Photo by Erin Lubin
Where in the world is Carcès?
Carcès is an unspoiled village in the rosé wine-producing region of Provence. Located in the south of France, half-way between Nice and Marseille just north of the A8 auto route, the village is about an hour and a half from Nice, Marseille, Arles, Avignon; an hour from St. Tropez and the beaches of the Cote d'Azur, to Toulon or Hyeres to the south; an hour from the dramatic Gorges du Verdon to the north. In just 45 minutes, drive west to Aix-en-Provence to walk in the footsteps of Cezanne. Drive just two hours for lunch in Italy. Or, stay 'home.' Fishing out the back door; horseback riding down the road; biking in vineyards and through picturesque villages nearby; the Lac de Carcès is within hiking or biking distance. All in all, a great location for a memorable vacation rental.
To Do
Carcès and other picturesque villages nearby offer lively, engaging cultural activities on a regular basis: music concerts in medieval buildings, art openings, flea markets in village squares, market days that have occurred in the same villages on the same days for hundreds of years. Within a few minutes' drive, you will find half a dozen restaurants ranging from local specialties to the highly recommended cuisine that makes the south of France so appealing.
Market Days
Monday
- Flayosc: Traditional Provencal market in central Flayosc. Morning only.
Tuesday
- Lorgues: Large general and Provencal market in Lorgues high street. Open morning only.
- Montmeyan: Outdoor general market, open morning only.
- Cotignac: Weekly general market.
Wednesday
- Aups: General Provençal market, fruit and vegetables and a range of stalls selling food, clothes, gifts and household items. Generally more stalls on Saturday than Wednesday. Morning only.
- Vidauban: Local market selling food and general goods. Morning only.
Thursday
- Bargemon: Local market open morning only.
- Les Salles sur Verdon: General market with Provencal goods and foods. Morning only.
Friday
- Aiguines: Market in the centre of the village.
- La Motte en Provence: Local market selling food and general goods. Open morning only.
- Monferrat: Local market open mornings only.
- Montmeyan: Outdoor general market, open morning only.
- Toulon: Organic food market held every Friday morning at Place Dupuy du Lome, Quartier de Mourilon.
Saturday
- Aups: General Provençal market, fruit and vegetables and a range of stalls selling food, clothes, gifts and household items. Usually more stalls on Saturday than Wednesday. Morning only.
- Callas: Provençal market, open morning only.
- Carcès: Mediaeval village with a general market. Morning only.
Sunday
- Bauduen: General market with food and other goods. Morning only.
- Le Muy: General market every Sunday, morning only. HUGE.
- Vinon sur Verdon: General market, morning only.
- Salernes: Weekly market
Daily except Sunday
- Draguignan: Market in central Draguignan, open morning only.
- Les Arcs sur Argens: Local market open mornings only.
- Toulon: Market in central Toulon. Open Monday afternoon and all day Tuesday-Saturday. General goods and food. At Place Louis Blanc.
A Vacation Home for all Seasons
- The grape harvest in early fall
- Mushroom hunts
- The olive crush in late fall and early winter (one of France’s few remaining water-driven mills is just down the street)
- Truffles markets in nearby villages in December and January
- Almond trees blossoming in February
- Yellow carpets of Colza in March
- Mimosas in bloom in March and April
- Poppies in April and May
Activities Nearby
- The Cote d'Azur
- Hiking (out the back door and beyond)
- Rock climbing (the Gorges du Verdon)
- Petanque [Boules] – around the corner
- Biking – out the front door
- Tennis – a stroll away
- Fishing – rivers & lakes everywhere
- Hunting in season
- Horseback riding nearby
- Golf – 30 minutes away
- Shopping, restaurants, live theater, concerts, museums, sightseeing at ancient historical and religious sites, swimming, kayaking, fishing, sailing, art & music, snow sports an hour away in winter, French lessons, cooking lessons.