Today’s post is from a fellow free spirit who loves an adventure, Katie who is a food and travel addicted blogger when she’s not out exploring. You can catch up with her latest adventures in the kitchen and in distant lands on twitter.
It may be a playground to the rich and famous. But you don’t need a superstar budget to enjoy the delights of Provence. After taking a cheap package holiday to Nice last year, we had been desperate to come back and explore more of Provence. Flying in to Nice, we opt for a two-centre holiday to give our trip that something extra, a little je ne sais quoi.
1. Claviers
Our first stop is pretty Claviers, one of the Rivera’s Villages Perché. And, while the Beckhams are known to own a home just across the valley, with the Jolie-Pitt clan having snapped up a chateau in nearby Correns, I doubt even they could have a view to rival that of the vista from our country cottage.
Source: Pugetive
Arriving at night, we watch a spectacular electrical storm which seems to hover over the other side of the valley at Bargemon. During the day, terraces full of orchids, irises, and fragrant herbs stretch as far as the eye can see while, at night, the views are no less spectacular. You simply look up to see an infinity of twinkling stars.
When we can tear ourselves away from the vistas, we head along a track into Claviers. Wild boar are said to roam the lanes here – the guest book is full of comments about them – but while we hear snuffling and see tracks, we’re never lucky (or perhaps unlucky) enough to actually see one.
Claviers itself is a quintessentially French village in the Var region – with just a couple of restaurants, a village square, pretty church, post office, bakery and a boules pitch. La Provencal serves up delectably crisp pizzas, followed by rich chocolate mousse.
2. Bargemon
Bargemon, with its shaded narrow streets, 12th century town walls, and flowing fountains, is our nearest town and has more choice of eateries. We dine out on tender Magret de Canard, washed down by a glass of spicy, full-flavoured red.
Source: Marco Bono
All too soon, our week is over and it is time to move on. Drinking in those views one final time, we set off to the neighbouring, and altogether glitzier, Cote d’Azur.
3. Valbonne
Just inland from the better known resorts of Antibes and Cannes, Valbonne is a mass of ancient cobbled streets with a picturesque square at its heart. Spend just a few minutes during the evening here and you cannot fail to relax. As dusk falls, the terracotta and pink shades of the restaurants and hotels become softer and twinkly lights are switched on beneath umbrellas on all the outdoor tables.
Source: beamillion
The atmosphere is one of international congeniality, with French, English and American children playing traditional games of tag and grandmother’s footsteps together in the pedestrianized square. We dine at L’Auberge Provencale, eating foie gras and Apple tarte tatin with calvados jus followed by king scallops with truffle celeriac puree. It’s a magical summer evening that we follow with an equally magical day.
4. Lérins Islands
While Cannes may be best known for its international film festival and its vibrant nightlife, it’s also the starting point for a getaway-from-it all day trip. We catch a ferry to Lérins Islands, just 15 minutes’ away by boat, snapping shots of Cannes’ iconic hotels and Croisette as we leave it behind.
Source: Jano van Hemert
Aromas of pine and eucalyptus herald our arrival on Sainte-Marguerite Island, where we visit the fortress said to be the place the real-life man in the iron mask was imprisoned. We stop for lunch at La Guézite, dipping chunks of bread into homemade bouillabaisse before cooling off in the afternoon by swimming in the crystal clear waters. It’s the perfect end to our summer holiday. Although, it’s quite rocky when you get in and out of the water here, so I’ll be bringing some jelly shoes next time we come. And, there will definitely be a next time…
