Nearby Abbaye du Thoronet (between Draguignan and Brignoles) is a fine example of an old Cistercian abbey (circa 1140) and Abbaye de la Celle a twelfth century Royal Benedictine abbey stands just outside Brignoles.

Aix-en-Provence (78 km distance – Saturday market) is a beautiful and buzzy town. Its main thoroughfare ‘Cours Mirabeau’ - is an avenue of eighteenth century town houses lined with cafes and plane trees. There are over one hundred fountains in Aix! The city retains a sense of the past and some say that little has changed since Cezanne and Zola went to school there together.

For the country lover butterflies and wild flowers abound (famous botanist Louis Gerard was a son of Cotignac), the bird population is impressive and hunting with hounds takes place during the autumn and winter months. Good walking area too.

St Tropez is about 45 km to the south and there is lovely swimming in the Lac de Ste Croix around forty minutes drive to the north. The latter is close to the dramatic Grand Canyon du Verdon an inspiration for the Norman Foster designed Pre-History Museum at Quinson.

Nearest golf courses are at Barbaroux (near Brignoles - about 30 mins) and the challenging St Endreol (near Le Muy about 50 mins). You should book tee off times in advance. Good skiing is available during winter months at Isola – about three hours’ drive; we can also supply details of other less well known resorts.

A useful web site for the area is www.provenceweb.fr