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Gassin

Visit Gassin (Provence, France)

Gassin and Ramatuelle are two lovely villages perched up high above the Mediterranean Sea on the inhospitable rocky land above. Gassin is also classified as a ‘most beautiful village of France’.

The two villages are closely linked and on the St Tropez peninsula just south of Port Grimaud and St Tropez. The villages were originally created to allow the locals to escape the pirates who were numerous in the Mediterranean waters.

Explore Gassin

When you arrive in Gassin start your visit at the orientation table near the highest parking area. From here you have a magnificent view of the Bay of St Tropez and the surrounding hills. You can see a great deal of coastline including La Croix Valmer, Saint Tropez, Griamud, St Maxime and Les Issambres.

Continue walking along the medieval terrace - the Promenade Dei Barri and you come to some more splendid views and a few very nice restaurants with tables set out to look over the panoramic views. This really is an unbeatable spot to stop for lunch.

Wandering round the ancient streets of Gassin is a treat. Look out for the old well and the street called l’Androuno - claimed to be the narrowest street in the world. (I decided to walk round rather than try and squeeze through!). Everywhere you walk the delicious scent of Jasmine hangs in the air.

In the past five cork makers worked full time during the 19th century and silk worms were also raised here before being sent to nearby Cogolin (a village still renowned for its arts and crafts). The other main trade was charcoal making by the village 'bousquetiers'.

Interestingly the new village which has been built below the medieval village has been awarded the first prize for the best new town in Europe. It was designed by Francois Spoerry who also won acclaim for designing the nearby Port Grimaud. It is true it has been very well designed using a style based on but not replicating the style of the medieval village above.

Attractions nearby

There are numerous beaches close to Gassin, including the famous beach at Pampelonne, and some parts of the attractive coast fall under the protection of the Conservatoire de Littoral, an organisation established to preserve the flora and fauna along the coast.

Photos of Gassin

Click any picture to start the gallery

Tourist classifications for Gassin

Gassin is classified as a one of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages)

Address: Gassin, Saint-Tropez, Draguignan, Var, Provence, 83580 || GPS: latitude 43.2297, longitude 6.58583

Map of Gassin & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Grimaud 7km; Cavalaire-sur-Mer 8km; Sainte-Maxime 10km; Bormes-les-Mimosas 21km; Roquebrune-sur-Argens 23km; Frejus 26km; Saint-Raphael 26km; Les-Arcs-sur-Argens 27km; Agay 31km; Cap Esterel 32km; Lorgues 35km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Gassin.
See Provence and Var (the region and department for Gassin) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Gassin, France

• Jardin Germaine l’Hardy-Denonain - remarkable garden
• Grimaud - recommended detour (7km)
• Domaine du Rayol - remarkable garden (12km)
• Bormes-les-Mimosas - ville fleurie 4* (22km)
• Frejus Cathedral cloisters - national monument (26km)
• Frejus - town of art and history (26km)
• Cathédrale Saint Léonce (Frejus) - religious monument (26km)
• Eglise de St Raphaël (Saint-Raphael) - religious monument (26km)
• Parc zoologique de Fréjus - zoo or wildlife park (30km)
• Jardin d’oiseaux tropicaux - remarkable garden (30km)

The French version of this page is at Gassin (Francais)