Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ducer, decided to make Correns' 200 hectares of AOP Côtes de Provence vineyards or-
ganic in order to boost the appeal of its vintage.
Correns wine (30% white, 50% rosé and 20% red) has made a name for itself while
several other local farmers have turned organic to produce honey, chicken, eggs, olive oil
and goats'-milk cheese. Local kids dine on organic meals at the school canteen, and the
town hall has in-house expertise in ecofriendly architecture to help villagers 'green' their
homes.
Correns
tourist office
( 04 94 37 21 31;
www.correns.fr
;
2 rue Cabassonne;
9am-noon & 2-5.30pm Mon-Thu, 2-5.30pm Fri, 9am-noon Sat)
has a list of estates where
you can taste and buy wine.
The most prestigious of these,
Château de Miraval
(
www.miraval.com
)
, was a monas-
tery in the 13th century, then a legendary Miraval recording studio, where Pink Floyd re-
corded part of
The Wall
in 1979. Unfortunately it shut its doors to passers-by since Brad,
Angelina and kids moved into the dreamy gold-stone property on the vast 400-hectare es-
tate in 2008.
Taste and buy Château de Miraval and other big names such as
Domaine de la Grande
Pallière
(
www.lagrandpalliere.com
)
at wine cooperative and shop
Vignerons de Correns
( 04 94 59 59 46; chemin de l'Église;
3.30-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-12.30 & 3.30-7pm
Sat)
.
At the lovely
Domaine des Aspras
( 04 94 59 59 70;
www.aspras.com
; 1.5km
southeast of Correns; 11am-12.30pm & 4-7pm Tue-Sat)
you can taste in situ and,
should you fancy it, rent a six-bedroom
bastide
on the estate.
The wonderfully cool
Vallon Sourn
, where the green waters of the Argens flow peace-
fully, is perfect for walking and cycling. A scenic drive/ride from the village will get you
there: head north on the D45 towards Châteauvert.
Lunch well, and predominantly organicly, at
Auberge du Parc
( 04 94 59 53 52;
www.aubergeduparc.fr
; 34 place du Général de Gaulle; menus €35; lunch & dinner
Wed-Mon Mar-Oct)
, where cuisine is innovative and market- driven, the wine list features
the local varieties and mains are as sizeable as the five elegant guest rooms (doubles
€130).
LA CELLE
This town is all about the recently restored 12th-century Romanesque
Ancienne Abbaye
de la Celle
( 04 94 72 50 40; La Celle; tours 2pm Tue & Thu)
. Forge your way
through the urban sprawl to tour the abbey. For a special treat, dine or stay at the fabled
Hostellerie de l'Abbaye de la Celle
( 04 98 05 14 14;
www.abbaye-celle.com
; 19
place du Général de Gaulle; lunch menus €46, dinner menus €66-90, d from €340;
