Still looking for advice, thoughts, observations re: Draguignan area for a June/July 2008 one-week stay (have found what looks like a great rental near a town called Taradeau. I never seem to post my queries in the right spot, and am re-posting here with high hopes to hear from anyone who knows the area. Specifically, we like to: eat, drink, hike and swim. A little culture is OK, too, lest we sound like troglodytes! Want to spend a day at the Calanques outside of Marseille, too.
Merci!

http://www.provenceweb.com/e/var/dragui/dragui.htm

and more,

http://www.provencebeyond.com/villages/draguignan.html

Merci, cigalechanta - you always have the good infos!

msm, this is worth a visit. It's man made but an exciting sight.
We visited friends in nearby Quinson and saw this lake.

http://www.vaucluse-visites-virtuell...x-english.html

The area around Draguignan is mostly vineyards, sometimes hilly with pine trees. The villages north from Vidauban, where Taradeau is located, are pretty especially Villecroze and Tourtour, the latter being one of France's prettiest villages. Tourtour's best restaurant is called La Table. The coast is about 45mins from this area towards Ste Maxime/St Tropez. Hiking, kayaking and horseriding activities are available in the area. Le Thoronet is nearby where you can see the abbey. Draguignan is good for stocking up on provisions.

The calanques can be reached from Marseille at Vieux Port, amongst other locations by tour boat.