Cotignac is a charming village in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. Nestled at the base of a dramatic tuff cliff, Cotignac is known for its natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene.
The village's unique setting, with ancient troglodyte caves carved into the cliffside, offers a glimpse into the past and provides a stunning backdrop for exploration. Its narrow streets are lined with historic stone buildings, quaint shops, and inviting cafés, creating a picturesque atmosphere that captures the essence of Provence.
The central square, Cours Gambetta, is a lively hub where locals and visitors gather to enjoy the relaxed pace of village life and the warm Provençal sun.
Surrounding Cotignac, the landscape is a patchwork of vineyards and olive groves, reflecting the region's rich agricultural heritage. The rolling hills are dotted with wineries producing some of the finest rosé wines in France, offering visitors the chance to explore vineyards, participate in wine tastings, and learn about the local viticulture. The area is also home to lush forests, rivers, and picturesque villages, providing ample opportunities for exploring.
There are many things that you could check around the area while you are there:
Marches de Provence / Provence Market (Every TUESDAY)
Cotignac is the home for Provence Market on every Tuesday.
You can usually start shopping from 8.00 am and the market traders clear up again from 12.30 pm. It is located on the Cours Gambetta, with over 50 different booths can be found on this market. The product range includes fruit and vegetables, flowers and crop and also clothes, kitchen utensils, furniture, toys, among others.
Wine Tasting
There are many wineries around the area to try. The tasting is usually free, with the expectation that you will purchase one or more bottles of wine from them. Recommended wine tasting around Cotignac: Casa Mireabeu, Carpe Diem, Fountainbleau. Chateau Mentone, which is 30 minutes away from Cotignac could be a good option; they have a restaurant on the premise as well.
Cheese tasting
For you who loves cheeses and are interested in doing cheese tasting, we recommend to go to either Fromagerie de Lorgues (https://www.fromagerie-lorgues.fr) or Jas du Vignal (https://www.lejasduvignal.fr).
Lavender fields
Lavender starts to bloom around mid to end June until it is usually harvested end July to mid-August, making end of June is the perfect time to visit.
Terraroma and Valensole are one hour away from Cotignac, where you can just stop by the side of the road and jump into lavender fields.
This website provides a good reading on where you can see lavenders: https://www.planestrainsandchampagne.com/a-guide-to-visiting-the-lavender-fields-in-provence/
Gorges du Verdon and Lac de Sainte-Croix
45-minute drive from Cotignac, and you will discover the Lac de Sainte-Croix that sits at the gateway to the famous Verdon gorges valley, beside the famous villages of Bauduen and Moustier-Sainte-Marie. You could also make it a combined trip with a lavender fields trip, as Valensole is nearby.
Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez is a one and half-hour drive from Cotignac. Frequented by the jet set, this small Provençal fishing village has become one of the most famous summer spots the world. Take a stroll around the port, admire the enormous yachts, window shop at the luxury boutiques, and take in the traditional Provençal houses with their ochre façades. After the village excursion, why not get involved in the festive atmosphere of many beach clubs on Pampelonne, where dance and music stretches all the way into the night.
Aix-en-Provence
Located just one hour’s drive from Cotignac, this Provençal city has a broad appeal to travellers seeking enriching discoveries. Aix-en-Provence proves to be much more than an historic city, it is a real cultural star in Haute-Provence.
Bourges
Bourges, 30 minutes drive from Cotignac, is a commune known for its half-timbered houses and its Gothic-style Cathedral features 13th-century stained-glass windows. The city center is vibrant with a lot of restaurants and bars.
Arles
Arles is one and half hour drive from Cotignac. It's famed for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh. Once a provincial capital of ancient Rome, Arles is also known for many remains from that era, including Arles Amphitheatre (les Arènes d'Arles), now hosting plays, concerts and bullfights.
Gordes
One hour and half from Cotignac, Gordes' white and gray dry-stone houses spiral around the rock on which the village sits, with the church and castle at the top facing the Luberon hills. Its privileged location, exceptional charm and typical architecture have earned it the title of “one of the most beautiful villages in France” (See the third picture above).
Right outside Gordes, you won't want to miss the famous and beautiful 12th century's Senanque Abbey, confined to its verdant valley. It is still inhabited by Cistercian monks who produce honey, lavender essence and liqueur.
Restaurants to visit
There are so many Michelin acclaimed restaurants around / nt far away from Cotignac; from Bruno, with its all truffles menu, to Le Jardin de Berne, with its organic vegetable garden and its idyllic setting where Provence meets Tuscany. We recommend checking the Michelin Guide website for reference: https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/provence-alpes-cote-dazur/cotignac/restaurants?sort=distance
