Grandparents and a Rockin’ Getaway

It’s finally beginning to feel as though the seasons have changed. November brought on a bunch of rain and the days became significantly shorter with only about 10 hours of daylight on average. December’s arrival meant a few things for us including a 2-week school break for the girls, the holidays, and a visit from one set of grandparents. We were excited to spend more time together and have family over to share in the year-end celebrations together which included Brigitte’s birthday.

As most of the country was gearing up for winter and its elements, our region was still benefiting from a milder Mediterranean climate with sunny days (albeit shorter), and comfortable temperatures (highs between 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit). This paved the way for several outings with the grandparents to some of our favorite places including the coastal hiking route (or sentier de littoral).

With the grandparents’ offer to watch the girls, Brigitte and I were able to plan a birthday getaway to the village Cotignac. Set in the middle of the Var region’s wine country at an altitude of 600+ feet, Cotignac is a classic Provençal village with colorful narrow streets and a history dating back centuries to medieval Europe. But the one feature that sets it apart from most other Provençal villages is the signature rock wall that serves as its backdrop. The rock wall (or Rocher as the locals dub it), is 250 feet tall and about 1,200 feet wide. Due to its porous nature allowing for cave formations, the Rocher stood as refuge to its inhabitants, tracing back to the days of troglodytes. Today it makes for a remarkable scene that defines the village of Cotignac. Although the caves were not accessible this time of year, we were still able to superficially wander around and get a sense for them. One can also explore the top of the rock wall where two medieval towers stand guard overlooking the cliff. The towers were still in pretty good shape given that they’re roughly 800 years old. From up there the views of Cotignac just down below and the scenic countryside stretched endlessly into the horizon.

Just a short drive outside Cotignac is a well known regional attraction, the Cascade de Sillans (or the Sillans Waterfall), which stands about 130 feet tall and spills itself into an emerald green lake. A couple of paths offer access to the view points of the waterfall, one from an elevated platform (for a close and personal encounter), and another that’s a bit more distant but grants access to the pools at the foot of the waterfall. We explored both routes seeking the best vantage points to capture the cascade (one of France’s best apparently), which proved to be impressive. The hikes took us through olive groves and forests attesting to the area’s aesthetic beauty and varying landscapes.

Ahead of our outing for Brigitte’s birthday dinner, we made a pit stop at Domaine Fontainebleau for a dégustation (or wine tasting). The domaine sits within the Côte de Provence AOC and is known for its rosés, whites and reds. The property is among one of the larger vineyards in the region with 90+ acres of vines (out of more than 400 acres comprising the entire property). Our visit served as a toast to the evening, to Brigitte’s new year, and to the region that made our stay wonderful. Merci Cotignac and to the grandparents as well for making it all possible, santé!