south of France | Postcards From Here and There

The Provencal village of Entrecasteaux is a short 9Km drive from Cotignac. Despite being so close together they couldn’t be more different. Entrecasteaux is smaller, quieter and is a place where you can almost believe you are stepping back in time. The pace of life here feels gentler, the café in the centre of the village is where locals stop and chat over their morning coffee before going about their daily business. Even the conversation is respectful of the peace and tranquility of the place.

The Chateau dominates the centre of the village and was built in several phases between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries. Much of the rest of the village dates back to the sixteenth century.

Cotignac is a small village of around 2000 residents in the Var region of Provence about 23 miles from the town of Draguignan. It is a wonderful town to visit and can be combined with a trip to near by Entrecasteaux if you have the time.

The origins of the village date back to Roman Times but for most visitors it is the troglodyte dwellings in the face of the cliff that dominates one end of the town that they come to see. A couple of Euros enables you to visit but be warned the steps are steep and headroom is limited in places. Combined with the heat of the Provencal sun it can be quite arduous but well worth it.

The village is an excellent place to wander around. The Main Street, lined with Plane trees, has lots of cafés, bars and restaurants along with a good mix of galleries and shops. Many other street are narrow and offer some welcome shade on a hot day.

Cotignac has real charm and character. It’s busy but in a relaxed way that many villages under a hot sun are.