Cotignac’s history can be traced back to Roman times however came alive particularly in the 1100s with the building of the Chapel St.Martin. The village was known for the production of silk, and for leather-tanning (like many others in the region from the 1400s), and became a celebrity hide-out in the 1950’s with the coming-to-fame of actresses such as Brigitte Bardot and French singer Joe Dassin who built a house here. Cotignac is still known as “Le Petit St Tropez” but without the “bling” and with an authentic Provençale flavour. Local agriculture today concentrates around the production of fabulous wine and tasty olive oil. The mild weather and stunning limestone cliffs attract tourists from all over France and from around the world.

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The village boasts twoe bakeries, a butcher, a fishmonger, a wine cooperative and a general store. We recommend trying the excellent Mirabeau wines produced by Stephen and Jeany Cronk, available from their store by the Credit Agricole bank in the main square. There is an excellent supermarket just five minute’s drive down the road. In summer months, the village really comes to life with antique stores and art galleries throwing open their doors in the side streets. Activity spills out into the main square under the plane trees where locals and visitors enjoy café life, restaurants and weekly markets.