The Var department is located in the most extreme south-easterly point in France and has an unsurpassable climate. From the aquamarine waters of the Gorges du Verdon, to the “soul-stirring” sight of lavender fields, the Var is the most beautiful part of Provence: Clusters of stone houses form tiny villages hidden between the weft and warp of winding roads, you can expect good food, better scenery, fewer crowds and a taste of the real Provençal life.
Toulon is the departmental capital of the Var with a population of over 160,000. It has the biggest harbour in mainland Europe, and France's Mediterranean navy fleet use the city as its base. Toulon is a historic centre in many ways, and its attractive old streets are host to many ancient buildings and hidden historic corners. The town also has a lively cultural scene, the highlight of which is the fantastic local opera company. The hills that look over the town and onto the sea have a number of great houses, villas and apartments.
To the east of the Var you'll find the town of Hyeres, which is a great blend of both Provence and Cote d'Azur culture. There are few other places that offer exotic palm trees on a sun-soaked coast together with a medieval old town and other historical interests.
The very famous St-Tropez is a stunning town architecturally and is celebrated for its glamorous lifestyle. It has a population of just 6000 in the low season, but as the temperature increases for the summer months the population explodes!
Further up the coastline and you'll come across the tourist resorts of Frejus and St-Raphael with their stretching sandy beaches and Roman remains. Not to be missed is Port-Grimaud. Built along a network of canals, the city bears a striking resemblance to the Italian city of Venice. The city is very attractive, although the top prize goes to Bargeme,
which is widely acknowledged as one of the prettiest villages in the whole of France.
Both EasyJet and GB Airways fly to Toulon from Gatwick. If you'd rather avoid flying, however, you could take a Rail Europe service from London Waterloo all the way to Toulon.
Discover in one clic
the 11 "must be seen" in le Var!
It's hard to resist the call "dou pas de l'avé"
("the sheeps track" in old provencal language).
The "Padavé", a beautiful track which skirts
our guest house, will take you through the countryside and
vineyard to the Massif
des Maures. You will have lovely time there, walking
or riding...
