A few notes on Correns ...
                                                                               

How I first discovered Correns by Chris Swingler
Having lived in Provence for almost 10 years from 1996 to 2006, both my sons attended a primary school which had learning Provençal as a collective school project. Their teacher chose to teach Provençal through singing and over the years they became quite good! In the spring time we were invited to attend the Provençal primary schools choral event and the first two times that we attended it was held in Correns. So that is how I first discovered Correns in the spring of 2000, not through wine but through music !	Once in Correns ofcourse, Domaine des Aspras is so well signposted, you can not help but follow the signs, over the Pont d'Aspras and down to the idyllic vineyard... Music in Correns For a small village of little more than 600 inhabitants, Correns really pulls all the stops out for the annual Joutes Musicales held for the 9th successive year in 2006. The Joutes is a 3 days gathering of international traditional music held in multiple venues throughout the village including the Theatre de Verdure, the Church and the Fort Gibron. A daily passport costing a modest 10 euros gives you access to all performers for a whole day. Camping is possible in the village next to the main event site.
A few ideas for walks in and around Correns i) A Forest Walk ii) A walk up to Château Miraval iii) The Gros Bessillon iv) The Petit Bessillon v) The Vallon Sourn i) A Forest Walk - The simplest walk in Correns is a circular walk that takes in the valley of the River Argens and then part of the forest before coming back to the village. Make your way to the Vignerons de Correns and turn right opposite the enterance to the Vignerons. Follow the posts with green markers all the way round this circuit. At first you will be following the Argens valley, then a very short climb takes you into the forest before circling round and returning to Correns via the Croix de Basson and the Salle Polyvalente.	Photo (c) Chris Swingler View of the Gros Bessillon on the circular walk before entering the forest about 1km north of the village.
ii) A walk up to Château Miraval A very easy walk which could also be a simple moutain bike route is to start at the Croix de Basson and follow the straight track up to Château Miraval (in the reverse  direction of the last part of the previous walk) iii) The Gros Bessillon This impressive hill is a major landmark of the Provence Verte region. It can be seen from miles around and when you reach the top, you too can see for miles around ! On a clear day you can see as far as Mt. Ventoux in the Lubéron and to the north you can see the pre-alps on the nothern side of Lac Ste. Croix. To the south you can see the whole village of Correns and the hills beyond. To get to the top, the easiest way is to drive by car! As there is a road all the way to the top which starts from the Cotignac to Fox-Amphoux road a few kms north of Cotignac. The road (which is not in very good condition but is passable) is called the Chemin des Muets  in memory of the resistants who were killed by the Nazis. You will see a memorial to them about half way up the hill.	Depending on how much you want to walk, you can either park at the botton of the hill or half way up. The only real path to walk on is the road but as there is hardly any traffic it is not a problem. Just be very careful when you get to the top as, although there are a couple of paoramic view pojnts with orientation tables, there is no barrier at the car park to prevent you falling over the south facing cliff. This is definately not recommended for any group with young children but adults will love the view. This is not a circular walk, to get back down, you have to retrace your steps. iv) The Petit Bessillon To start this walk, you need to get to Pontevès. Leaving your car in the village, there is a gradual climb before a more steeper climb round the south side of the Petit Bessillon. The Petit Bessillon has 2 summits. Access to the first summit is quite easy. However access to the second summit is only suitable for those used to moutain climbing as you have to traverse a narrow ridge and climb a steep cliff in order to get to it. For those who are capable, you can then descend on a path down the north side of the Petit Bessillon. For the less able, the return to the village is by the same path as the way up. v) The Vallon Sourn The Vallon Sourn is a world renowned area for Rock Climbing specialists. But even if you are not into rock climbing, you can park your car here and enjoy a lovely peaceful stroll in either direction along the river banks of the Argens. It is also a perfect place for river side picnics and there are serveral picnic tables available. History of Correns coming soon ... watch this space

A few notes on Correns

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