Within the hills of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, within the Var division, La Garde-Freinet is without doubt one of the prettiest little villages you possible by no means heard of. It is without doubt one of the famed perched cities of this sun-kissed nook that represents the quintessence of the historical past, artwork and attraction of outdated Provence, the place steep cobbled streets and shaded squares are lined with flower-festooned stone homes, artists galleries and welcoming eating places, and the views over the Maures Mountains to the Mediterranean are merely chic. This can be a city that’s effectively price a detour from swanky Saint-Tropez, simply 21 km away.
What to see and do in La Garde-Freinet
A thousand years in the past there have been two distinct elements to La Garde-Freinet – the highest of the hill the place the chateau as soon as sat with its commanding views and relative security from invaders, and the village under. However by the 13th century, the decrease village proved extra common because it was simpler to succeed in and extra spacious. Right now, the views from the hilltop ruins of Fort Freinet, a listed web site with a powerful 140m lengthy dry moat gouged into the cliff, are dazzling, searching over the panorama, the Pre-Alps, the Maures Massif and over to the bluest of seas, the Mediterranean, a soul inspiring panorama.
The enchanting city, reached by a winding street, has an genuine Provencal vibe, a spot of tinkling fountains and pastel-coloured homes. Awarded the label ‘village of character within the Var” and “Exceptional Pure Website,” La Garde-Freinet has lengthy attracted artists, together with actors Vanessa Redgrave and Tony Richardson whose residence, the Nid de Duc, was a magnet for the worldwide jet set and artwork crowd looking for paradise in France. David Hockney was a frequent customer and, captivated by the nice and cozy mild and dramatic surroundings, featured their residence and the panorama in quite a few works, together with one among his most well-known: Pool with Two Figures. Christopher Tolkien, son of JRR Tolkien of Lord of the Rings fame, had a house subsequent to the 17th century Chapelle of Saint-Jean.
It’s straightforward to see what attracts folks to this stunning village. Picturesque alleyways and slender passages, typically carved out of rock, result in hidden treasures, a spring water fountain, homes which might be minute architectural masterpieces, and historic monuments together with an historical washhouse and the 15th century church of St Clément. It’s a village that feels as if time has stood nonetheless.
Sundays and Wednesdays are market days within the aptly named Place du Marché, and the sleepy village bursts into life, because the terraces of cafés and eating places fill with completely satisfied consumers having fun with the native produce.
La Garde-Freinet was a hub of chestnut manufacturing with centuries outdated chestnut orchards. You could find out extra on the Conservatoire du Freinet which promotes native manufacturing of silk, chestnut and cork farming with exhibitions. The Conservatoire additionally organises workshops for adults or youngsters, and guided excursions of the village and its surroudings. On the Ferme de Blandine, a household run, natural micro-farm near the city within the Massif des Maures, you’ll be able to go to (guide upfront) to seek out out extra about chestnut manufacturing. The household decide and type the fruit by hand, dry them over a wooden fireplace for a number of weeks and grind them to make flour.
And if you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to be within the city on the final two Sundays in October, be part of within the enjoyable on the well-known Fête de la Châtaigne within the coronary heart of the village, the place you’ll be able to style chestnut all the things from ice cream to liqueur, muffins, bread, jam, and La Garde-Freinet’s well-known marrons glacés!
For an uncommon go to, head to the atelier Coudou Rossell the place artisans Maxime and Benjamin create santons, small collectible figurines which characteristic in nativity scenes – they’re the right memento to take residence any time of the 12 months. And if you happen to’re within the Gulf of St Tropez in winter, don’t miss their unimaginable big crib with a number of thousand handmade santons (free entry).
Within the night when the sunsets and the purple tiled roofs of the homes glow a deep ruby, you’ll be able to hear the thwack of clashing balls from a recreation of petanque and the cicadas sing, sip a glass of native rosé. well-known for its pale blush – there’s nowhere extra stunning than this pickled prior to now village within the hills of Saint-Tropez.
Push the boat out at Final Provence, nestled within the vineyards that encompass La Garde-Freinet. The eating places are welcoming whether or not inside, on the sun-drenched rooftop terrace with views over the vineyards or absorbing the atmosphere poolside. Menus mirror native and seasonal produce and provide a real style of Provence from a superb chef. The severely modern bar provides tastings of the estates personal fabulous wines; the bottles are artworks in themselves and make for nice vases.
Listed on the unique, small luxurious lodges of the world record, the lodge supplies new-wave Provencal lodging with old-fashioned glamour, deeply restful, luxurious rooms with non-public terraces, a gleaming spa, attractive gardens and a sports activities space together with a glass-walled badminton court docket overlooking the vines.
Climbing heaven
Labeled a ‘Station Verte’ space (an eco-tourism label awarded to locations which protect nature, tradition and historic heritage), mountaineering right here is heavenly. Pop to the pleasant vacationer workplace positioned within the Chapelle Saint-Jean, to seek out particulars of the 12 mapped walks that begin within the village, after which head out to take in the aroma of fig and chestnut timber and benefit from the breath-taking views.
Discover out extra concerning the Golfe Saint-Tropez and its many treasures:golfe-sainttropez-tourisme.fr/en
