Cotignac

Cotignac in the Var, a charming village at the foot of a cliff

Cotignac is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. This Provençal village in the Var region awaits you at the foot of an 80-meter cliff carved out of tuff. Discover an exceptional heritage between the Verdon Gorge and the French Riviera.

A charming historic center

The colorful houses of the historic center nestle in flower-filled streets. They tell the story of this town of 2,200 inhabitants located in Provence-Verte. The Cours Gambetta, lined with plane trees, is home to cafés and restaurants. Tuesday is market day, when you can find local products and crafts.

The Notre-Dame de Grâces sanctuary welcomes pilgrims and visitors. Louis XIV came here in 1660 with his mother Anne of Austria. The troglodyte dwellings carved into the cliff give this authentic French village a unique character.

The village is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and almond orchards. The shade of century-old plane trees and the murmur of fountains set the pace of life in the center, especially in summer when the terraces fill up in the late afternoon.

A village at the foot of a superb cliff

The ochre cliff overlooking Cotignac stretches for almost 400 meters and rises to a height of 80 meters. It is home to caves and cavities carved out by erosion, some of which were occupied in the Middle Ages by inhabitants seeking protection. Today, a trail has been created allowing visitors to climb up and enjoy panoramic views of the plain and the village.

The changing light of the Var plays a major role here: at sunrise, the cliff takes on golden hues, while in the evening it is bathed in intense orange.

Stroll through Cotignac

Start at Cours Gambetta, a vast esplanade shaded by plane trees where the weekly market is held every Tuesday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Here you will find seasonal fruits and vegetables, olive oils, honey, cheeses, and local crafts.

As you climb back up towards the cliff, lose yourself in the cobbled streets lined with stone houses, often decorated with colorful shutters and flower boxes. Stop in front of the 13th-century Saint-Pierre church, then continue on to the two Saracen towers that frame the cliff and recall the site's defensive history.

A footpath leads to the troglodyte dwellings, offering a remarkable view of the village rooftops and surrounding hills.

Emblematic sites

The troglodyte cliff

An impressive natural wall, pierced with caves and passages, accessible for self-guided or guided tours.

The Notre-Dame de Grâces sanctuary

1.5 km from the center, a major pilgrimage site since the 16th century, perched on a wooded hill.

The two Saracen towers

Medieval ruins offering a superb view of the village and the valley.

Saint-Pierre Church

Sober and elegant, it houses a 17th-century altarpiece and a bell tower with glazed tiles.

Tuesday market

An unmissable event to soak up the local atmosphere and taste local products.

Local life and events

• Market: every Tuesday morning, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Cours Gambetta.

• Saint-Jean festival: end of June, with bonfires, dancing, and entertainment.

• Festival des Fontaines: in summer, shows and concerts throughout the village.

• Grape harvest: September, with tastings at nearby vineyards.