAROIS: Esterel
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| Jagged, chaotic, with deep ravines, the Esterel mountain range often gives one the impression of being in the high mountains. In reality, Mont Vinaigre is the highest peak at an altitude of 618 meters. |
The range is made up of igneous rocks composed of porphyries - red crystals in a red matrix - which give the rocks a bright red colour that contrasts like a Fauve painting with the deep indigo blue of the sea. The mountains plunge into the sea creating a coastline in relief, where cliffs and headlands alternate with small creeks and shaded beaches.
LA CORNICHE DE L'ESTEREL
Since the creation of the Cornich route (also known as ‘the golden Cornich’) in 1903 by the Touring Club, it has been |
possible to gaze upon more than 30 kms of magnificent scenery dotted with small creeks and shaded beaches.
SAINT-RAPHAEL was a vacation place for the rich gallo-roman families from Frejus. At the end of the 10th century, the Comtes de Provence gave the town to the Abbeys of Lerins and Saint Victor of Marseille. In the 18th century, Saint Raphael was occupied by farmers and fishermen suffering from malaria. In 1864, with the arrival of the steam engine and the untiring efforts of the mayor of the epoch, Felix Martin, the town was transformed into a smart seaside resort. Famous guests came to stay, many of whom were inspired to create a number of works, such as Felix Ziem, who painted several of his canvases there and Gounod, who in 1869, composed Romeo and Juliette. With 35 kms of beaches, wild creeks, shaded coves, red rocks and a turquoise sea, this region is a visual paradise.
TO SEE
The St. Pierre des Templiers Church constructed in the 12th century on a pre-roman edifice that served as a fortress and refuge for the inhabitants in case of an attack by pirates. The Archeological Museum houses an impressive site of ancient ruins as well as a remarkable collection of roman amphora.
BOULOURIS is a small seaside resort with fine sandy beaches and a port for leisure boats.
Plage du Dramont saw the landing of the 36th American division on the 15th August, 1944. A stele commemorates this event. To the east of Boulouris, at the end of the beach, there is a miniscule islet of red porphyry, called the Ile d’Or (the Golden island) owned by an eccentric doctor in 1897. Herge was inspired by this island to illustrate "Tintin et l’Ile Noire" (Tintin and the Black island).
AGAY is another seaside resort dominated by slopes of red porphyry. Saint Expury frequented this place and was married there in 1932. Miramar is an elegant seaside resort in the cove of Figueirette, which, in the 12th century, was an important tuna fishing center.
THE ESTEREL MOUNTAIN range surrounding the village of Adrets is covered with pine forests and a dense Mediterranean vegetation of broom and red and white heather. Numerous paths offer superb walks.
LES ADRETS DE L'ESTEREL is a charming Provencal village situated in the heart of the Esterel mountains with a panoramic view over the Cote d’Azur from Nice to Saint Tropez.
TANNERON is a small peaceful village situated on the border of the Alpes Maritimes. The Tanneron mountain is reputed for its abundance and quality of Mimosa and during the flowering season from January to March, the mountain is covered in a cloth of gold. |
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