Simply 15km from the stylish city of Saint-Tropez, and 10km from sandy seashores lapped by the Mediterranean Sea, Plan-de-la-Tour is a secret gem of Provence with its flower-filled alleyways, ochre-coloured homes and pastel-hued shutters. A peaceable place to find ideally in spring or autumn.
Surrounded by verdant vineyards, garrigue-scented countryside, olive orchards and forests of umbrella pine, oak and cork bushes (cork was as soon as the primary industrial exercise of the world), Plan de la Tour within the Massif des Maures hills is sort of a little oasis the place time has stood nonetheless. Not well-known, the city has a laid-back vibe and an attractive, genuine Provencal village really feel, and 25 fairly little hamlets are scattered among the many hills that encompass it. This space is nicely value a detour from the extra well-known villages of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.
What to see in Plan de la Tour
Unfold in a winding snail-shell like sample across the centre of city, are a maze of leafy squares and cobbled streets, good for a break or to take pleasure in an extended, lingering, lazy lunch or dinner, for folks watching or having fun with aperitifs – it must be the native wines, particularly the well-known pale roses of the world. Hop to Restaurant Le Porche with its roomy terrace, heat welcome and real-deal menu specialising in Provençal flavours and hearty, tasty pizzas with an Italian flavour.
Plan-de-la Tour is the proper place for a stroll. Wander the “outdated village” part of the city to find pickled previously, picturesque outdated homes and tiny streets clustered collectively. Don’t miss Saint-Martin church and its outstanding campanile, and the outdated presbytery, now partly divided into artists’ studios and exhibitions, and the Chapel of Saint-Peter the place a big fig tree grows out of the stones.
Go to on Thursday to benefit from the vibrant Provençal market which takes over plane-tree shaded Place Foch – you’ll discover an array of native goat’s cheeses, olives, honey, avenue meals, aromatic soaps and native crafts. In the summertime look out for the stall the place you should purchase one-of-a-kind magic wands! You may assume artist Gilles Taïs, or ‘Gillou d’où Plan’, is a distant relative of Albus Dumbledore from the Harry Potter books however no, the artist is solely obsessed with creating distinctive magic wands! Wizards of all ages can contact him and go to his workshop in his dwelling.
Great walks
The realm is ideal for strolling and mountaineering, with routes that take you thru cork forests, previous the spectacular blue-grey granite boulders of the massif and providing stupendous views over the Gulf of Saint-tropez, and the French Pre-Alps. Data factors have been arrange alongside the intercommunal footpaths. Discover out extra right here: www.golfe-sainttropez-tourisme.fr/en/things-to-do/actions/hikes/
Cease off on the little hamlets that pepper the hillsides of Plan-de-la-Tour. Every has its personal character and lifestyle, like Les Brugassières (the place the heather grows), Préconil, Vallaury, Vernet (the place alder bushes develop), Prat Bourdin and Revest the place horses run free. The little hamlet of Forge affords a blinding view of the village, winery and the circle of hills that encompass it. And dotted about are quite a few traces of the previous relationship again to prehistoric instances. Nature lovers will adore the Gorgues Path, a straightforward, accessible stroll that takes in a winery, hamlets and menhirs.
A festive village
This can be a tranquil village, however festivals are a lifestyle right here. In March, parade floats are coated in white heather, on the finish of April olive oil is celebrated at a vibrant truthful. In Might it’s the fete of Saint-Pons with animal and agricultural occasions, and a donkey pageant. And in the summertime there are full of life night markets, dances and Competition dans les Vignes performances. In July/August, is the animated Competition of Saint-Pierre which dates from 1792. September, when the grapes have been harvested, it’s the flip of the Vigne à l’Époque Romaine to be celebrated – a grape and wine pageant. Lastly, in December there’s a mulled wine pageant heralding the arrival of Christmas because the hamlets put up their lights and put together for the lantern parade and well-known Grande Veillée when all of the locals collect across the cacho fue – the normal lighting of Christmas Log in Provence.
Pop into the vacationer workplace at 7 Place Georges Clémenceau (closed weekends) for particulars of hikes, cycle routes, horse-riding, occasions… and meet the charming “Marie-Jo” for personalised recommendation.
Discover out extra details about Plan-de-la-Tour and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez: www.golfe-sainttropez-tourisme.fr/en/
