Major city · France
Cotignac
Half a day to one night: a Provençal hill village with a cliffside troglodyte chapel, a lively square and a wine co-op. Not a base for the Riviera.
Cotignac is a small Var village set against a dramatic tufa cliff, 50 km from the Mediterranean. Its main draw is the 17th-century Notre-Dame-de-Grâce chapel built into the rock, a shaded plane-tree square and a wine co-op. Most visitors stop for lunch and a walk, or stay one quiet night between Aix-en-Provence and the coast.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot)
- Airports
- MRS · NCE
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cotignac17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cotignac, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 European emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMRS Marseille Provence (About 1 h 15 min drive).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable end to end in under 30 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5)
- Budget bedGîte (self-catering, up to 4), a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per room€200 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MRS Marseille Provence (About 1 h 15 min drive) · NCE Nice Côte d'Azur (About 1 h 30 min drive)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Apr (7 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cotignac: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable end to end in under 30 minutes. A car is needed to reach Cotignac and explore the Var.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Car via D22 and A8, about 1 h
Markets, Cours Mirabeau and Cézanne's studio.
Saint-Tropez
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car via D13 and A8, about 1 h 15 min
Summer traffic is heavy; go early.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Car to Hyères (about 1 h), then ferry
Full day; check ferry times.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Village centre
A handful of B&Bs and guesthouses; everything walkable.
Surrounding countryside
Gîtes and villas with pools; car needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × €120 | €120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €120 | €240 |
| Wine co-op tasting2 × €5 · check | €10 |
| Lunch at a café on the square2 × €18 | €36 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €41 |
| Trip total≈ €224 per person per day, bed included | €447≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Glass of local wine (Côtes de Provence) | €4–7 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Lunch menu (plat du jour) | €14–20 (≈ US$17–25) |
| Bottle from the wine co-op | €5–15 (≈ US$6–18) |
| Parking (all day) | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking is limited in summer; use the free lot at the entrance.
- The chapel is a steep 10-minute walk up the cliff; wear sturdy shoes.
- Many shops and restaurants close on Monday (check).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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CotignacCotignac
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- European emergency112
Embassy
The nearest consulates are in Marseille (US, UK, Canada, Australia). Embassies are in Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Marseille airport → Cotignac (taxi): about €100–130 (≈ US$120–160)
- Nice airport → Cotignac (taxi): about €130–160 (≈ US$160–190)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ? — How much? (kom-byen)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twah-let)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-syon, seel voo pleh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cotignac. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Cotignac
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