Annot
Charming village in the hills above Nice
Annot combines medieval charm with modern Provençal style in a wonderfully relaxed fashion. It's also a great centre for mountain sports.
On the scenic train line from Nice to Dignes, on arrival at Annot train station the main village is a 10-minute walk away through a pleasant residential area; it’s easy to find, just look out for the red roof tiles and head in that direction.
First of all you’ll pass by the tourist office on the main square, a wide shady area lined with tall Plane trees. Beyond is a quiet intersection where the terraces of a few different cafés and bars face a large petanque pitch beside the river Vaïre. The bridge that crosses the river is the Pont de la Donne, built in 1709 and registered as an historical monument.
On turning right at the intersection you’ll enter the old village; a fascinating tangle of medieval alleyways and beautiful stone buildings. The tiny streets all loop round to meet each other, so it's easy to double back and find yourself back where you started without realising.
Annot is not just a monument to the past, there is also lots to do and it is a popular site for rock climbers thanks to the sandstone of the Grès d'Annot.
History & Culture in [locality]
The legend of the Chambres du Roi dates back to the 10th century when Saracen marauders were sweeping France.
Apparently a Christian prince of Lower Provence was on the run from the Saracens and was granted refuge in a rocky cavern, where he and his princess lived in safety until their hiding place was revealed by a traitor and they were slaughtered by the Saracens, along with the people of Annot who had helped hide them. The entire village would have been wiped out if it were not for a plague that swept through the Saracen ranks, mysteriously stopping once all the infidels were dead.
All good stories obviously end with a ghostly presence and this one is the restless soul of the traitor, who apparently appears as a strange glowing vision as dawn breaks over the rocks.
Sights & Attractions in [locality]
In the heart of the old village is the solid stone church of Notre-Dame, call into the smaller Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs next door to see the beautiful 17th century altar painting by François Mimault.
The stone vaulted archway that leads to the old village marks the start of the Grand Rue - the main road of Annot since the 14th century.
Sights in Provence
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La Grotte de St Marcel d'Ardeche, St Paul Trois Chateau
Discovered in 1836 by a hunter whose ferret slid into a cavity! Since then 57 km of galleries have been explored and listed.
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Museum d'Histoire Naturelle
Located in Aix-en-Provence
The Muséum d'Aix was founded in 1838 by Henri Coquand, geologist ; it is one of the oldest in Provence.
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Calisson Museum
Located in Aix-en-Provence
Located not far from Aix centre, this museum and shop explains a little about the history of how this unusual sweet is made.
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Musée Calvet Fine Art and Archeology
Located in Avignon
The Calvet Museum today houses works of art from the 16th to 20th century, and holds innumerable collections donated or bequeathed by patrons, art lovers and collectors, such as Baron de Montfaucon, Esprit Requien, Noël Biret, the Montlaur family, and recently Marcel Puech.
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Carriere de Bibemus
Located in Aix-en-Provence
An old quarry, the Carrieres de Bibemus lies on the western slopes of Montagne St Victoire and is a place that inspired Paul Cezanne through out his life.
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Aroma Plantes lavender farm & distillery, Sault
This 80 hectare farm and distillery was originally created in 1978 and now welcomes visitors from around the world.
Events in [locality]
Annot has a regular market every Tuesday morning and a foire on Saturdays.
Dining in [locality]
The centre of Annot has a small collection of cafés, bars, bakeries and crêperies. If you want to feel like a true local then head to the Café du Commerce beside the river and sip on a pastis whilst watching the locals play petanque.
Restaurants in Provence
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La Cour d'Honneur Restaurant
Located in Avignon
Located right in the centre of Avignon on a well known shopping street is La Cour d'Honneur.
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L'Epice & Love Restaurant
Located in Avignon
This is a popular place with both locals and travellers. It has a small cosy interior so if you want to dine there, best to get there earlier rather than later.
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L'Atelier de Jean-Luc Rabanel Restaurant
This wonderful contemporary-styled restaurant features dishes that you may never have suspected to have existed.
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Mickael Feval Restaurant
This elegant restaurant is a must-visit for any lovers of modern cuisine and cooking methods. They embrace local produce and evolve their dishes according to the seasons.
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Le Temp de Vivre Restaurant, Uchaux
Le Temps de Vivre is situated in the little hamlet of Les Farjons just down the road from Uchaux.
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Les Chenes Verts Restaurant, Tourtour
This Michelin starred restaurant is situated on the outskirts of Tourtour and specialise in truffle dishes.
Things to do in [locality]
Call into the tourist office and pick up a town map, it has all the historical monuments listed on it so that you can go on a self-guided walking tour.
The Grès d'Annot is a site popular with rock climbers for its massive sandstone boulders, some more than 100m high. You can also see the impressive rock formations by following the Chambre du Roi; a hiking trail that starts behind the train station and loops round through forests back to the village. It takes around three hours and is reasonably flat.
There are also many other hikes signposted from the village that lead into the mountains and gorges of the Vallée du Var.
Things To Do in Provence
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Aqualand Waterpark, St Cyr Sur Mer
Aqualand in St Cyr Sur Mer offer you 11 wicked slides in a great park environment with drinks, food, and shops for you to enjoy.
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Domaine Le Sagittaire Waterpark, Nyons
In the depths of the Drôme countryside in the French Provence, this 5 Star Residential Campsite comes complete with an entirely heated Aquatic Complex, which is open to the public.
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Aqualand Waterpark, Sainte Maxime
This is probably the most family orientated waterpark on the Cote d'Azur. With several friendly slides, a fun pool, food and drinks, ice creams, and shopping all at hand.
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Wave Island Waterpark, Monteux
This huge waterpark covers an area of 4.7 hectares and includes a surf simulator, waterslides and a river feature called river land.
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Nyonsoleiado Waterpark, Nyons
Waterpark complex that contains a lagoon, 25m pool, whirlpool basin, waterslides for children and adults, cascades of water, rivers, paddling pools and much more.
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Aqualand Waterpark, Frejus
With numerous slides, including the King Cobra - unique is western Europe - this is the largest waterpark on the Cote d'Azur! Inludes a rest area, show area, clockroom, fast food, grill and pizzeria, ice creams, drinks, and shop.
Nightlife in [locality]
Bars & Clubs in Provence
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Le Cardeur Bacchus Bar
Located in Aix-en-Provence
This small bar has a nice seating area outside next to one of Aix's many fountains and it catches the sun late into the evening.
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Ajmi Jazz Club
Located in Avignon
The Ajmi has played host to numerous talented international Jazz artists, and the Ajmi is classed as one of the top 3 jazz venues in France and is located in the heart of Avignon next to the beautiful Palais des Papes.
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Mistral Nighclub
Located in Aix-en-Provence
The Mistral is Aix-en-Provence's answer to those looking for a trendy night out listening to the latest DJ's.
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Bokao's Nighclub
Located in Avignon
With a varied musical line-up, Bokao's combines good fun and great music.
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Le Longchamp Bar & Brasserie, Isle sur la Sorgue
Located in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
This place is a bar, restaurant and tabac all rolled into one, on the side of the river in the centre of Isle de la Sorgue.
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21 Chai d'Oeuvre Bar, Saint Remy de Provence
Located in Saint-Remy-de-Provence
This bar is located in the centre of Saint Remy de Provence. It has a good selection of wines by the glass, as well as bottles and champagne. They even serve charcuterie and cheese plates.
Chalets in [locality]
Chalets in Provence
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Les Hautes Prairies Campsite, Lourmarin
Located right in the centre of Provence with the feet of Lubéron. A 9 acre campsite with 165 spacious pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes.
Villas in [locality]
Villas in Provence
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La Villa Martine Villa, Saignon
A house for rent in Saignon, in the Vaucluse, with a swimming pool and large garden for the perfect holiday.
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La Grande Bergerie Villa, Bonnieux
Holiday house with pool located in the heart of the Luberon.
Price: €3,244
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Maison Saint Amant Villa
Exclusive family property situated at the top of the Dentelles de Montmirail, in an untouched natural environment.
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Carpe Diem Villa, Verbier
Superb 5-bedroom villa with swimming pool, ideal for 10 people, 5 minutes from the sea
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A L'orée Des Bois Villa, Menerbes
Magnificent stone-built property (165 sqm) to rent for the holidays in Ménerbes. Located on a domain of 2,1 ha not overlooked, the house is surrounded by greenery. You will also appreciate the superb view of the village, the hills and the Provencal countryside.
Price: €3,478
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La Colline Villa, Provenc
Welcome to La Colline, a beautiful villa made of honey-colored local stone, nestled among the Provençal vineyards, with breathtaking views of Mont Ventoux and the small hilltop villages in the distance. You will enjoy a magnificent and peaceful setting, the villa being the ideal place to spend a summer day by the swimming pool*, in absolute silence, except for the gentle song of the cicadas......
Price: €3,115
Holidays Rentals in [locality]
Holiday Rentals in Provence
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Provence Country Club Studio Apartment, Luberon
Located in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Located in the Residence Provence Country Club in the heart of the Luberon mountain, this studio enjoys a serene and tranquil atmosphere with close proximity to all the sites and attractions of this area of the South of France. An ideal location for nature and golf lovers.
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Julii Villa, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Located in Saint-Remy-de-Provence
This holiday rental with swimming pool will allow you to fully enjoy all the shops and restaurants of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the city centre is accessible on foot.
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Provence Country Club - 1 Bed Apartment, Luberon
Located in the Residence Provence Country Club in the heart of the Luberon mountain, this apartment enjoys a serene and tranquil atmosphere with close proximity to all the sites and attractions of this area of the South of France. An ideal location for nature and golf lovers.
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La Colline Villa, Provenc
Welcome to La Colline, a beautiful villa made of honey-colored local stone, nestled among the Provençal vineyards, with breathtaking views of Mont Ventoux and the small hilltop villages in the distance. You will enjoy a magnificent and peaceful setting, the villa being the ideal place to spend a summer day by the swimming pool*, in absolute silence, except for the gentle song of the cicadas......
Price: €3,115
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Carpe Diem Villa, Verbier
Superb 5-bedroom villa with swimming pool, ideal for 10 people, 5 minutes from the sea
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Horizon Villa, Eygalieres
House for rent with view of les Alpilles
Price: €4,402
Hotels in [locality]
Hotels in Provence
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Le Clos des Lavandes B&B
In the heart of the Luberon National Park, a beautiful and charming B&B welcomes you for a relaxing stay.
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L'Horloge Hotel
Located in Avignon
This lovely hotel is full of character and is ideally situated in historic 19th century building in the heart of Avignon's historic centre, just a short walk from all local attractions.
Price: €1,144
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Europe Hotel
Located in Avignon
The former residence of the Marquis of Graveson, the Hotel d'Europe is a luxury residence in the centre of Avignon.
Price: €3,465
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Hotel du Parc, Fontaine de Vaucluse
Located in the Luberon region in the heart of Provence this charming hotel sits in grounds of 6000m2.
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Auberge de Cassagne Spa Hotel
Located in Avignon
The Auberge de Cassagne consists of a converted family home, the Château de Cassagne (1850), plus it's outbuildings which have been transformed to provide luxurious accommodation close to the historic city of Avignon.
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La Mirande Hotel
Located in Avignon
La Mirande is a 5 star 'grand dame' luxury hotel that has been decorated with 18th century interiors, period tapestries and chandeliers.
Directions
Annot is situated between Nice and Dignes-les-Bains and can most easily be reached on the Train des Pignes, a slow-moving but very scenic train ride through the Var valley.
If you're driving, Annot is on route D908 just off the RN202.