| Fayence |
| France > Provence Alpes Cote D'Azur > Var > Fayence |
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Located mid way beween the mountains and the sea is the small town of Fayence, Well placed between Draguignan and Grasse it makes a good base for exploring the surrounding area, and is well supplied with accommodation and restaurants. The Fayence-Tourettes airfield, once a military zone, is now one of France’s most important gliding centres, and flights can easily be arranged. |
| History |
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Fayence was constructed as part of a belt of defensive strongholds to protect the region from invasion from the sea, though the original chateau was pulled down in the 18th century. Only the ruins of a tower remain but it is worth climbing up to the place du chateau for a splendid panorama of the mountains from the terrace. One remaining gate has survived from the original fortifications, the so-called Saracen gate (presumably intended to keep the Saracens out rather than in) It dates from the 13th century and some of the original carving and machicolations can still be seen. |
| Eglise St-Jean Baptiste |
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The old town of winding streets and stairways is clustered round the 18th century Eglise St-Jean-Baptiste, an imposing building with frescoes and an 18th century baroque marble altar by local mason, Dominique Fossati, Fayence is a big centre of local crafts and there are lots of workshops to visit as you stroll around the streets; pottery, stone and wood-carving are all undergoing a revival and the big Saturday morning market is a good place to find a wide selection of wares. From Fayence you can explore the surrounding region, pretty villages lost in the vineyards, Romanesque churches and mountain walks with stunning views. Two kilometers outside the town is la Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Cypres, a 13th century vaulted Romanesque chapel encircled by tall cypress trees, built on the site of an old Gallo-Roman villa. |
| Markets and Fetes |
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Market days: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Copyright © 2006 Rosemary Bailey Copyright Images : Informationfrance 2007 |
| Suggested Hotels |
| Chateau de Berne (Lorgues) |
| Four Seasons (Tourrettes) |
| Le Moulin de La Camandoule |
| St Endreol Golf & Spa |
| Suggested Restaurants |
| La Table d'Yves |
| Le Castellaras |
| Les Temps des Cerises |
| Moulin de la Camandoule |
| Holiday Apartment Rentals |
| Towns and Places Var (83) |
| Aups |
| Bandol |
| Bormes-Les-Mimosas |
| Cavalaire-sur-Mer |
| Draguignan |
| Fayence |
| Frejus |
| Grimaud |
| Hyeres |
| Le Lavandou |
| Le Rayol-Canadel |
| Port Grimaud |
| Salernes |
| St Tropez |
| Toulon |
