Paris

Before heading towards Saint-Tropez let’s just make a little side jump to GRIMAUD and COGOLIN.
The N98 will take you to COGOLIN. Cogolin was General de Lattre de Tassigny’s headquarters during the 1944 battle to liberate Provence. It’s a charming little village at the bottom of the massif des Maures calling itself “la capitale de l’artisanat” because of the many ateliers of furnishing and objects made in cork and olive tree wood. It produces also naval armaments hand woven fine carpets, fishing rods and clarinet mouthpieces. You can visit a tapestry manufacture. Created in 1924 the tapestries are hand made and their products enhance the Elysee in Paris, some rooms in Versailles and the palace of Monaco.
The wrought iron industry and above all, the pipes manufacturers are the pride of the village. These pipes are made in briar found in the massif des Maures. Connoisseurs will tell you that these pipes have centuries old tradition behind them and are unmatchable. The pipe manufactories can be visited like the one on the boulevard Louis-Blanc and on the avenue Georges Clemenceau.
Notice how lively and busy it is here. This is really a working city and people are busy! But it is and stays a Provencal village and it retained its medieval architecture, worth looking at. Like it’s small Roman church, Saint-Sauveur, from the 11th and 14th century. Strolling in the old town, admire the numerous green marble doorways and vaulted passageways. Some porches dating 12th century like the rue de la Resistance are mostly carved in serpentine blocs from the massif des Maures. The castle, the knights of Malta build here, was destroyed during the religion wars.

Grimaud up in the hills

The old GRIMAUD is 3 km north of Cogolin, protected by pine tree forests and olive trees. A perfect example of what a picturesque old little village on a high rocky mountain peak should be. A maze of tortuous streets, flowered balconies, the inevitable tourists and ruins of a castle. We can just guess what has been the rich history of this town when we see the still existing impressive ruins this 11th chateau up on a hill. Only the dungeon and a few walls are still standing fiercely. What could be more picturesque? A stroll through the rue des Templiers and the Roman church, Saint-Michel. Other signs of Grimaud’s past are the remains of some old city walls. A path, at the foot of the ruins leads to the “Pont des Fées”, an ancient remain of a Roman viaduct.

Bibliography:

Mary Blume, "Cote d'Azur. Inventing the French Riviera" (Thames and Hudson, London 1982), Stephen Liégeard, "La Cote d'Azur" (Ed.Serre, Nice 1988 a reprint), " Roman remains of southern France ", by James Bromwich (Routledge London 1993, "Guide du Routard 1999",(ed.Hachette), "Dorpjes rond het St.Tropez schiereiland", by J. Helperszoon (Alk 1996)

From Nice to Saint-Tropez (suite)

Cap d'Antibes

Juan les
Pins-Golfe-Juan-Vallauris

Cannes

Iles de Lerins

La Napoule and Henry Clews

Esterel cornice to Frejus

Frejus

Sainte Maxime to Port Grimaud

Old Grimaud and Cogolin

Saint-Tropez

From Saint Tropez to Cassis

Ramatuelle-Gassin-Croix Valmer-Cavalaire sur mer

Le Lavandou-Bormes les Mimosas