This beautiful cottage is located in the historic centre of Brignoles, with all day-to-day amenities you could need within a short walk. Whether you want to go out for a meal, a drink, head to the cinema or pick up some fresh food from the market, everything is on your doorstep. Brignoles is a bigger town with a wider range of shops and restaurants. The former ruling Counts used to live here in a palace which now houses a regional museum with exhibitions on everything from day-to-day life to the period in the 18th century when the town was chosen as a temporary home for the Parliament because of the plague. If you are in town on a Wednesday or a Saturday, then make time to peruse the bustling market stalls where you can purchase locally produced items such as olives, honey and peaches.
La Celle is another beautiful village to visit, around 2.5km away by car. This typical Provencal village is centred around agricultural life and the river Caramy which flows through it and is a peaceful place to visit. The main attraction is the imposing Abbey which was home to Benedictine nuns for 500 years; today, visitors can look around the recently restored buildings and the exhibitions. As well as archaeological artefacts and items from the Abbey, there is also a modern exhibition on display here. Next door to the Abbey, there is a Michelin-star restaurant, the Hostellerie de l'Abbaye, perfect for a celebratory meal.
Although the cottage is inland, it takes under an hour to get to the breath-taking coastline, which is dotted with plenty of beaches. One of the closest beaches is Plage de la Garonne which is 42km away and is a long sandy beach. If you do not mind travelling just a little further for a day trip, why not drive the extra 18km down to Port de la Tour Fondue and take a relaxing boat ride to the Golden Islands. There are three islands to visit, the largest being Porquerolles, a beautiful, protected island. Spend the day enjoying the unspoilt beaches and snorkelling in the clear water or make the most of the brilliant hiking and cycling routes to explore more of the island. There are even restaurants on the islands, so you do not need to rush back for dinner.
Getting to and around
The Provençal way of life is one that’s deeply tempting for anyone who’s been feeling the need to get away from it all. This is a place where the Mediterranean weather turns fields of corn and lavender into picture-perfect backdrops, where you can sip your locally bought wine and enjoy the landscapes before heading out and tackling them head-on with a range of great activities for families, groups of friends and adventurous foodies. Better yet, our range of villas in Provence and chateaux and holiday homes in the Côte d’Azur make the perfect base to explore this enchanting region!
