What to Visit
What to visit, that is the question and you have a wide choice. I will try to make some suggestions for different visits, as I do with my guests at my bed and breakfast, during breakfast. The closest of the perched villages is GOURDON, on a rocky perche only 10 minuted from the Mas de Frayere. From the remparts you have a splendid view of all the Riviera and you can even see Corsica on exceptionally beautiful days. The gardens of the castle can be visited by appointment. You will enjoy the Nid d'aigle (Eagle's Nest) with the panoramique view.
On the way to Gourdon, you can swing by Opio which is also perched, and visit the charming church and mill of the Brague for making olive oil and owned by the same family for 150 years. You can even buy the olive oil and olives from the region. In the summer the mill is open every day except Sunday.
If you are tempted by golfing, you have the Grande Bastide with an 18 hole course. You can also lunch at the Mas des Geraniums in a flowered garden.
Grasse, perfume capital only 10 km from the Mas de Frayere, is a city that will enchant you perfumers such as FRAGONNARD, MOLINARD and GALIMARD who are all open every day for visits in one or several languages. The used stone steps climbed by generations of perfumers will help you appreciate their passion for their work. You can not miss the MIP re-opened in 2009 which will allow you to enjoy the universe of perfumes, absolutely passionate. A stroll in the old town of Grasse, where you can eat at the Lou Candeloun (in the Michelin guide book) and Lou Pignatoun. The city is associated with the name of the famous restaurant the Bastide St. Antoine which deserves to be seen for the cadre famous gastronomy. The cathedral is being renovated and will allow you to admire paintings by Rubens and Fragonard. A squash tart is part of the 13 Christmas desserts and a specialty of the city as well as the beignet of squash flowers (in keeping with the flower theme of Grasse). Another discovery: the mills with olive tree parks such as the domain of Royrie on the road to Cabris (another perched village) where you will learn all there is to know about the olive oil of the region. There is also the Moulin St. Anne and the Moulin du Rossignol who will sell you extraordinary flavored olive oil.
Another visit that I recommend to my guests is that of St. Paul and Vence with the chapel Matisse and the old town of Vence, then continuing the same routr you will arive in TOURRETTES SUR LOUP, where by parking at the square you can visit the village filled with climbing streets, and a panoramic view. Tourrettes, midieval village, celebrates the violets all year long and very popular in March. The violet is the emblem of the village and used in the fabrication of numerous products that you will find in the sweets factory FLORIAN in Bar sur loup (neighboring Tourrettes) where a free visit will teach you all the secrets for making candied fruits, with fresh fruits of the region. While in Bar sur loup, dine at the Ecole des Filles which, as indicated by the name, is in the former girl's school.
You have done the tour and are nearly ready to our bed and breakfast so near, to spend a peaceful night and sweet dreams.
The next day, with sunshine of course, and the song of the locusts, why not spend a day in St. Tropez taking the boat to avoid traffic, one leaves in the morning around 10:00 and returns in the afternoon to Cannes. You will see the Estérel with it's red rocks, and while in Cannes take the time to stroll down the famous Croisette and see the Palais des festivals, the film festival every year in May draws crowds. The Suquet is the oldest part of the city with the Forville open market with fresh produce, and see as well the Rue Meynadier full of shops of all kinds to tempt you, and of course the famous Rue d'Antibes. Everyone asks me for the address for bouillabaisse (fish stew), and I do have 2, one in Cannes at Astoux (for seafood and shellfish) which exists forever, as I even went as a child. The other is in a fishing village called Theoule and the restaurant is Chez Philippe).
Come back to Cannes with the international fireworks Festival all summer to enjoy incredible performances. To avoid the traffic take the train from Mouans Sartoux or picnic on the beach, sure to please.
Between Cannes and the Mas de Frayere, is the village of Mougins where Picasso lived and drew in numerous artists such as Fernand Leger or Cocteau and Man Ray. In the chapel Notre Dame de Vie Picasso left his imprint, a charming village with steep streets and numerous restaurants like the mythical Moulin de Mougins or theAmandier.
You want to change atmosphere? Go to Monaco a must to visit once in your life, only 45 minutes from the bed and breakfast. The Port of monaco with magnificent yachts, the oceanographic musuem world renowned is open every day except the day of the Grand Prix of Monaco. See the exotic gardens of Princesse Grace or the Palace to see the changing of the guard. And do not forget the casinos like the Casino de Paris or the Loews. You are close to Menton and the Italian border where you can visit the market in Vintimille Friday morning or San Remo on Saturday. Return by the seaside, and visit Roquebrune Cap Martin (especially the old town Roquebrune in my opinion), Cap d'ail with sandy beaches. And do not forget Eze-sur-mer, another medieval village perched up high, with picturesque streets and a viaw of Corsica. There are 40 km of well-kept trails and even a trail leading straight down to the sea (a bus to return or a one and a half hour hike). An exotic garden is open every day, several restaurants such as the Le Mas Provençal or the Nid d'aigle as well as the famous Chèvre d'or (classed 5 stars).
The Mont-Bastide dominates Beaulieu-sur-mer and the bay of St. Jean. Stop at St Jean Cap Ferrat, an old fishing village now covered with homes of international celebrities, with a seaside trail 14 km, and on the port many restaurants. You must also see the Villa E. de Rotschild with 9 gardens each more beautiful than the precedent, la Roseraie is beautiful in Mai and June. In the summer concerts of classical music are held, open every day from 10:00 to 19:00 in the summer. You also have the villa Kérylos near Beaulieu.
Another idea leaving from the Mas de Frayere, is to visit Antibes by passing through BIOT, where you can see the glass blowers in action, as at the Verrerie or the Vieux Moulin. The Verrerie of Biot or the Verrerie du Val de Pome, are pleasant stops with restaurants to make a break before heading out to Antibes and Marineland, famous aquatic park, with seals, dolphins and killer whales that participate in breath-taking shows, and the newly added polar bears for whom a new cave was built. Antibes has a castle, Grimaldi, where the Picasso museum is situated on the ramparts, and as well the castle-fort Vauban, the old town where you will find many restaurants such as the Auberge Provençale, the Taverne or Safranier under the trees, a bouillabaisse at Bacon at the Cap d'Antibes. In July the jazz festival in the pine forest is world known and in August the fireworks festival like Cannes is enchanting, another enchanting night.
Imagine: on the beach in facing the sea fireworks to music. And you also have the market on Thursdays where you should find great deals!
On the way to Gourdon, you can swing by Opio which is also perched, and visit the charming church and mill of the Brague for making olive oil and owned by the same family for 150 years. You can even buy the olive oil and olives from the region. In the summer the mill is open every day except Sunday.
If you are tempted by golfing, you have the Grande Bastide with an 18 hole course. You can also lunch at the Mas des Geraniums in a flowered garden.
Grasse, perfume capital only 10 km from the Mas de Frayere, is a city that will enchant you perfumers such as FRAGONNARD, MOLINARD and GALIMARD who are all open every day for visits in one or several languages. The used stone steps climbed by generations of perfumers will help you appreciate their passion for their work. You can not miss the MIP re-opened in 2009 which will allow you to enjoy the universe of perfumes, absolutely passionate. A stroll in the old town of Grasse, where you can eat at the Lou Candeloun (in the Michelin guide book) and Lou Pignatoun. The city is associated with the name of the famous restaurant the Bastide St. Antoine which deserves to be seen for the cadre famous gastronomy. The cathedral is being renovated and will allow you to admire paintings by Rubens and Fragonard. A squash tart is part of the 13 Christmas desserts and a specialty of the city as well as the beignet of squash flowers (in keeping with the flower theme of Grasse). Another discovery: the mills with olive tree parks such as the domain of Royrie on the road to Cabris (another perched village) where you will learn all there is to know about the olive oil of the region. There is also the Moulin St. Anne and the Moulin du Rossignol who will sell you extraordinary flavored olive oil.
Another visit that I recommend to my guests is that of St. Paul and Vence with the chapel Matisse and the old town of Vence, then continuing the same routr you will arive in TOURRETTES SUR LOUP, where by parking at the square you can visit the village filled with climbing streets, and a panoramic view. Tourrettes, midieval village, celebrates the violets all year long and very popular in March. The violet is the emblem of the village and used in the fabrication of numerous products that you will find in the sweets factory FLORIAN in Bar sur loup (neighboring Tourrettes) where a free visit will teach you all the secrets for making candied fruits, with fresh fruits of the region. While in Bar sur loup, dine at the Ecole des Filles which, as indicated by the name, is in the former girl's school.
You have done the tour and are nearly ready to our bed and breakfast so near, to spend a peaceful night and sweet dreams.
The next day, with sunshine of course, and the song of the locusts, why not spend a day in St. Tropez taking the boat to avoid traffic, one leaves in the morning around 10:00 and returns in the afternoon to Cannes. You will see the Estérel with it's red rocks, and while in Cannes take the time to stroll down the famous Croisette and see the Palais des festivals, the film festival every year in May draws crowds. The Suquet is the oldest part of the city with the Forville open market with fresh produce, and see as well the Rue Meynadier full of shops of all kinds to tempt you, and of course the famous Rue d'Antibes. Everyone asks me for the address for bouillabaisse (fish stew), and I do have 2, one in Cannes at Astoux (for seafood and shellfish) which exists forever, as I even went as a child. The other is in a fishing village called Theoule and the restaurant is Chez Philippe).
Come back to Cannes with the international fireworks Festival all summer to enjoy incredible performances. To avoid the traffic take the train from Mouans Sartoux or picnic on the beach, sure to please.
Between Cannes and the Mas de Frayere, is the village of Mougins where Picasso lived and drew in numerous artists such as Fernand Leger or Cocteau and Man Ray. In the chapel Notre Dame de Vie Picasso left his imprint, a charming village with steep streets and numerous restaurants like the mythical Moulin de Mougins or theAmandier.
You want to change atmosphere? Go to Monaco a must to visit once in your life, only 45 minutes from the bed and breakfast. The Port of monaco with magnificent yachts, the oceanographic musuem world renowned is open every day except the day of the Grand Prix of Monaco. See the exotic gardens of Princesse Grace or the Palace to see the changing of the guard. And do not forget the casinos like the Casino de Paris or the Loews. You are close to Menton and the Italian border where you can visit the market in Vintimille Friday morning or San Remo on Saturday. Return by the seaside, and visit Roquebrune Cap Martin (especially the old town Roquebrune in my opinion), Cap d'ail with sandy beaches. And do not forget Eze-sur-mer, another medieval village perched up high, with picturesque streets and a viaw of Corsica. There are 40 km of well-kept trails and even a trail leading straight down to the sea (a bus to return or a one and a half hour hike). An exotic garden is open every day, several restaurants such as the Le Mas Provençal or the Nid d'aigle as well as the famous Chèvre d'or (classed 5 stars).
The Mont-Bastide dominates Beaulieu-sur-mer and the bay of St. Jean. Stop at St Jean Cap Ferrat, an old fishing village now covered with homes of international celebrities, with a seaside trail 14 km, and on the port many restaurants. You must also see the Villa E. de Rotschild with 9 gardens each more beautiful than the precedent, la Roseraie is beautiful in Mai and June. In the summer concerts of classical music are held, open every day from 10:00 to 19:00 in the summer. You also have the villa Kérylos near Beaulieu.
Another idea leaving from the Mas de Frayere, is to visit Antibes by passing through BIOT, where you can see the glass blowers in action, as at the Verrerie or the Vieux Moulin. The Verrerie of Biot or the Verrerie du Val de Pome, are pleasant stops with restaurants to make a break before heading out to Antibes and Marineland, famous aquatic park, with seals, dolphins and killer whales that participate in breath-taking shows, and the newly added polar bears for whom a new cave was built. Antibes has a castle, Grimaldi, where the Picasso museum is situated on the ramparts, and as well the castle-fort Vauban, the old town where you will find many restaurants such as the Auberge Provençale, the Taverne or Safranier under the trees, a bouillabaisse at Bacon at the Cap d'Antibes. In July the jazz festival in the pine forest is world known and in August the fireworks festival like Cannes is enchanting, another enchanting night.
Imagine: on the beach in facing the sea fireworks to music. And you also have the market on Thursdays where you should find great deals!