Cotignac

Cotignac is located in the area west of Salernes and south of the Gorges du Verdon, and together with other small towns such as Entrecasteaux, Villecroze and Tourtour, it forms a very beautiful and interesting area. Cotignac is an exciting town to walk around, unspoilt Provencal in all its character. The town is well protected at the foot of 100 metre high, steep slopes full of caves that once served as hiding places for the population when enemies threatened.

The city itself is incredibly charming with its 16th-century houses with beautiful portals, old shop fronts, beautiful squares with fountains, restaurants, cafés and several interesting small shops, including a number of interesting galleries and art shops.

Every Tuesday throughout the year, the city's beautiful main street (or central square), Cours Gambetta, is taken over by a large local market. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés and bars along the main street, which is flanked by large, shady plane trees.

At the northern end of the square is the beautiful ‘Fontaine des Quatre Saisons’, brought here from a monastery in Aix-en-Provence during the French Revolution. At the southern end of the square is another beautiful fountain, the ‘Fontaine de la Cascade’, in white marble.

From the northern end of the ‘Cours Gambetta’, the narrow ‘Grand Rue’ leads up to the large square, the ‘Place de la Mairie’, which houses the beautiful town hall, a few restaurants and shops, a large sundial and an interesting stone fountain from 1647, the ‘Fontaine des Deux Places’. From the town hall square you can glimpse the top of the cliffs that rise above the red brick roofs of the city.