La Garde-Freinet is a charming old Provencal village nestling in the heart of the Massif des Maures, whose incredible authenticity has been lovingly preserved over the years. The village is accessible via picturesque roads that wind through the spectacular wild countryside that surrounds it.

The village was named ‘Garde’ because of its sentinel position at the top of the pass. The inhabitants are affectionately known as ‘Gardois’ or ‘Garduou’ in Provençal. Later, the addition of ‘Freinet’ designated the territory of the Fraxinetum, a vast plain where ash trees abound.

From the 14th century onwards, the population gradually moved from the perched site of Fort Freinet to the gentler slopes of the La Garde-Freinet pass. This transition led to the transformation of the ‘Château de la Garde’ into the village of ‘Garde du Freinet’. It was at this time that the village extended from the Saint-Joseph quarter to the present-day Place du Marché.

The 19th century marked a new era of growth for the village, thanks in particular to the flourishing cork industry. In 1872, the village had nearly 660 cork makers and a population of 2,687.

The golden age of La Garde-Freinet saw the arrival of new districts such as Les Aires and Place Neuve, which were integrated into the winding streets of the old village, helping to give it the unique and captivating appearance it still retains today.