livret la garde - Office du tourisme de la Garde-Freinet

A W a l k in t h e village (see the street map)Discover the oldvillage whilestrolling throughthe small streets, imaginethe activities ofyore that once madethe village lively, themarks of which havebeen successfully preservedup to this day.Admire the fountains,the washing places,the streets with funny names, the old silkworm breeding houses, olive-oil mills andcork factories that allowed the village to livea hundred years ago… Start the walk fromthe tourist office, it takes approximately onehour.1 The town hall was built at the time of theexpansion of the cork industry; this spot wasregistered in the 1815 cadastre, near the fortfied chapel of St Jean (building housing theTourist Office) as a graveyard. The statue ofMarianne dates from 1889 (Centenary of theFrench revolution). Louis Casne, master ofthe forges at Tusey in the department of LaMeuse made it.The water of the fountain is not to be drunkas the expression of the statue shows.2 Go on along the ruede l’Ormeau, on theright of the town hall,towards the place duMarché. At the bottomof the square, on yourright you will find anold wash-house(lavoir) (1812).3 Facing the washhouse“ the oldFountain”(La fontaine vieille) dates from1812 (Napoleon).4 Go up "la place du Marche". The kiosk builtin 1872 was formerly a fish-market hall. Onthe left of the square, opposite the kiosk, isthe rue du Château. It takes its name fromthe old castle of the Pontevès family (Lordsof La Garde-Freinet) the only part of which tobe seen is the arch of the stable-door.5 Farther on youwill join the PlaceVieille wherepeople say, aman used tocome and drinkand wash everymorning, he livedover a hundredyears. Continueup the rue StJacques and the main shopping street to thePlace Neuve. (Market Place on Wednesdayand Sunday).86 Turn up the rue du Moulin. Go up the longslope and when you get to the top you willsee an old flourmill (now a private house).