Callian
Callian - A medieval gem situated on a hill-top with its rows of dappled terracotta roofed houses in concentric circles around the chateau which forms the center of the little town.
There is a market square by the side of the church which dates back to 1685 where you can take a relaxing drink in the sun and watch the world go by! There are all the little shops which one requires including butchers, bakers, news agents, tourist information etc. in the cobbled streets around the square. Just out of the drive way to the house and en route to the village is the medieval washing place where one of the many fresh water springs in the town provide copious amounts of cold water and where the more adventurous locals can be seen washing duvets etc.! Don't worry there is a washing machine at the house!
The surrounding towns are Grasse, Montauraux, Fayence and Tourettes with the beaches and famous coastline half an hour's drive away. Gastronomic delights await on almost every corner from Michelin star restaurants to little 'Auberges' and oak-oven pizzas cooked in Callian.
Montauroux
Montauroux is a picturesque village nestled to the east of the Var, 30kms from Saint Raphael and Frejus, 35kms from Cannes, 50kms from Nice airport and 2kms from Callian.
The town is built on the site of an old fortress and is endowed with much of historical interest such as the remnants of a roman aquaduct, a stone bridge Hannibal took his army across, a medieval church and chapels, as well as houses from the 17th and 18th century.Chapel St Barthelemy is a legacy to the village from Christian Dior who made the town his home, and whose chateau can be seen on the outskirts of the village.
Daily shopping requirements are more than adequately catered for in the town square either from local bakers and butchers, the supermarket or the weekly market brimming with local produce. Its Honey, Olives and Olive oil are a "must" purchase! Town life centers around the town square where essential matters of the day are discussed at leisure over a coffee, a pastis or the ubiquitous game of boulles.
For
more information about the local area, please visit:
www.callian.fr
www.montauroux.com
www.lepaysdefayence.com
Lac de St. Cassien
This beautiful, picturesque lake is about 7km long north-south, with an east-west section another 3km long. With its southern tip adjacent to the autoroute, only 12km west of Cannes, the Lac de St. Cassien is easy to get to, while remaining natural and un spoilt. The lake is bordered almost completely by forested hills, and the shoreline is undeveloped, leaving its beauty for all to enjoy.
There is ample parking and easy access to the shore, with beaches for swimming, picnic tables, boating, sailboard and canoe rental. The majority of the shoreline, however, is isolated and accessible only (if at all) by small trails through the scrub oak and juniper to tiny coves and clear spots suitable for picnicking and swimming.
Fishing
The lake apparently contains huge carp, as well as pike and other predator fish. Carp fishing is open year-round, while the season for other fish can be verified at Chez Pierre's or one of the other cafes on the lake. To help maintain the sport of fishing, you should release anything that you catch.
Sports
Boat, canoe and sailboard rental is available along the eastern shore of the lower lake (conveniently beside the road) and northwestern end of the Pont de Pre Claou bridge that crosses the lake. The rental boats are row boats and boats with small electric motors. Private motor boats are not allowed on the lake; no water skiing is permitted.
Hiking
Maps: IGN 3543 est (1:25,000); Didier Richard #26 (1:50,000).
Hiking trails go completely around the lake, although they follow roads for part of the journey. To the east of the lake, the Bois de Callian goes up over hills towards the village of Tanneron, where oak forests merge into many mimosa forests. To the west, the hills and forests are wilder and steeper.
Golf
There are several beautiful golf courses in the local area:
Domaine de Terre Blanche
If the Côte d'Azur is the soul of the Domaine de Terre Blanche, the golf-course is its heart. No other site, in fact, can offer golfing amenities on a par with the ones you'll find here : two 18-hole courses, a golf academy, a floodlit practice range with covered positions. Swings and puts are thus on the residents'daily program. Villas and courses merge into a single backcloth for a life-style wholly dedicated to the owner's pleasure. The fairways of the two 18-hole courses thus pay their visit to the five little hamlets on the Domaine.
Golf de L'Esterel
Par 71 5825 metres
Esterel Golf Club is just over a mile from the beaches of Saint-Raphael,
in the heart of the majestic pine Massif de l'Estrerel. This course
has great views as in runs down into the Mediterranean Sea.
Tel: +33 (0)4 94526830
Fax: +33 (0)4 94526831
For more golf courses in the region, please visit: www.golfinfrance.f9.co.uk/levar.htm
Gorges du Verdon
The Grand Canyon du Verdon, also called the Gorges du Verdon, is a spectacular canyon that forms a border between the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Var. Up to 700m deep, the 21-km-long canyon varies in width between 6 and 100 m at the bottom and 200 to 1500m at its rim.
Activities include:
- White water sports: rafting, canyoning, kayaking.
- Water sports: sailing, water skiing, fishing.
- Aerial sports: paragliding, free flight, gliding.
Skiing
During the winter season you’ll find several opportunities
for skiing within less than 2 hours drive:
Isola 2000 - located about 2 hours drive from the area, 2000 meters altitude skiing from December to April.
Greolieres Les Neiges – 1.5 hours drive, skiing is from 1700 - 1400m altitude and is usually good from Christmas to March. The resort is good for learning and can be excellent after a big snow fall, but it is only a relatively small ski resort, however there are snow canons.