| In the heart of a small Var village carved out of the Provence garrigue, with the scent of lavender and thyme in the air, a few elderly gentlemen enjoy their favorite sport, the traditional game of petanque, under the shade of majestic plane trees. |
Others sip their pastis sitting on the terrace of a cozy café, talking about the world and its problems, while a couple of pigeons splash about at the edge of the old village fountain.. |
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| These are the kind of clichés that spring to mind when one thinks of Provence! Yet they are very real and heart-warming! |
| In a light that is unique in France, you will discover and learn to appreciate the beauty of the Var coast and the inland countryside, and the rich heritage that this region of France has learned to preserve. |
| The Var forest, though considerably damaged in the past, is far from being destroyed - indeed, the Var is the most wooded area in France. |
| You will enjoy wandering through wooded hills of rare beauty, featuring common trees, like pines and white and evergreen oaks, as well as more unusual varieties, such as mimosas, chestnuts, cork oaks and even Atlas cedars! (the Maures massif, the Sainte Baume massif, the Grattelou arboretum, and many others). |
| Nor is it possible to forget the presence of the fig trees and that other typically Mediterranean tree, the symbol of peace, brought to the region by the Phoenicians some 800 years ago - the olive tree, of course! |
| When it's time for "l'aperitif", visitors always appreciate the way olives are prepared with Provence herbs, or in the form of a tapenade. And the oil is an indispensable ingredient in the great variety of regional dishes. |
| The Var abounds in vineyards, reminding visitors that the warm, welcoming atmosphere in this area is often accompanied by a good bottle of Côtes de Provence. |
| Jean and Anne-Marie, who served as hosts as part of the prestigious Charming hotels listed in Gîtes de France: la Caussolière in the Charente Maritime area, will not fail to put into your refrigerator a delicious bottle of Château TERREBONNE (Silver Medal in Paris, 2004), which you can savor on the terrace in the shade of the cool hundred-year-old pine. |
| For those who prefer to relax at home, there is always the option of reading a good book on a lawn chair or playing a game of pétanque in the garden before the afternoon aperitif ! |
| The beautiful weather that prevails here (annual sunshine of more than 2900 hours!) has helped make the Var a leading tourist destination in France. |
| 890,000 people live here during the year, while more than a million visitors join them during the summer. |
| In summertime you will certainly find a spot along the 92 km (57 miles) of beach scattered along the 432 km (268 mile) coastline. Each season's light brings out extraordinary landscapes in this limestone area, with its 35 lakes and 1800 catalogued natural caves. |
| Don't hesitate to come and hike one of the major long-distance footpaths outside the peak periods. They can lead you anywhere from one of Europe's largest canyons to the famous port of St. Tropez. |
