AROUND PROVENCE - Top 10 Provence and the Cote D'Azur - page 126

10. MUSEE DES TRADITIONS PROVENCALES,
DRAGUIGNAN
Housed in 18th-century buildings in the heart of the old town, this is one of the best
ethnographic museums in France. It tells the story of Provençal life from its earli-
est days to the beginning of the 20th century with tableaux, models, reconstructions
and audio-visual devices. 15 rue Joseph Roumanille • Open 9am-noon, 2-6pm
Tue-Sat, 2-6pm Sun • Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec • Adm
Google Map
Perched Villages
The Var's villages perchés were built as a defence against Saracen pirates. In
the 9th century Saracens occupied parts of the Var, notably around La Garde
Freinet. Expelled in 973, they returned to wreak havoc at frequent intervals up
until the 18th century. The locals therefore took to the hills as a form of protec-
tion.
A Day's Drive on the Massif des Maures
Morning
Start in the village of Grimaud and take the D558 up to La Garde-Freinet .
Continue 7 km (4 miles) before turning left (D75) towards Gonfaron and stop
at the Village des Tortues to see the rare native Hermann tortoise Quartier
Plaine • Open 9am-7pm daily (to 6pm Dec-Feb) • Adm Google Map . Take
the D39 towards Collobrières . At Col des Fourches head up to Notre-Dame-
des-Anges, the Maures's highest point. There's a fascinating chapel and out-
standing views.
Three km (2 miles) before Collobrières, turn left (D14) to the Chartreuse de la
Verne, a 12th-century Carthusian monastery of local stone Quartier Verne
• Open 11am-5pm Wed- Mon • Adm Google Map . Then double back to Col-
lobrières. Stop for a drink or lunch at La Petite Fontaine .