On the road of Provence's wines

I'll take you in the Region PACA for an oenotouristic getaway on the Route des Vins Wines of Provence To rediscover this terroir that I love so much by this time going to meet the winemakers who share their passion with me, but also the love they have for the art, in all its forms, that sublimes these renowned domains. And of course there are the fantastic postcard-like landscapes between land and sea, as well as these wonderful little typical villages that make the region’s wealth. Go on, let’s go!

La Londe-les-Maures in the Var

Château Maravenne

We start this wine route in the Var, in Londe-les-Maures, and the first stage of the road trip is the Château Maravenne. Located in the first foothills of the Massif des Maures, between Hyères and Bormes-les-Mimosas, this domaine offers a beautiful range of wines thanks to its 30 hectares of vines planted on a very specific soil, rich in clay and schist. Aware of the respect for the land and its traditions, the entire operation is conducted in organic agriculture.

Yes, Château Maravenne is home to many wines that regularly receive gold medals in prestigious competitions; but it is also a beautiful tourist destination with its 5 gîtes and 3 gîtes with swimming pools. There is also a tasting room where you can, of course, buy the wines from the estate, but also local products (cured meats, etc.).

But for me, the big highlight of Château Maravenne is this breathtaking view of the Mediterranean, which can be admired at sunset from the vineyards. It’s an absolutely unforgettable moment, if you happen to be in the area 🙂

Domaine Figuière

We still stay in Londe-les-Maures, but this time we're going to Figuière, a beautiful family estate of 125 hectares of vineyards classified in the Côtes de Provence AOC. Figuière is a state of mind, of freshness, of the «beautiful» and strong values. It was Alain Combard who chose in 1979 to adopt organic viticulture, placing great importance on maintaining this land free of all chemical products. Needless to say, this was quite avant-garde and marginal at the time. Whether in the creation of the wines or even the labels on the bottles, you can always find this simplicity and natural elegance.

Figuière is also a multitude of experiences to be lived in a remarkable setting. It all begins in the cellar where you can taste the wines of the estate, buy local specialties from the terroir, and also discover the works of artists whose works are regularly exhibited. There is also this beautiful restaurant, subtly decorated with taste, that combines the contemporary with the natural setting of the estate and the Provençal touch. A success. There are many very nice events organized throughout the year, such as the Figuière Festival that highlights contemporary theater and live performances. But there are also very convivial thematic and gastronomic evenings where you can meet outdoors around a brazier to savor the chef’s specialties. This is the art of living in Figuière!

Take a walk in the domain! It is possible to rent electric-assisted mountain bikes to discover the domain with complete freedom, with the help of a road book that will provide you with many useful information. The best part? You can even offer you a picnic basket, delivered on one of the stages of the walk. The best part?

Drive in a 2CV to Grimaud and Gassin

This is an atypical way to explore the roads of Provence: aboard a beautiful vintage 2CV! That’s the company Deuch’Moiselles, Based in Cogolin, they offer this really nice concept. Accompanied by a guide, we went to the Gulf of Saint Tropez, with a detour through two of my favorite villages: Grimaud and Gassin.

Do you know it? If not, a visit is in order 🙂

Released in Pointu in the Gulf of Saint Tropez

After the 2CV drive, we headed to Port Grimaud to board a punt with Sonia from the Beyond The Wine company, who offers trips out to sea with tastings of rosé and local specialties. The punt is the quintessential Provençal traditional boat. It’s a convivial and truly unforgettable moment, especially at the end of the day, when the sun comes to illuminate the colorful facades of Saint Tropez and Port Grimaud!

 

Kayaking on the Argens river near the rock of Roquebrune

Let’s get up (very) early! But it’s for a good cause… I went with Erwan from Azur Wine Tours to the Base du Rocher de Roquebrune to pick up kayaks and head to the Argens, towards the famous rock of Roquebrune. The scenery is breathtaking and the experience is absolutely worth having if you’re passing by. Instead of having a tasting of Provence wines at sunset as Erwan usually does, this time we had a little breakfast with a view.

View of the Blavet gorges

To enjoy a magnificent view of the Blavet gorges, come here: point of view gorges du Blavet

The view is simply breathtaking! For those who have more time, take advantage of it to go on a beautiful hike or climb for those who love extreme sensations 🙂

For more information about the must-see attractions in the area, visit the website at the tourism office of Roquebrune-sur-Argens

The Château Sainte Roseline

Now I'll take you to discover the famous estate Château Sainte Roseline, Located in Les Arcs-sur-Argens. The wines produced here have a very good reputation, but what attracts many visitors every year is the famous Chagall fresco, painted in the parish chapel that houses the body and relics of Sainte Roseline. There are also works by Diego Giacometti and Jean Bazaine. It is pleasant to stroll through the flowering cloister and the grounds in general to discover the contemporary art works that blend perfectly with this typically Provençal setting. There are many events organized throughout the year: concerts, afterwork tasting evenings, temporary art exhibitions, etc…

A must-see if you want to savor exceptional wines and get your eyes filled with them.

The Commanderie of Peyrassol

For this final stage of this road trip through the wine country of Provence, I am at the Commandery of Peyrassol
This is a wine region founded more than 800 years ago by the Knights Templar, but the great peculiarity here is that there are more than 100 works of contemporary art created by some of the most renowned artists such as Buren, Cesar, Plensa, Raynaud, Niki de Saint Phalle, etc… 
Before coming, I just expected to discover some works in the vineyards, but no! There was a new, contemporary and sumptuous building created to accommodate new works. It is the perfect harmony between the old architecture of the estate and the modern dimension of this new exhibition space, which has nothing to envy to the many foundations of contemporary art… It is simply impressive. A discovery that will appeal to both the uninitiated and the most avid enthusiasts of contemporary art.

The Peyrassol manor is also one of the flagship wineries of Provence, producing renowned wines that are crafted with finesse and precision for a wonderful result. A visit to the reception and tasting room, which has been completely renovated recently, is a must. From mid-April to mid-October, it is possible to stay at the estate in the guest rooms and thus continue the «Peyrassol» experience. From June 15 to November 11, it is possible to come for lunch at the «Chez Jeanette» restaurant or at the «Bistrot de Lou» to savor delicious local cuisine in harmony with the seasons.

Article created in collaboration with Atout France, CRT Provence Alpes Côte-d’Azur and Vins de Provence

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