Pretty villages in the Var

After a bit of a lazy weekend, we figured it was time to get of our bums and do something. We opted against going skiing, since chains were mandatory due to the snow, apparently (really ought to buy some…). So instead; we opted for a bit of tourism. There’s a trio of apparently picturesque villages (Fayence, Bargemon and Seillans), just behind the massif d’Esterel, in the Var department; which we’ve been wanting to visit for a while now. So we figured we might as well do it this weekend.

After a 40-minute drive, we arrived at the first of the three; Fayence. It’s the biggest one; and the most famous one. It’s actually quite a large village; with a lot of villas and houses surrounding the centre. Even the old part of the village is quite spread out. The village itself was actually nothing special; I guess we’ve seen one perched Provencal village too many over the last couple of years ;-). There was quite a nice view over the village and the surrounding countryside from a terrace at the top of the village. And Fayence does feel like a pretty animated place; a pity about the cloudy weather…

We quickly headed on to the next village; Seillans. This one we much preferred to Fayence. It’s built on a steep slope, with its narrow streets climbing up to the castle ruins, right at the top of the village. It’s a very charming little place indeed; with its steep, cobble-stoned, narrow streets. Obviously we’re not the only ones who have fallen for Seillans’ charms; Max Ernst (you know, the famous German artist; considered to be one of the pioneers of the Dada movement and Surrealism) spent the last few years of his life here.

We continued our little tour in Bargemon, the third, and least famous of the trio. By now, our stomachs were grumbling, so we started our visit by having lunch in a cosy-looking little restaurant in the old town. The food didn’t disappoint either; we both had some tasty fish for a main course, accompanied by a tasty local wine. After the meal; we had a quick walk around the old town (Bargemon is a pleasant enough village, but nothing to set it apart from all the other pretty Provencal villages…).

We finished off the afternoon back in Cagnes-sur-Mer with a visit at Sandra’s at Stephane’s; for a bit of “Galette des Rois”. The Galette is a nice French tradition – it is supposed to be eaten around Epiphany. The idea is that the galette contains a bean (in modern days replaced by a plastic figurine); and the one who gets it becomes “king of the day” - and has to buy the next galette (this is the part of the tradition that I particularly like ;-). The galette itself is delicious, made up of flaky puff pastry layers with a dense center of frangipane.

This time; we had the brioche version; which I’ve never had before. It was good; although I have to admit I prefer the traditional frangipane version (I must be a traditionalist?). Antoine was there with his kids as well (I am full of admiration for this man; who has five kids; yet seems to be very young at heart); so we had a very lively afternoon as well. And great to see little Tristan (who was born just before Christmas) growing up, as well!