Places to See

There are plenty of places to visit.  For example there is the pipe museum and the carpet factory in Cogolin.  Each day there is a market not far away - why not combine it with a beach trip or a visit to an old village for lunch?


Grimaud

There are many pretty villages that are well worth a visit like Gassin, Grimaud, Cogolin, Ramatuelle and of course St Tropez.  Go early to St Tropez to beat the heavy traffic especially on market days (Tuesday and Saturday)  Have breakfast in one of the waterside restaurants.  From this vantage point you can watch the rich and sometimes famous playing on their boats.

 

Port Grimaud is a must to visit.  Market day here is on Thursday and Sunday.  Remember that all markets are finished around midday so go early.  You can take the water taxi for a trip around the canals, but you can also hire a little electric boat and do your own tour. You will find these boats by the church. The children will love it!  You can also take the boat to St Tropez across the bay, look out for the notices on the quay.

 

Collobrieres is a pretty place to visit.  There are several good restaurants with reasonably priced menus and the journey provides some spectacular views.  We suggest taking the N98 towards Toulon, then the D41 (the Col de Babaou) northwards to Collobrieres.  Market day here is on Sunday.  The return route is via the D14 to Grimaud, but on the way back it is well worth visiting the monastery called the Chartruese de la Verne.  It is well signposted.  From the D14 there is a superb view of the Golfe de St Tropez.  Return through Cogolin and then back to La Mole.

The Gorge du Verdon is stunning.  The drive there takes about 2 hours, but it is an interesting journey.  The lake of St Croix is turquoise blue and you can take a canoe or a pedalo up into the gorge itself.  It is quite safe.  We took our Mum for a pedalo ride on her 80th birthday!

 

Col du Canadel

At sometime during your stay take the opportunity to drive out of the gate of Pachacaid and turn left to take the road up to the Col du Canadel.  Be careful as the road is narrow with many blind bends.  The view at the top is magnificent, you can see along the coast to Le Lavandou and, when the weather is clear, the islands of Levant, Port Cros and Porquerolles (to which you can take boat trips).  The early evening is good for this trip to watch the sun set behind the hills.

Seascope

At  Le Lavandou or St Maxime you can take a trip in a trimaran craft with a glass middle hull.  The craft takes you out to see the beautiful fish and fauna off the coast.


Beaches

The nearest beaches are at Le Rayol and Canadel.  Take the road up and over the Col du Canadel.  It will take about 15 minutes.  Park in one of the tracks leading to the sea.  Further afield are the famous St Tropez beaches. Also worth a visit is L’Escalet beach, just south of Ramatuelle.  Look at your map and go exploring and you will find other beaches.


Wherever you go  Do not forget the sunscreen.

You can view pictures of some these places and more at a larger size in the 
PICTURE GALLERY