Mons & St. Cezaire

 

Mons

Mons is one of the highest villages in the Var and is a favourite with locals and tourists alike for the stunning views it has of the Siagne valley, and of the mountains along the Cote d’Azur to the Mediterranean islands of Lérins. On a very clear day it is even possible to see Corsica. Mons is a classic perched village and is built on top of an enormous rock and the village stretches along this spur of rock on different levels.

      


This is a peaceful, and welcoming village that seems to escape the crowds. It has picturesque streets and an attractive central square with delightful fountain and large plain tree shading the café and restaurant tables. At the southern end of town there is a large boules area with landmark indicator pointing out the peaks and other visible points in the distance. A tourist information and art expositions centre, in lighly-coloured native stone, can be found on the edge of this area.

St. Cezaire-sur-Siagne

The road trip to St Cezaire from either Mons or from Callian is very rewarding. Both roads descend into the Gorges de la Siagne and offer stunning views of steep rocky cliffs rising up from the wooded valleys. St. Cezaire sits perched high on the edge of the river Siagne and is endowed with a tremendous panorama over the valley and the forested hills to the west and the north.


Driving in from Grasse the village does not seem to be characteristically perched as it is spread out along the flat plains behind it and is less condensed. However, the streets become narrower and more winding above the cliffs. At the centre of the village is a huge church dating to 1720 and is surrounded by terrace cafés, shops, post office and an interesting fountain of green metal.  Facing south the medieval-style houses run parallel to the 12th century Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Sardaigne and its cemetery. The chapel is in the grounds of the cemetery and houses a Roman sarcophagi just inside the door.

To the north of the fountain are the remains of the 14th century château with the Mairie (town hall) in the chateau. Some of the ancient fortifications can still be seen integrated into the walls of this building and two of the old ‘portes’ can be found along the cliff side of the village.

Following the signs for the ‘Point de Vue’ you will pass the Place de la Liberté with a huge horse-chestnut tree and along the ‘Voie Romaine’. The ‘Place du 8 Mai 1945’ has the viewing point and is a terrace with single olive tree and panoramic table. It is worth taking the time to find this spot for the stunning views