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Need 5 Reasons to visit Cotignac

Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Explore · Villages Towns and Cities

Cotignac’s permanent population hovers around 2,300 people.

The official count swells on a sunny Tuesday when throngs of visitors appraise market stalls on the main street — Cours Gambetta. A column of plane trees provide welcome shade to vendors watching their stands that are heaving with tempting melons from Cavaillon, fresh goat cheeses and intoxicating aromas of roasting chickens.

Market Day Cotignac #Cotignac #Var #Provence Melons Market Day Cotignac #Cotignac #Var #Provence

Located in the heart of the Var, Cotignac is an attractive location with easy access to the Gorges du Verdon or for a day at the beach. Alternatively, for more action, the big city attractions of Aix-en-Provence and Nice are easily accessible from the town within 65-90 minutes.

That said you might find it hard to extract yourself from this 11th-century village positioned at the base of an 80m cliff of porous tufa. The 400m length of the rock face has been pockmarked by wind and water erosion over centuries. Well, before history was recorded on paper this crag provided shelter to humans as evidenced by the remains of troglodyte dwellings. You can read more about the history from our friends at Provence Living here.

Here are five reasons you want to visit Cotignac:

  1. You can test your driving skills on these narrow roads

Cotignac streets #Cotignac #Var #Provence Cotignac streets #Cotignac #Var #Provence Cotignac streets #Cotignac #Var #Provence Cotignac streets #Cotignac #Var #Provence Cotignac streets #Cotignac #Var #Provence

  1. You can do a vertical hike to the grottos or a flat walk to the waterfall

Cliff living in Cotignac #Cotignac #Var #Provence Waterfall Cotignac #Cotignac #Var #Provence

  1. The Cours Gambetta provides welcome shade on a sunny day

Market Day Cotignac #Cotignac #Var #Provence

  1. The beautiful windows

A Window in Cotignac #Cotignac #Var #Provence A Window in Cotignac #Cotignac #Var #Provence A Window in Cotignac #Cotignac #Var #Provence

  1. Mirabeau en Provence’s boutique

Mirabeau en Provence #Cotignac #Var @MirabeauWine Mirabeau en Provence #Cotignac #Var @MirabeauWine

Image Credit: Mirabeau Boutique photos were provided by Mirabeau en Provence

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From Nice: Full-Day 4x4 Alpine Escape with Local Food & Wine Tastings

Hop aboard a premium 4x4 Ford Raptor and venture far from the bustle of the French Riviera into the hidden mountain landscapes of Nice. This exclusive experience takes you off the beaten path to explore the soul of alpine Provence, where perched villages, wild valleys, and enduring local traditions await.

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Millions of years of seismic activity, tectonic plate movement and freeze-thaw cycles created the diverse geology of present-day Provence. The region is also known as the Bouches de Rhône where the Mediterranean shoreline runs the gambit of beaches, brackish wetlands and vertigo-inducing cliffs. Other natural phenomena in the area include the steep contours of the …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott

With her camera and laptop close at hand, Carolyne has traded in her business suits for the world of freelance writing and blogging. Her first airplane ride at six months of age was her introduction to the exciting world of travel.

While in Provence, Carolyne can be found hiking with friends, riding the hills around the Alpilles or tackling Mont Ventoux. Her attachment to the region resonates in Perfectly Provence this digital magazine that she launched in 2014. This website is an opportunity to explore the best of the Mediterranean lifestyle (food & wine, places to stay, expat stories, books on the region, travel tips, real estate tips and more), through our contributors' articles.

Carolyne writes a food and travel blog Ginger and Nutmeg. Carolyne’s freelance articles can be found in Global Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine and City Palate (Published Travel Articles).

9 Comments

  1. Jill BARTH
    May 5, 2016 at 9:23 am — Reply

    Such a gorgeous village — I’m sure you can name at least five more! Love it and love connecting via #AllAboutFrance

    • CKAdmin
      May 5, 2016 at 4:05 pm — Reply

      LOL! Jill we will have to meet in Cotignac and discuss all the reasons to be there over a glass (or two) of rosé.

  2. Ashley
    May 9, 2016 at 3:27 am — Reply

    I was just in Cotignac last week. Sadly I missed the market. We arrived from the north and I love the view of the town from above! There seems to be a large English population here.

    • CKAdmin
      May 9, 2016 at 3:47 am — Reply

      Hi Ashley: I agree Cotignac is beautiful, even if it was not market day. Yes, there is a decent expat community in the town (or nearby), which is understandable given all its proximity to the coast, to Aix-en-Provence, the Var and of course all the vineyards!

  3. Lia
    May 9, 2016 at 11:34 pm — Reply

    What I beautiful town! I’ll have to add this to my ever growing list off places I still have to see in Provence :)

    • CKAdmin
      May 10, 2016 at 3:36 am — Reply

      Hello fellow traveller yes add Cotignac to your list, which I am certain is long and growing. Loved your post on Avignon. Feel free to share any other Provence stories you want with our readers.

  4. curtis bausse
    May 12, 2016 at 2:55 am — Reply

    Never yet been there despite living in Provence for 25 years. Now on the list though – but I might give attraction n° 1 a miss :-)

    • CKAdmin
      May 12, 2016 at 8:14 pm — Reply

      Hi Curtis the problem with France is I am sure even after 25 years there is still SO much to discover. Believe me I was not sure if I could make it around some of those tight corners.

  5. Phoebe @ Lou Messugo
    May 12, 2016 at 8:45 am — Reply

    I bet there at east another 5 excellent reasons to visit….so I really must get there one of these days. Thanks for linking up to #AllAboutFrance

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