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 départements with the most unspoilt natural areas, the Var is not short of wild rocky coves, magnificent beaches such as Pampelonne, and more than 340,000 hectares of forest, making it the most wooded département in France after the Landes. The hinterland is also a treasure trove of quiet, charming villages, natural sites and Provençal cuisine. The region's Mediterranean climate also makes for a pleasant stay. There's something for everyone who loves magnificent scenery on a camping holiday.

Campsites in the Var

To make the most of your holiday and allow you to visit this region in complete tranquillity, there are more than more than 260 campsites in the Var to accompany you during your stay to enjoy the Pampelonne beach or the mild Provencal climate. Here is a selection:

Domaine de la Bergerie in Roquebrune-sur-Argens - 5-star campsite

The Domaine de la Bergerie campsite ***** in Roquebrune-sur-Argens is located 7 km from the beach and the beautiful creeks of Les Issambres. An exceptional site in a wooded park in the heart of nature. Open between April and November, it has 700 pitches, including 500 rental pitches and cottages offering all the comforts of a 5-star campsite, plus a club formula for all the activities. A water park with slides, rivers and waterfalls and a wellness area with an indoor pool, sauna, hammam and jacuzzi. The campsite promises varied and active activities for children. The gentle pace of life in Provence.

Domaine de la Bergerie in Roquebrune-sur-Argens
Domaine de la Bergerie in Roquebrune-sur-Argens© CampingFrance

Camping Le Camp du Domaine à Bormes-les-Mimosas - Seaside - direct access to the beach

Camping Le Camp du Domaine ***** is located on the seafront with direct access to the beach. Open from the end of March to the end of October, it offers spacious pitches in 45 hectares of pine forest, as well as a wide range of top-of-the-range accommodation (mobile homes, chalets). There's a restaurant, a pizzeria, a bazaar, a wellness area with treatments, a hammam, a sauna and a hairdresser, as well as a wide range of activities for all ages. You can enjoy the campsite at 60 per night. One of the most beautiful campsites with a water park in the Var.

4-star campsite by the sea in the south of France - Var mobil home

Les Mures campsite **** in Grimaud is located by the sea, with direct access to the beach. It is set in the middle of a pine forest with century-old pines. Open from April to October, you'll be welcomed here in the heart of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, with your feet in the water and an exceptional panorama of the Mediterranean. 330 pitches and 180 rentals await you, with a wide choice of mobile homes, chalets, bungalows and more. Children can enjoy a range of clubs for all ages, as well as entertainment. Shows and dance evenings are on offer for all the family. What more could you ask for from a campsite with direct access to the beach? You can also take advantage of the aquatic play areas for your children.

Les Mûres campsite in Grimaud
Les Mûres campsite in Grimaud© CampingFrance

Les Mimosas campsite in Le Lavandou with water park - Close to the seaside

Camping Les Mimosas *** in Le Lavandou has 140 pitches and 35 rentals. Open between April and October, it has a magnificent Aquatoon area for the little ones. It is located next to a beautiful beach where you can enjoy all kinds of water sports, as well as bike hire and hiking in the natural setting of the Presqu'île de Giens, sports tournaments, fitness classes and cultural walks. Teenage and children's clubs, shows and dance evenings await you during your camping holiday. If you're a thrill-seeker, don't hesitate to try jet skiing, which is very popular in this region. You can also take advantage of the aquatic play areas for some relaxing family time.

Family campsite Les Jardins de La Pascalinette - Mobile home rentals

Looking for a campsite with a water park in the Var? Les Jardins de la Pascalinette campsite **** awaits you from April to September. A family-run campsite since 1964, set in exceptional natural surroundings and offering large pitches right next to the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean. A place where there's something for everyone: in the 2000 m2 water park with slides, in the sports and leisure facilities or the varied entertainment, the restaurant or the supermarket. There's no shortage of things to do at Les Jardins de la Pascalinette! You can also discover the magnificent landscapes of the Var hinterland by venturing out on bike or on foot.

Campsite in the Var with swimming pool - La Pierre Verte in Fréjus

La Pierre Verte campsite **** in Fréjus boasts a lagoon/beach area that is unique on the Côte d'Azur. The campsite also offers a water park with 3 swimming pools and a wide range of activities and entertainment. Open between April and September, you can take part in evening entertainment for all, as well as a variety of activities and entertainment. You can choose a mobile home to suit your needs, desires and budget. From Toi & Moi (18 m2) to Tribu XXL (for 10 to 12 people). Prices vary according to the period of your camping holiday. The region's Mediterranean climate makes every stay even more enjoyable.

Cheaper camping in the Var

Camping de l'Aigle *** in Aiguines in the heart of the Verdon Natural Park. Enjoy a reasonably priced campsite. It has facilities designed with your well-being in mind, as well as a panoramic view over Lake Sainte-Croix. Come to Camping de l'Aigle for low prices and to make the most of your camping holiday.

Campsite close to the sea with swimming pool

Les Tournels campsite ***** in Ramatuelle is set in the forest 1.5 km from the sea and the pretty Pampelonne beach. You'll enjoy over 900 pitches and 378 rentals, as well as an aquatic area with an open-air swimming pool and waterslides, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi and a wellness area with Spa for parents. An open-air hotel ideal for enjoying the aquatic play areas and the many sports activities on offer on site in the best possible conditions.

Discover the Var during your camping holiday

Toulon, the sunniest city in France

Toulon was France's largest military port under the Ancien Régime, and grew as a result, being the starting point for transport to the Middle East and Africa. It began to attract tourists in the 1980s thanks to its efforts to beautify its coastline and equip itself with cultural facilities. Drinking a coffee on the Quai Cronstadt and catching a glimpse of the Tour Royale, walking to the landscaped gardens by the sea and admiring the view over the harbour, climbing to the top of the Mont Faron massif and taking in the panorama, strolling through the market on the Cours Lafayette and smelling the tempting aromas of Provençal cuisine, then visiting the opera on the Place Victor Hugo and finally enjoying the warm sand on the beach, are all pleasures that are sure to delight tourists. As the sunniest city in France, Toulon offers a multitude of activities for lovers of nature, history and culture. The Mediterranean climate is a constant invitation to discover and relax, whether exploring the hidden coves along the coast or strolling through the lively city centre. Sailing and water sports enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy in the crystal-clear waters, while hikers will be delighted to venture into the surrounding mountains. Toulon perfectly combines modernity and heritage, offering a warm and authentic experience, where every street corner and landscape tells a unique story.

Toulon
Toulon© IStock

Exceptional natural sites

The largest canyon in Europe, the Gorges du Verdon is a sporting getaway in a wild, unspoilt landscape. A must-see in the Var, it offers a host of sporting activities including hiking, rafting, canyoning, canoeing and bungee jumping. These impressive gorges, carved out by the Verdon River, attract thrill-seekers as well as nature and photography enthusiasts, who will find unforgettable panoramic views.

The Estérel massif is a natural volcanic site with a distinctive red colour. Set alongside the sea, the contrast between the red of the rock and the turquoise of the sunlit sea is sublime. When you take the Corniche d'Or road to visit Saint-Raphaël and Fréjus, you'll want to take in the scenery offered by the cliffs. There are many walking routes to explore this superb massif, including the not-to-be-missed Rock of Saint-Barthélemy. The Pic de l'Ours offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. A place that will also delight climbing enthusiasts! L'Estérel also offers wild beaches and secret coves, where you can swim in complete tranquillity in an exceptionally natural setting.

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

The Maures massif is the perfect place for cycling and walking, but you can also go horse riding. Here you'll find a wealth of protected wildlife, including tawny owls, squirrels and eagle owls. There's also a diverse landscape of chestnut, cork oak and umbrella pine forests. If you're brave enough and have good legs, you can climb to the Signal de la Sauvette at 775 metres for a superb viewpoint. The beautiful Corniche des Maures Road takes you to the legendary village of Saint-Tropez. An unmissable stopover in the Var, this picturesque little Provencal village is best visited outside the summer season. That's when it reveals all its charm and gentle way of life. The church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, the ramparts and their view over 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 using ancestral methods, the clean lines of its church, cloister and chapter house are extraordinary. Its exceptional acoustics make it a renowned venue for Gregorian chant concerts, attracting visitors in search of serenity and architectural beauty. These landscapes and natural sites make the Var an unmissable destination for lovers of nature and history.

Abbaye du Thoronet
Abbaye du Thoronet© IStock

The Golden Islands, jewel of the Mediterranean

The Hyères islands, located off the Giens peninsula, form a veritable archipelago, a group of islands that fascinate and enchant visitors. Considered a jewel of the Mediterranean, these islands offer breathtaking scenery, combining unspoilt nature and history. The archipelago is made up of three main islands: Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Ile du Levant, each with its own character and assets that are sure to appeal to lovers of the sea, nature and tranquillity.

The island of Porquerolles, the largest of the three, is a true jewel of beauty. Its coastline is dotted with fine sandy beaches and secluded coves, ideal for those seeking peace and relaxation in an idyllic setting. The exceptionally clear waters are perfect for swimming and discovering the rich and varied seabed, perfect for scuba diving. But Porquerolles is not just about the sea: the island is also home to some interesting historical sites, such as the Sainte-Agathe fort (1531), offering a panoramic view of the island and its surroundings, and the Porquerolles lighthouse, built in 1830 and which has been guiding sailors for over a century. Culture lovers won't want to miss the Villa Carmignac, a space dedicated to contemporary art, and the Emmanuel Lopez Garden, a haven of peace where Mediterranean plants grow side by side in an enchanting setting.

The island of Port-Cros, Europe's first national marine park, is a veritable natural sanctuary. With its steep cliffs, discreet beaches and forests of Aleppo pine and holm oak, the island offers total immersion in unspoilt, wild nature. Port-Cros is the perfect place for hikers and lovers of Mediterranean flora and fauna. Signposted footpaths take you through a variety of landscapes, from dense scrubland to breathtaking sea views. Although its beaches are few and far between, the turquoise colour of its crystal-clear waters invites you to swim and dive, making this island a paradise for scuba diving enthusiasts and those keen to explore the seabed.

Finally, Ile du Levant, the most unusual of the three, is renowned for its naturist centre, attracting a clientele in search of freedom and a return to nature. But this small island offers much more than: its unspoilt coastline, lined with secluded covers and wild beaches, lends itself to hiking and exploration. Much of the island is covered in scrubland, with vegetation typical of the region, offering wild and picturesque landscapes. The naturist beach, located in a sheltered cove, is a peaceful place where swimming costumes are superfluous, offering visitors a real return to their roots. Ile du Levant is also famous for sites such as the Bain de Diane, a small, tranquil bay, and the Calanque des Phoques, another perfect place to enjoy the crystal-clear waters in complete privacy.

These islands, untouched by mass tourism, are a natural and historical treasure trove, a place where you can recharge your batteries, disconnect from the world and enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean in all its splendour. Whether it's for a day's exploration, a boat trip or an extended stay, the Golden Islands offer an idyllic setting for those who love nature and tranquillity.

Port-Cros island
Port-Cros island© IStock

Picturesque villages, hidden gems of the Var

It's impossible to talk about the Var without mentioning Bormes-les-Mimosas , ranked as one of France's most flower-filled villages. This charming medieval village, perched on a hill, dates to the 13th century and offers a journey back in time thanks to its narrow, windy streets, stone houses and numerous viewpoints overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Its historic heritage, with sites such as the old castle and the chapel of Saint-François, blends with the beauty of its lush gardens, where the mimosas in bloom create a breathtaking spectacle every winter. As well as its authentic charm, Bormes-les-Mimosas is also an excellent base for exploring the Giens peninsula and its magnificent beaches.

Not far from there, the village of Gassin has been classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Its location at an altitude of 200 metres offers exceptional panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the surrounding vineyards. This typically Provencal village, with its cobbled streets and colourful facades, is a veritable nest of authenticity. The atmosphere is calm and restful, ideal for a stroll around the shady squares, fountains and inviting terraces. Just a few minutes from Saint-Tropez and Ramatuelle, Gassin enjoys easy access to the beaches and tourist attractions while retaining its peaceful charm.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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