I have these “feelings” if you will, that tell me about places, people and things. It is a blessing and curse honestly! Call it pattern recognition, my grandmother’s ancestry, witchcraft or whatever you want, I knew I would want to stay at the next stop for more than just a day visit before we even arrived. Something was literally pulling me there and upon leaving, was tugging at my heart strings to return. Cotignac, labeled as one of the most beautiful villages in France is almost accurate. I will take it up a notch and say it is one of the most magical! I promised myself this weekend I will dig through my photo trunk for those 16-year-old photos I took when I did the full French countryside tour and attempt to make sense of where I had been as a child versus now. It’s mostly a blur minus Mont Saint-Michel which stands out vividly in my mind.
We had just finished visiting La Maison de la Chapelle in the French Provençal Countryside of Carcès, France which is only an 11 minute drive away with no traffic. A one-hour drive from Cotignac, the Var coast offers seaside resorts or authentic Provençal villages, sandy beaches, wild coves, such as Bormes-les-Mimosas for unspoiled nature or party in the summer in Saint Tropez. This is the confusing part for most Americans about The French Riviera, known in French as the CĂ´te d’Azur, it is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France which has no official boundaries but stays close to the coastline. Although in Cotignac, France it feels like you’re a world away from most everything which makes it even better to disconnect!
Arriving to the parking area in Cotignac, France. A groundskeepers house perhaps?Just so you know where to park, it was interesting to see shipping containers in Cotignac, France.In case you want on top of the patio here in Cotignac, France.The gate that will allow cars to pass but not humans without a pass in Cotignac, France. I liked the cheeky humor here.The weather kept chasing us with storms in Cotignac, France which makes for a very moody photograph.My first view of Cotignac, France was a part of Lou Calen and how very beautiful.Also this amazing fountain in Cotignac, France.Looking down the row of trees in Cotignac, France.Almost fit the whole front of the space in at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.Walking into the lobby is a bookstore at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France. Long live learning!And also art everywhere in Cotignac, France.A stunning, glowing bar at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.And the rainy patio outside at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.We sat down for a minute for some more espresso and waited for the rain to pass in Cotignac, France.All the tiny details like this lamp flower at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France. I want one!Another library on the second floor at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.The inspiration behind the name Lou Calen in Cotignac, France. I need a painting like this!Soon we were on a tour of the inside rooms at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.The rooms facing the front of the village at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.The view of Cotignac, France out the window.No screens in European windows or Cotignac, France.A view outside in another direction in Cotignac, France.Loving the views in each direction at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.The bathroom in the same room at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France. We love a ledge to shave!Into the next room tour, the sun was teasing us in Cotignac, France. What a view!Very cosy and chic at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.The stairway to the bedroom at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.A huge stainless steel bathtub at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.The second floor bedroom that we giggled about how strong the pelvic floor must be in Cotignac, France.A tiny kitchen in this unit would be helpful in Cotignac, France.A nod to Arizona cowboy and cowgirl hats to keep the sun off your face in Cotignac, France.Another more dreamy, smaller room at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France. This one more my style mixing rustic with new.And the view can’t be beat on this balcony at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.Walking back towards the stained glass room at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.The outside patio at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.The happy greenery from all the rain in Cotignac, France.Because there is so much land, signs to lead the way in Cotignac, France.They also have their own winery at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.Another cat was spotted – and heard – she was hungry for food at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.One of the many swimming pools at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.The clouds kept chasing us inside in Cotignac, France.But that’s what patios are for in Cotignac, France.You can also rent a whole house if you like at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.With beautiful archways at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.The sun played peek-a-boo in Cotignac, France tempting us down this pathway.A little beach pool at Lou Calen for the kids.And another swimming pool next to it in Cotignac, France.A restaurant on the property at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.You can either dine outdoors or indoors at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France.They grow a lot of their own fruits and vegetables here in Cotignac, France.A tiny blue door I was drawn to explore in Cotignac, France.Soon we followed the sunshine again in Cotignac, France.And to lunch we went at The Bistro in Cotignac, France. From the outside looks like nothing special.But inside a whole world of culinary delights await in Cotignac, France.The space was buzzing as it was prime lunch time in Cotignac, France.A private table we almost sat at in Cotignac, France. What glorious decor, the photo does not do it justice.Just a small taste of rose for the table at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France. Carpe diem indeed!The menu on a chalkboard each day at the Bistrot at Lou Calen in Cotignac, France. Entrees are appetizers in France and Plats are Entrees, just switch it up. French custom is to have three courses each meal so plan for it!Behold the best pate I have ever had in Cotignac, France! Paired with some French bread or baguette, this was enough for me. But wait there’s more!One of the gals enjoyed this butternut squash soup in Cotignac, France.And the leeks in Cotignac, France.The best kind of peer pressure to try the risotto in Cotignac, France. Unlike the gooey cheesy ones in the USA, this was full of vegetables and very light.A medley of flavors for dessert we all shared with a tangy tart and fruity sorbet in Cotignac, France. Our host told us the pastry chef scared all the men with her swearing and tough exterior which produces outstanding pastries.A perfect cappuccino to end the meal and prepare for a walk around Cotignac, France.Soon we connected with our guide in Cotignac, France and were on our way.
Cotignac is certainly one of the most magical villages in France! And with our trusty guide Explore Cotignac, we were able to see houses built into the cliff side with small cat houses too and more fun to explore. I instantly fell in love with this unique, stunning, and quirky small town. Videos and photos do not do it justice! We had a quick walking tour and were not able to scale the side of the cliff steps because it wasn’t open but what a magical place, worthy of a Tolkien book. Mark my words, I will be back. I feel it tugging at me to explore those caves.
The streets were still damp and wet in Cotignac, France.
But the beauty shines through in Cotignac, France.Obsessed with the city streets and fountains in Cotignac, France.An up close photo of the fountain in Cotignac, France.Always look up in Cotignac, France.Onward we went up the streets in Cotignac, France.As the streets got more narrow, you could tell it was history time in Cotignac, France.Obsessed with this decor, our guide told us he was an eccentric man in Cotignac, France. I honestly love it!Another fountain in Cotignac, France.Monuments to dead children in Cotignac, France.A peek of what was to come cliffside in Cotignac, France.Looking up at the cliffs in Cotignac, France.Amazed a town exists as one with the cliffs in Cotignac, France.The olive presses that were once used by the town in Cotignac, France.Up a lot of cobblestone steps in Cotignac, France.Some houses looking back toward town in Cotignac, France.I was just in awe of this sight in Cotignac, France.A little history lesson for you all in Cotignac, France.Normally they have tours cliffside but it was closed that day in Cotignac, France.Walking through the windy cobblestone streets in Cotignac, France.The birds would circle and sing songs in Cotignac, France.What amazing views in Cotignac, France.Every direction better than the rest in Cotignac, France.People used the caves for storage in Cotignac, France.The birds were everywhere in Cotignac, France.Amazing that humans used to live in there in Cotignac, France.A whole house built into the side of the cliffs in Cotignac, France is still used to this day.The area that was closed for the day in Cotignac, France.Up the other side of the entrance in Cotignac, France.Inside the gated room in Cotignac, France.Out tour guide then began sharing his trinkets he found in and around the caves in Cotignac, France.
This is me looking straight up in Cotignac, France.I climbed the steps I was allowed to and snapped a pic in Cotignac, France.Amazing piece of history he found in the caves in Cotignac, France. None of us wanted to touch that though!A slice of the cliffside in Cotignac, France.Not what you think, it’s an artists community in Cotignac, France.I still couldn’t believe what I just saw in Cotignac, France.Feels like a door to the fairy world in Cotignac, France.Another man from Cotignac, France decided to start a cat village in the rocks and they love it!If you can’t find your cat, just come here in Cotignac, France.Walking back down in Cotignac, France.The overgrown ivy in the fall is a vibe in Cotignac, France.I spotted a unicorn as well in Cotignac, France.Shutters of pretty provencial blue in Cotignac, France.Yet another cat did a drive by petting and pose in Cotignac, France.I did see some lizards in Saint Tropez so it made sense they live here too in Cotignac, France.My last photo of Cotignac, France with the sun teasing us. I would love to return! Our host told us of a crazy lady who demands to paint people in town and I would love to meet this character next time.
The streets were still damp and wet in Cotignac, France.
