Grimaud Winding roads Grimaud Winding roads and ancient staircases lead you to the top of a mountain where the ruins of an 11 th century, Grimadi-family owned (after whom the town is named) castle seem to spring straight from earth. Ponder 1000 years of history as you listen to wild nightingales sing and gaze out over the landscape and hilltop towns. The cobbled streets are awash with colour from plants and flowers that climb the walls and around the doors and windows of the old buildings while the ancient church bells ring, reminding us that time is passing despite the feeling it has stood still for centuries here. Grimaud © E. Bertrand Visit the local area by 2cv or Mehari with Deuch›moiselles run by Coglin-based Virginie Iafolla. I travelled in a 2CV named Brigitte, there’s also Jack (named after Virginie’s Jack Russell), and Camille named after her grandma “they’re a bit like children to me” she laughs. As we pootled and tooted tree-lined roads, everyone turned to smile - these cars bring out the happy in everyone. Lunch: La Halle de Grimaud: a small covered market, with fresh cooked street food and sandwiches make this a favourite with the locals, it feels like you’re taking a holiday when you eat lunch here! Cavalaire © lezbroz Cogolin, Virginie des Deuch'moiselles Le Petit Jacques Dinner: Le Petit Jacques, Grimaud. Recently re-opened under the new ownership of a young couple, you’ll find a warm welcome, excellent local, seasonal dishes cooked by Canadian chef Francis and an excellent wine list chosen by his partner Susanne. Everything is homemade, from the bread and sauces to the brioche and vanilla ice cream. Stay: B&B La Maison du Prince, in the rue du Knights Templier, Grimaud – named for the band of crusading knights who guarded this part of the coast in the 12 th century. Match a historic village house with a touch of interior design and you have a truly charming chambre d’hôtes. Owner and host Patrice Favière dreamed of having a small home Grimaud after a career in Paris, but fell hook, line and sinker for this B&B where the young Prince Rainier of Monaco often stayed when it was his childhood friend’s home. Featuring a superb collection of artworks, kitsch flea market finds and Prince Rainier memorabilia, and boasting the comfiest of beds, Maison du Prince is a unique and fabulous place to stay. Seaside Ambiance Thirty-eight beaches, secret coves, bustling ports and shining marinas, with calm and sparkling waters, coastal paths and glorious seaside towns… Pampelonne If you go looking for the beach where a nubile BB steamed up the camera lens in the 1956 movie ‘And God Created Woman’, in St-Tropez as many do, you won’t find it, but it’s not far away. The Bay of Pampelonne is made up of several small coves and bays which together form Ramatuelle beach. The 4.5km of beaches are a paradise for swimming and sun-bathing. This coastline also stood in for French Polynesia in the early days of film - it’s easy to see why with soft silky sand, and greenish-blue blue waves split by soft whitecaps. But there’s more to this place. For the last 30 years there has been a big effort to return the area to its natural state with dune protective measures. 90,000 native plants were dug up and conserved for several years to keep them safe but are now replanted and thriving, helping to stop erosion. The restaurants which once sprawled on the beach have been moved back slightly to enlarge the beach area and protect the precious sand. And small dune areas created to protect 12 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 13
