Cotignac, Medieval commune in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Cotignac is a settlement in Provence that sits at the foot of an 80-meter limestone cliff and features winding narrow streets lined with stone buildings. The village layout includes eighteen decorative fountains distributed throughout, which function as gathering points and visual landmarks throughout the streets.
Defensive towers were built on the cliff above the village during the 12th century to guard the settlement from invasion. This fortification indicates the strategic importance the location held in the medieval landscape.
The settlement hosts numerous galleries and artist studios scattered through its streets, where creators work with local materials and techniques. This artistic community gives the village a creative character that shapes how people gather and spend their time here.
A local market operates on Cours Gambetta where vendors sell fresh produce and regional goods directly to visitors. The surrounding countryside contains several wine estates available for exploration, making it easy to plan a broader visit to the area.
The eighteen fountains date from the 17th century and still serve as water sources and informal gathering spots shaded by plane trees. These historic installations are often overlooked by visitors despite being fundamental to how the village functions and looks.
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