Le Var

Why visit Le Var?

Le Var is one of the most rewarding holiday areas in the South of France. It offers everything you expect from the Riviera – sea, beaches, palms, marinas and long summer evenings – as well as a more relaxed, nature-focused side. While Nice and Cannes are often associated with city life and classic Riviera elegance, Le Var is just as much about islands, pine forests, sheltered coves, villages and vineyards.

The area particularly suits travellers who enjoy exploring by car or boat. Distances are short enough to stay in one base and take day trips, yet varied enough for every day to feel completely different. You might begin with coffee at Toulon market, have lunch beside the harbour in Sanary-sur-Mer, swim at a beach near Hyères and finish the day with a glass of rosé in a village overlooking the coast.

Le Var is also an excellent alternative to the best-known resorts of the Côte d’Azur. You can still enjoy luxury, good restaurants and beautiful hotels while finding quieter places, smaller harbours, nature reserves and family-friendly beaches.

The coast from Bandol to Saint-Tropez

The Le Var coastline is one of the most varied stretches of the South of France. To the west are Bandol and Sanary-sur-Mer, both excellent for food, wine, small harbours and a gentler style of holiday. Bandol is known for its wine and coastal life, while Sanary-sur-Mer has one of the area’s most appealing harbour settings.

Farther east lies Toulon, the departmental capital and a practical base with rail connections, a harbour, market, restaurants and the cable car to Mont Faron. Toulon is not as polished as Nice or Cannes, but it has genuine Mediterranean character and works well for travellers seeking a city, harbour and local atmosphere without Saint-Tropez prices.

Continuing east brings you to Hyères, Le Lavandou, Bormes-les-Mimosas, Cavalaire-sur-Mer, Ramatuelle and Saint-Tropez. This is Le Var’s most classic holiday coastline, ranging from long sandy beaches and small coves to iconic Pampelonne, old towns, beach clubs, boat trips and markets.

Hyères, Porquerolles and Port-Cros

Hyères is one of the best bases in Le Var. The town is close to the airport, railway, beaches, the Giens peninsula and boats to the Îles d’Hyères, often known as the Golden Islands. From here it is easy to reach Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant, three islands that give Le Var a distinct identity.

Porquerolles is the most accessible and family-friendly of the islands. It is known for sandy beaches, cycle paths, pine forests, small coves and a peaceful village atmosphere. For many visitors, it is one of the most beautiful island experiences in the South of France. Cars are not part of the holiday here; the island is best explored on foot or by bicycle.

Port-Cros is wilder and more nature-focused. The island forms part of Parc national de Port-Cros and is better suited to walking, snorkelling, diving and discovering one of France’s most important protected marine areas. Clear water, trails, small harbours and protected landscapes make Port-Cros one of the region’s most distinctive natural experiences.

Villages, markets and wine

Le Var is not only about the coast. Just inland, villages, vineyards and hills give the area a distinctly Provençal character. Bormes-les-Mimosas is one of the loveliest villages near the sea, with flowers, steps, views and narrow lanes. Ramatuelle sits above Pampelonne beach and offers a more traditional village perspective on the area around Saint-Tropez.

Wine is an important part of the experience. Le Var lies at the heart of Provence wine country, and Côtes de Provence rosé is a natural companion to beach lunches, market produce and summer evenings. Many estates are only a short distance from the coast, particularly between La Londe-les-Maures, Bormes-les-Mimosas, Ramatuelle and the countryside around Brignoles.

Markets matter too. Expect fruit, olives, tapenade, cheese, charcuterie, flowers, ceramics, spices, fish and local produce. Combining a morning market with an afternoon on the beach may be the simplest way to understand Le Var.

Verdon and inland Le Var

Inland Var offers a completely different experience from the coast. The landscape changes to hills, woodland, vineyards, villages and dramatic natural formations. To the north-east lie the Gorges du Verdon and Lac de Sainte-Croix, one of the most spectacular natural areas in the South of France.

Verdon is ideal for combining Le Var with kayaking, viewpoints, lake swimming, short walks or an active road trip. It is also a worthwhile option in July or August when you want a day away from the busiest beach resorts.

For motorhome, camping and driving holidays, this is one of the most rewarding combinations in the South of France: the Le Var coast, the villages of Provence and Verdon as a dramatic natural finale.

Where should you stay in Le Var?

Hyères is the most practical choice for Porquerolles, Port-Cros, the Giens peninsula and the beaches around Almanarre. It is also a good base for families and travellers planning an active holiday involving cycling, boating and nature.

Toulon is best for transport links, rail travel, town life, markets and lower prices than the most famous resorts. It is a useful base for short trips west to Sanary and Bandol and east towards Hyères.

Bandol and Sanary-sur-Mer are ideal for food, wine, harbour life and a quieter coastal holiday. Bormes-les-Mimosas and Le Lavandou are good choices for beaches, village atmosphere and a romantic stay. Saint-Tropez is the right choice for iconic Riviera atmosphere, the marina, Pampelonne and a more exclusive feel.

Saint-Raphaël and Fréjus lie at the eastern edge of Var and work well for families, beach holidays and the Esterel massif. From here, it is also quicker to continue towards Cannes and Nice.