Babeth and Philippe had kindly given us a map and a list of places they suggested were worth a visit. Our next stop was going to be Hyeres so rather than use the Autoroute, from Grasse, we took the D562 rural road and visited three of their suggested villages, Montauroux, Callian and Tourrettes.
Montauroux, Provence, France
It was a warm sleepy Sunday morning. The sky blue and the air filled with a mixture of bird song, church bells and running water. This was picture book Provence, I hope the pictures speak for themselves.
Vence Cycling Club, Montauroux, Provence, France
At Montauroux, we caught up with a group of cylists from Vence that we had passed on the road up. A small market had just got underway in the town square.
Market Square, Montauroux, Provence, France
Montauroux, Provence, France
Montauroux, Provence, France
Montauroux, Provence, France
Montauroux, Provence, France
Montauroux, Provence, France
Montauroux, Provence, France
We then drove another couple of kilometres to the other side of the valley to find Callian.
Callian, Provence, France
Callian, Provence, France
Callian, Provence, France
Callian, Provence, France
View from Callian, Provence, France
Callian, Provence, France
A further 5km and we came to the village of Tourrettes.
Tourrettes, Provence, France
Tourrettes, Provence, France
Tourrettes, Provence, France
Tourrettes, Provence, France
Tourrettes, Provence, France
Tourrettes, Provence, France
Tourrettes, Provence, France
Negotiating the campervan through these small rural streets was a bit of a challenge but all the villages provided big parking areas just outside the centre, which is more than can be said for Nice! After a coffee and snack in Tourrettes we headed for Draguignan to pick up the autoroute to Hyeres. It had been a remarkable morning.
Au restaurant dans Tourrettes j’ai demandé de la serveuse <pouvez vous prendre un photo de nous>. Elle nous a dit <Bien sûr, c’est mon deuxième métier!>. Elle était très gentil mais je ne veux pas utiliser cet photo sur le blog parce que mes yeux sont fermé. Vraiment, je buvais seulement du café!
I so much enjoy your blog…said that before! I was born in Toulon, got baptised in Frejus, my sister in Hyeres. We lived in La Londe-les-Maures after Toulon, seven years in this region before we headed off to French Guiana. So your pics speak to my heart Steve. Maybe you could visit my dad – and his last wife, a bit of a snake! – in Bagnols-en Foret. Bagnols used to be a small village, when he bought his wee piece of land 25 years ago and had the house built. He told me a few weeks ago it had developed tremendously. But I suppose that it still is a village. He’s 79, talks a lot, and is interesting in what he tells. But a 2-hour visit would be enough. He would be fine with you and Neil. By the way, how do you find the atmosphere? I am apalled at the results of the European elections. Can you feel racism, violence, unemployment,.. around? Read you again soon.
That’s really interesting – it’s great to get your comments and find out more about you. I didn’t know you were from that region. We spent Sunday night in Hyeres, right on the end of the peninsular at Camping La Tour Fondue. We didn’t stop at Toulon (we went under it through the very long tunnel) as The Lonely Planet guide wasn’t very complimentary – sorry! However, we did stop beyond Toulon at Sanary-Sur-Mer, which was lovely. Will post about these in the next couple of days. Would have loved to have visited your Dad but have now moved on and are at Aix-En-Provence – maybe on the way back if we have time.
I’m also dissappointed at the results of European elections but believe it’s a reaction to the economic situation and people are pointing the finger in the wrong direction. However, the atmosphere I feel here is very friendly, warm and people are positive. Having said that, we’ve mainly been visiting smaller holiday destinations – I guess the feeling in the suburbs of Paris, Marseille or other large cities might well be very different.