What images does your mind conjure up when thinking about the Provence region of France?
Is it the beautifully sunny weather, sipping perfectly pale pink rosé wine, visiting quaint villages and paddling about in aquamarine lakes set into a rugged mountainous landscape? This dream is very much a reality – Read on for my 48 hour Cotignac guide.
We were invited to the sleepy town of Cotiganc by the fabulous owners of Mirabeau wine.
Jeany and Stephen showed us around their home and the birthplace of their award winning rosé wine which I now can’t un-see at any barbecue, dinner party or social gathering I go to these days. And for very good reason – their rosé wine and rosé sparkling is divine. It is crisp, refreshing and subtle. It is everything you expect a glass of Provence Rosé to be.
Cotignac is a Medieval town built into the side of a mountain. This picture perfect place is the ideal location to enjoy an easy couple of days in Provence. Beautiful boulangeries, quintessentially French bistro restaurants, a sleepy village vibe but with a bustling market. Think lots of tapenade, bread, seafood.
The Tuesday market is an absolute must visit. (It’s on Wednesday and Friday evenings as well throughout summer.) An array of culinary delights, chic souvenirs and beautiful linen clothing. Olives by the barrel load, local cheeses, green olive and truffle tapenade, lavender soaps, honey and local olive oil confirmed that the market hype is real.
Go at lunchtime and pick up different treats from each stall and build your own picnic. There’s plenty of benches in the tree lined main street to sit and enjoy a lunch alfresco.
If you fancy a post lunch drink head down to the Mirabeau store where you can have a wine tasting and learn more about their different selections of rosé.
During the summer months Cotignac is hot and an escape to the water is a must. Stay local by visiting the Lac Saint-Croix.
An aqua lake and gorge that sits an hour north of Cotignac. Hire pedalo boats and escape the busy shores of lakeside and sail round to one of the many secluded coves. You could even bring your market picnic and make a full day of it – and of course cans of Mirabeau rosé.
We parked next to the town Bauduen. I’ve linked the pedalo hire point on Google Maps.
There is free parking right next to the water’s edge and is a great point to start and end your day. After your swim head up to the spectacular view point and have dinner at one of the bistros looking out over the lake.
The few days we spent in Provence were a blissful escape from London. Basking in the sunshine and unwinding with good company, delicious food and beautiful rosé wine. So grateful to Jeany and her lovely family for welcoming us into their home and their lives for a beautiful few days of relaxing and sipping their beautiful rosé.
Getting there: It’s an easy journey flying into Marseille and an hour’s drive to Cotignac. Or make it part of a bigger driving holiday through France. It’s absolutely a town that should be on your list.
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Looks utterly charming!
thank you!! xx
It looks absolutely beautiful!