| COASTAL VAROIS: SAINT-TROPEZ |
| THE MAURES MOUNTAIN RANGE and GULF of SAINT–TROPEZ |
|
|
COASTAL VAROIS: SAINT-TROPEZ - The village
|
COASTAL VAROIS: SAINT-TROPEZ - Peninsula
|
|
|
| The Maures Mountains throw their green mantle from Hyeres to Saint-Tropez. |
| The air is impregnated with wafting perfumes emanating from pines, oaks, chestnuts, arbutus, and cork-oak, a successful industry that was created in the 60’s. All along the coast, are a multitude of seaside resorts To really explore in-depth this magnificent spot, two circuits are possible: the Corniche des Maures, a magnificent route along the coast punctuated with numerous viewpoints and charming villages, and the Route des Cols where, by following the often deserted paths, you can discover |
the wild interior of the mountain.
THE CORNICHE DES MAURES
This superb coastal route offers the opportunity to view the charming seaside resorts between Lavandou and Frejus. Lavandou was the first fishing port of Var and later become popular with amateur yachtsmen. Protected by Cape Benat, Lavandou is a ‘friendly’ seaside resort with a number of fine sandy beaches.
DOMAINE DU RAYOL came of age at the beginning of the 20th century when the rich industrialists and bankers invested in this exceptional place and built splendid villas in the heart of luxuriant virgin vegetation. It is one of the most beautiful places of Coastal Varois. Two kilometers to the west, the beach, bordered by pines from Rayol-Canadel-sur-mer, is one of the most protected.
TO SEE:
The Domain is an exotic garden surrounding a residence built in 1910. Abandoned for several years, the site was finally bought in 1989 by the Conservatoire du Littoral. Gilles Clement, a landscape gardener, created a mosaic garden with plants from all over the world: bamboo from China, agave from Central America, blue gums from Australia….. If you want to dive into the water, then don a mask and flippers, take the Marine Path and discover the underwater life of the Mediterranean. .
The seaside resort of CAVALAIRE-SUR-MER has a ‘family-atmosphere’ about it, and is a paradise for amateur yachtsmen. Croix-Valmer, nestled against the Corniche des Maures, is reputed for the quality of its bathing waters. The commune has 220 hectares of protected natural parks where you can walk through the woods to the coast.
The village of RAMATUELLE, sits on the peak of a hill. The rose-coloured roof-tops of the houses are huddle together in a snail-like fashion in the womb of the rampart. The small, serpentine streets invite you for leisurely stroll. Close by, the celebrated beach of Papelonne, offers 5 kms of fine sand.
SAINT-TROPEZ, ‘luxurious, sensual and calm’ was the name given by Matisse, a Tropezian, to one of his canvases painted in this famous port. This ancient maritime trading post in the heart of this superb gulf was founded by the Greeks At the beginning of the 20th century, famous artists and writers discovered this small fishing port and captured its beauty on canvases and in their writings. In the 50’s, the St. Germain des Pres literary circle descended upon Saint-Tropez for the summer and one could bump into Sagan, Prevert, Picasso…The myth was accentuated in the 60’s with the arrival of Brigitte Bardot. Today, it is THE place for all the international show biz personalities and financial elite.
Thankfully, Saint-Tropez remains a village full of charm with pastel –coloured houses and flowers everywhere you look. The village guards a typical Provencal charm and its animated early morning market at Place aux Herbes only adds to the allure. On the portside, the fishermen sell their fish and for more than 10 km you have a succulent choice to put on your plate. The beaches are wonderful with fine sand or pebbles and small creeks sheltered by parasol pines.
TO SEE
The Place des Lices where under the plane trees that Provencal pastime of French bowling takes place between show-biz vedettes and tropeziens. The Citadel, a beautiful donjon with round towers from the 16th century, the Annonciade and the Saint-Tropez Museum – a 16th chapel housing the chefs d’oeuvres from the end of the 19th century, beginning 20th century. One can admire paintings by Bonnard, Signac, Vuillard, Matisse, Chabaud…and many others.
SAINTE-MAXIME built in the heart of the Midi and sheltered from the wind by the Maures Mountains, this village has many attributes to merit its reputation as a charming seaside resort. The old village with its pedestrian streets invite a leisurely stroll and from the large jetty you will have a fabulous panoramic view of the gulf. The port is a paradise for fishermen and pleasure boats and the superb fine sandy beaches attract not only the regulars but many others.
FREJUS was a Roman town, an ancient port, a medieval town and finally an exotic military base. Over many centuries, Frejus has accumulated both a historical and architectural patrimony. Founded in 49 by Julius Cesar, Roman Frejus was, before anything else, a port. The town is dotted with monuments among which, is one of the largest amphitheatres dating from the 1st and 2nd century. The theater, the golden door - a vestige of the thermal baths - the lantern of Auguste, a landmark constructed in the Middle Ages on the site of an ancient Roman port and the aqueduct which brings the water from Mons over a distance of 40 kms to the town. During medieval times, this ancient Episcopal palace and its facade dating from 14th century would have been in rose sandstone from Esterel. Today, it is the Town Hall.
Do go and see the Episcopal Group dating from the 11th and 14th century with its Cathedral, baptistery – one of the oldest in France dating from the 5th century – and monastery constructed during the 12th and 13th century.
During the WW1 the colonial troops were housed in this town. From this period there remains a few monuments that give Frejus a note of exoticism and perhaps, a strange touch. The Missiri Mosque destined for the Senegalese infantry is a replica of the Malienne Mosque at Djenne. The memorial of the Indochina war is a huge semi-circular necropolis facing the sea. The Hong Hien Buddhist pagoda constructed in 1917 by the Indochinese soldiers in the French army, stands in the heart of the Asiatic Garden.
ROUTE DES COLS
This circuit follows sinuous and deserted routes by which you can discover the authentic countryside and penetrate deeply into the Maures Mountains.
BORMES-LES-MIMOSAS is a tiered village on a flank of the Maures Mountain. In the beginning of the 20th century ‘les Mimosas’ was applied to Bormes to attest to the floral culture of the town. In February, there is a fabulous showing of Mimosa flowers. The old village is typically Provencal with its small streets and covered passages. Visit the Château des Seigneurs de Fos, dating from the 13th and 14th century, which overlooks the village. On the terrace you will have a superb view over the Bay of Bormes, Cap Brenat, the Iles de Port-Cros et Levant.
SURROUNDINGS
THE FORT OF BREGANCON, summer residence of the President of the Republic since 1968, dominates the rocky ilot on which it is constructed. But one can only look, not visit. The Col de Babaou rises to an altitude of 414 meters and from the summit there is a magnificent view over the salty marshes of Hyeres, the ‘almost an island’ of Giens and the Hyeres islands.
COLLOBRIERES, a picturesque small market town that looks over the tumultuous waters of the river. Cork is grown here. In the surrounding areas you will find the Monastere de la Verne, Chartreuse where most of the buildings date from the 17th and 18th centuries. Built in a wilderness in the middle of chestnut trees and green oaks, the monastery offers a haven of peace and serenity. Notre-Dame des Anges chapel – the prior was reworked in the 19th century – where within is the ex-voto, the oldest of which is dated 1685. The place offers an unbelievable panorama beyond the Alpes to Argens, the Hyeres Islands, Toulon, and to the west, Ste Baume,, and, if you are lucky enough to have a clear day, to Corsica!
GONFARON
is a tranquil village built around a hill at the foot of the Maures Mountains. For a long time its industry has been based on cork and at the Ecomusee of Cork you will be able to follow the history of this activity. If you are fascinated by tortoise then you must visit the Tortoise Village, a natural space unique in the world, where the Hermann tortoise are raised, protected and studied.
COGOLIN
Nestled against a spur in the Maures Mountains in the heart of the Saint-Tropez gulf, this village has a few strings to its bow and a rich history. First, it is a old village with porched houses bordering arched passage ways that twist and turn like a serpent, dominated by the clock tower. Four kilometers from this small market town is the marina which can accommodate 1,600 boats. Its four docks are surrounded by contemporary houses with a beach of fine sand adjacent. Finally, the artisanal is one of the rich traditions of Cogolin: the manufacturing of pipes and reeds for musical instruments was born from the local resources - briar roots, reeds and cork oak. In 1928, the carpet industry was created by the Armenian refugee weavers in France.
GRIMAUD
Situated on the flank of a hill in the middle of a sumptuous landscape, this village has preserved its medieval character. Visit the Saint Michel church, a small roman edifice from the 11the century. The origin of the château goes back to the 11th century. Destroyed in 1655 by order of Mazarin, the chateau rests an imposing ruin
SURROUNDINGS
PORT-GRIMAUD is a lakeside town designed by the architect, Francois Spoerry. Garde Freinet is an exceptional forested commune in the heart of the Maures Mountains, served by a picturesque winding road in the middle of cork-oaks and chestnut trees.,. Fortified since the 11th century the village has conserved its original character. From the 17th century up until the end of the 19th century the village capitalised on the production of the cork-oak. Today, Garde Freinet is reputed for its chestnuts and delicious chestnut cream. Visit the ruins of Fort Freinet, surrounded by a moat. Perched like an eagle’s nest at 450 meters it offers a magnificent panoramic view to the Alpes. |
|
|
