© seesainttropez.com
© SeeSaintTropez.com
Cogolin, Golfe de Saint Tropez
Charming old village famous for the manufacturing of cork and pipes
Cogolin is a charming old village in the hills above Saint Tropez. There is also Port Cogolin which is a modern, purpose-built marina filled by beautiful boats.
Cogolin, like so many villages in this part of the world, is a town of several parts and with several distinct characters.
The old town is located several kilometres back from the coast, whilst down by the sea there are two marina villages - Port Cogolin is the older, smaller (and more charming) port, whereas Marines de Cogolin is a more modern 'seaside village' with a large yacht port and the feel of a created but pleasant Provençal-style town.
The older part of Cogolin is built on a small hill (cougoul) where the main town hall square is located, plus the clock tower and cemetery.
The town has lots of the little smoking pipe shops that Cogolin is famous for, as well as other crafts such as carpet-weaving, reeds for musical instruments, pottery and ceramics.
Down on the coast the ports of Cogolin are full of cafés, restaurants and boutiques, good for a wander and a long lunch looking out over the yachts. Many events are held throughout the year in Cogolin such as exhibitions, flea markets, concerts and festivals, giving this Provençal village-of-three-parts a very welcoming feel.
Sights & Attractions in [locality]
The old town is dominated by a 14th century clock tower on the hill, which is all that remains from the Wars of Religion when everything else was destroyed.
Of interest is also the 16th century Saint-Sauveur (Saint-Etienne church), which has a restored sundial on it with a Provençal inscription which reads "We each have our own sun".
As you wander through the town you'll also notice many dual street name signs with both the ancient and modern names, the most amusing of which is the Rue Rompe Cul, meaning 'fall on your butt'. Why? Because it was the steepest street. It's a common street name in France when there's worn, slippery cobblestones to be navigated.
There's also the Raimu Museum celebrating the French actor's film career and the Templier Museum exploring the history of the Knights Templar in Provence.
Beaches in [locality]
There is a beach at Les Marines-des Cogolin which has golden sands and watersports (including sailing lessons) and a lovely view of Saint Tropez. It also has picnic tables, snack bar beach volleyball and a beach restaurant.
Things to do in [locality]
A lot of the activities around Cogolin are water-based, including sailing, chartering a boat for the day or relaxing on the nearby beach.
With the thickly forested Maures hills rising up behind the town, there are also great hiking opportunities such as the GR51 'Balcony de Côte d'Azur' long range hiking trail that passes by Cogolin, plus other walking and mountain-biking trails within this forest.
When it comes to organised activities, there's mini-golf, tennis and bike hire along the coast. For entertainment, there's the theme park Azure Park at nearby Gassin, with rollercoasters, waterslides and a ferris wheel.
For a more grown-up day out Riviera style, hit the Saint Tropez Polo Club, or head to the nearby vineyard of Domaine de la Giscle for a tour and some wine tasting.
Nightlife in [locality]
When it comes to nightlife, Port Cogolin has a few small clubs and late opening bars by the marinas, but in reality, nearby Saint Tropez is the destination for a spectacular night out.
Directions
For those relying on public transport, you can take bus no.7601 from Saint Raphael or Saint Tropez, although it will drop you off by the 'Cogolin-Foux' stop and you will have to swap to the no.7702 line running from Les Arcs to get to the old part of town.
