1^st stage: Lake House

The Intercommunal Tourist Office of Pays de Fayence welcomes you on the banks of Saint-Cassien Lake. Located on departmental road 37, this place is a hub of information for the 9 villages of Pays de Fayence: heritage, activities and local produce for the surrounding area. The 3D tabletop presentation of the region is very instructive, with a description of the geology and historical evolution of the landscape. There’s a multimedia space with virtual reality headsets for total immersion in the rivers that flow into the lake. Authentic local produce (honey, wines, jams, wines, etc.) from local producers is showcased here. Outside, the terrace offers a fabulous view of Saint-Cassien Lake!

2^nd stage: Saint-Cassien Lake. A real source of summer freshness, Saint-Cassien Lake is the most popular destination of Pays de Fayence.

There are lots of activities on offer at this 420-hectare expanse of water: water sports, pedalos, inflatables, fishing, rowing, walking and restaurants. Initially intended for the production of hydroelectric energy, the lake has become a coveted, yet fragile, leisure area. It is up to each and every visitor to respect the site, and its fauna and flora. The lake, with its very distinctive shape, extends over 4 communes: Tanneron, Montauroux, Callian and Les Adrets de l’Estérel. Water flows into it from the Maraval and Fontesante streams to the south, from the Riou Fer to the east, from the Ermite, Camiole and Biançon to the west, and from the Siagne, via a diversion canal, to the north.

To the east of the lake, the Fondurane Ecological Reserve, managed by the Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels (Natural Spaces Conservatory) of Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, is home to a wide variety of birds (182 species observed) as well as the European pond turtle and the red-rumped swallow. It is also one of three locations where the Lucombe Oak and Turkey Oak can be found. The site is very accessible to families. After 30 minutes’ walk into the reserve, there is an observatory where you can discover the many species that live around this part of the lake.

3^rd stage: Tourrettes, where we met artist Anthony Vignadocchio.

An attractive hilltop village with narrow streets, Tourrettes is well worth a visit. From Place de l’Horloge, at the top, you can use the viewpoint indicator to admire the panorama of the base of the Maures and Estérel Massifs and the Mediterranean in the distance.

Follow the little steps with the centuries-old handrails, peppered with vaulted passageways. Go round in circles and lose yourself in the narrow streets and in the imaginations of the hundreds of artists, who have left their mark on the walls and doors of the village, creating an open-air museum for you to discover at your leisure.

Tourrettes is a village full of character with interwoven narrow streets. It is also a hub for creative and inspired artists. We met Anthony VIGNADOCCHIO*, a young self-taught, inventive, manual artist, who transforms simple pieces of wood into genuine works of art! He is also drawn to iron and stone. He plays with various techniques to twist the wood or engrave it by electrical injunction, he welds, slots, resins and hastens to underline each of his unique pieces, freshly completed, with a phrase that brings you just a little bit closer to his inspiration.

*Atelier Art’Typique 39, grande rue – 06 76 56 14 12

4^th stage at the “La Pause Tourrettane” restaurant

A haven of peace in the heart of the village serving bistro cuisine, where everything is homemade from fresh, seasonal produce. Its chalkboard menu, which changes according to the produce available, is an epicurean delight. Located in the Town Hall Square, with impressive views of the castle and the plain, it is a must-see! 1 Place de la Mairie, 83440 Tourrettes  – Tel.: +33 (0)4 94 84 04 35

5^th stage: discover Fayence

Edith from the Tourist Office presents Fayence and what’s not to be missed in the village! In the heart of the narrow, picturesque streets of old Fayence, you’ll love discovering the former communal bread oven, known as the “Four du Mitan”. The agricultural ecomuseum and tool conservatory is located in a former flour mill dating back to the 13^th century.

For panoramic views with viewpoint indicator, head to the Clock Tower, with its magnificent belfry. Lastly, the gliding centre offers you the opportunity to soar above the region, and why not if you fancy taking to the skies!

6^th stage: discover the “Val d’Iris” vineyard at Seillans

In Seillans, one of France’s most beautiful villages, (walled village, labyrinth of narrow, cobblestone streets and vaulted passageways), artists and artisans have chosen to set up their “workshops” at the former “bouchonnerie”, as well as here and there within the village. The Maison Waldberg is home to some permanent collections, including those of Ernst, Tanning and Apenzeller.

In this village par excellence, one vineyard (appellation Côte de Provence) is renowned: Val d’Iris. There, its owner, Anne Dor, produces typical Côte de Provence wines, characterised by the soil and the sun. Beautifully structured wines, really light, in her words: solid reds, delicate rosés and round and powerful whites… Val d’Iris takes its name from a former iris plantation of the Grasse perfumery. The vineyard comprises 8.5 contiguous hectares, on well-exposed hillsides. The soil, which is both very stony and clayey, provides the vines with the warmth needed for perfect maturation of the grapes, and sufficient water reserves to support the long dry summers of the Mediterranean fringe.

Weedkillers are not used at Val d’Iris: the soil is maintained mechanically, disturbing it as little as possible. So come and walk among their vines, where you will see the varied flora of natural weed growth.