What to see in France

Camping in the Var, under the sign of generosity

Saint-Tropez dans le Var
Saint-Tropez dans le Var

 

Located in the beautiful Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, the Var owes its name to the coastal river that no longer waters its territory. Ranking second among the departments with the most preserved natural areas, the Var is not short of rocky and wild creeks, fine sandy beaches and more than 340,000 hectares of forest, making it the most wooded department in France after the Landes. The hinterland is also a treasure trove of charming, quiet villages, natural sites and Provençal cuisine. Enough to satisfy lovers of magnificent landscapes during a camping holiday.

Campsites in the Var

To make the most of your holiday and allow you to visit this area in complete peace of mind, there are more than 260 campsites in the Var to accompany you during your stay. Here is a selection: La Pierre Verte campsite **** in Fréjus has a lagoon/beach unique on the French Riviera as well as 3 swimming pools and a range of activities and entertainment. Camping de l'Aigle *** in Aiguines, in the heart of the Verdon Natural Park, has facilities designed for your well-being and a panoramic view of Lake Sainte-Croix. Finally, the Les Tournels campsite ***** in Ramatuelle is located in the forest 1.5 km from the sea. You will enjoy more than 900 pitches and 378 rentals as well as an aquatic area with open-air swimming pool and water slides, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi and wellness area with Spa.

Discover the Var during your camping holiday

Toulon, the sunniest city in France

The largest French military port under the old regime, the city of Toulon developed thanks to the latter and was the starting point for transport to the Middle East or Africa. It began to attract tourists in the 1980s thanks to its efforts to magnify itself by embellishing its coastline and equipping itself with cultural facilities. Drinking a coffee on the Quai Cronstadt and seeing the Royal Tower, walking to the seaside landscaped garden and admiring the view of the harbour, climbing to the top of Mount Faron and enjoying the panorama, strolling through the Cours Lafayette market and smelling the tempting aromas of Provençal cuisine, then going to the opera house in Place Victor Hugo and finally enjoying the warm sand of the beach, are all pleasures that are bound to delight tourists.

Toulon
Toulon© IStock

Exceptional natural sites

The largest canyon in Europe, the Gorges du Verdon is a sporting getaway in the middle of a wild and preserved landscape. A must-see in the Var, it offers many sporting activities such as hiking, rafting, canyoning, canoeing, bungee jumping...

The Esterel massif is a natural volcanic site with a distinctive red colour. Situated along the sea, the contrast of colours between the red of the rock and the turquoise of the sea lit by the sun is sublime. When taking the Corniche d'Or road to visit Saint-Raphaël and Fréjus, you should go and admire the landscape offered by the cliffs. There are many walking routes to explore this superb massif, such as the unmissable Saint-Barthélemy rock. The Pic de l'Ours offers a breathtaking panorama of the Mediterranean. A place that will also delight climbing enthusiasts!

Massif de l'Esterel
Massif de l'Esterel© IStock

The Massif des Maures is the perfect place for cycling or walking, but you can also go horse riding. You will discover a protected and important fauna populated by tawny owls, squirrels and other great horned owls. But also a diversified landscape composed of chestnut forests, cork oaks and umbrella pines. With a bit of courage and good legs, you can climb to the Signal de la Sauvette at 775 metres to discover a superb viewpoint. The beautiful Corniche des Maures road will take you to the mythical village of Saint-Tropez. An unavoidable stopover in the Var, this small picturesque Provencal village is best visited outside the summer period. It then reveals all its charm and its gentle way of life. The church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, the ramparts and its view of the rooftops, the port and its colourful facades, the Place des Lices and the pretty Ponche district are all very attractive. Don't leave the Maures massif without visiting the magnificent Thoronet Abbey! It is one of the three Cistercian abbeys along with Sénanque and Silvacane. Built according to an ancestral method, the clean lines of its church, cloister and chapter house are extraordinary. Its exceptional acoustics make it a renowned venue for concerts of Gregorian chants.

Abbaye du Thoronet
Abbaye du Thoronet© IStock

The Golden Islands of the Mediterranean

These are the islands of Hyères located off the Gien peninsula, composed of three main islands, they enchant its visitors and are considered a jewel of the Mediterranean. The island of Porquerolles is the largest, offering a heavenly landscape of clear waters to explore, coves and sandy beaches, but also the fort Sainte-Agathe (1531) and the lighthouse (1830). The sculptures of the Villa Carmignac and the Emmanuel Lopez garden are worth seeing.

Made up of exceptional seabed, (first national marine park in Europe!) the island of Port Cros is distinguished by steep cliffs, abundant scrubland and forests of Aleppo pines and holm oaks. It is without doubt the wildest of the three islands. Hiking trails allow you to discover the beauty of the place. Here the beaches are rare but the turquoise colour of the water invites you to explore the sea bed.

Known for its naturist centre, the island of Levant is certainly the most singular of the three. Hiking trails allow you to discover the coastline as well as the interior of the scrubland and its vegetation. The only sandy beach (where you will be asked to leave your swimming costume in your bag) is located in a very pretty cove. Swimming is also possible at several other sites along the coast, such as the Bain de Diane or the Calanque des Phoques.

Port-Cros island
Port-Cros island© IStock

Picturesque villages of the Var

It is impossible to talk about the Var without mentioning Bormes-les-Mimosas, classified as one of the most flowery villages in France, it is an old perched village dating from the 13th century.

Close to Saint-Tropez and Ramatuelle, the village of Gassin has been classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Situated at an altitude of 200 metres, it enjoys an exceptional view of the Mediterranean.

Also classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, the village of Seillans is situated on a hillside and its terraced houses, its lovely little squares, its intertwined cobbled streets, as well as its craftsmen, make it a very charming place.

Bormes-les-Mimosas
Bormes-les-Mimosas© IStock

 

 

 

 

 

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