Brignoles to Le Luc.—Fairly hilly; elsewhere the journey from Aix to St. Raphaël is practically level.
St. Raphaël to La Napoule (beyond Théoule)—[10 miles an hour recommended].—This road was only finished in 1903. It is called the Corniche d’Or (or d’Estérel), and follows the ragged coast-line in and out of the beautiful bays. There is no protection on the seaward side, and a collision between automobiles means that the outside car will probably fall crashing into the sea immediately below. Drivers are therefore warned to go very slowly and with the greatest care, especially at corners, where one sometimes passes a car being driven at a recklessly fast pace, allowing all too little room for any vehicle being passed. The exquisite beauty of the scenery makes a crawling pace welcome, and those who drive faster than 10 miles an hour deserve whatever disaster may befall them.
PLACES OF INTEREST ON THE ROUTE
Aix-en-Provence.—A large town—the Aquæ Sextiæ of the Romans—formerly the capital of Provence: (1) Cathedral of St. Sauveur, Romanesque, chancel 1285, west doors richly carved, baptistery with Roman columns, and Romanesque cloister; (2) Archbishop’s Palace; (3) Hôtel de Ville, containing large and interesting library; (4) hot springs; (5) in the garden of thermal establishment slight remains of Roman baths; (6) Tour de Tourreluco, a survival of the medieval walls; (7) Church of St. Jean de Malte, thirteenth century.
Mont Ste. Victoire and Pourrières.—The precipitous ridge looks down on the battlefield of Pourrières, where Marius, with his Roman legions and auxiliaries, wiped out the two northern tribes of the Ambrones and the Teutones.
St. Maximin.—A small town, with a beautiful Gothic church (thirteenth to fifteenth centuries), early crypt, and beautiful altars.
Tourves.—Village with a large ruined castle.
Brignoles.—A small town, famous for its dried plums, but otherwise without great interest.
Flassans.—A roadside village, with an old deserted one on the hill adjoining.
Le Luc and Le Muy.—Pleasant little roadside towns.