Bandol

The beautiful seaside resort of Bandol offers many sandy beaches, cliffs, inlets and creeks to be explored. It has been a quiet retreat for many artists and writers throughout the years. These days Bandol is very popular amongst French families seeking a retreat who descend on the town for summer vacations. There is also a yachting harbor and a charming promenade shaded by pine, oleander and palm trees. And there are plenty of bars and restaurants, as well as a casino to keep their visitors entertained. Every morning there is a market held on the Place de la Libertéin the center of the town.

Because the town is sheltered in a bay and cradled by hills to protect it from the wind it is an ideal condition for grape growing and there have been vineyards here since 600 BC. Here you`ll find a variety of vineyards producing wonderful whites and rosés, as well as stronger red wines grown on the terraces inland. Bandol has a reputation for having some of the best wines of the Mediterranean and even all of France.

Cassis

The small fishing village of Cassis is situated east of Marseille in the Parc National des Calanques. The town boasts a picture perfect harbor filled with boats and lined with beautiful traditional pastel painted buildings and waterfront restaurants and bars. Cassis is an extremely popular summer resort, especially for French and other European vacationers.The ambiance here is enchanting with an attractive combination of town, beach and surrounding scenery that has long attracted many well known artists here.

As you explore the streets of the town some highlights include the Church of Notre-Dame de-Bon-Boyage, the 17th-century Town Hall and various impressive town houses such as the Villa l`Ariane (now the town library). You will also notice various traditional Provencal stone fountains and a few small chapels all contributing to the charm of the village. There is a small museum dedicated to the history of the town and region. You can also walk up the hill to the south-east to see the remains of the medieval castle, the Chateau des Baux, dating back from the 14th-century, that once stood here. Cassis is also highly regarded for their wines, especially the white wines that are all produced from the many vineyards in and around Cassis.

Just to the west of Cassis are the Calanques (a must see!) - wild, rugged cliffs that plunge into the turquoise sea. These are best seen by a boat-trip that leaves out of the Cassis harbor. There are also footpaths to explore this area offering beautiful viewpoints. The Calanques are one of the France`s most beautiful natural areas.

Hyères

Hyères is the oldest resort on the French Riviera, situated on the hills of the Colline du Casteou. The town offers everything from sandy beaches, culture, and sensational natural wonders (home to the National Park of Port-Cros) to be explored. The medieval center of this picturesque resort town is adorned with bougainvillea cobbled streets, wooden shutters, street markets and terrace restaurants. For summer fun, Hyeres` long sandy beaches are perfect for swimming and water sports of any kind. The waters here offer a great area for divers offering the nicest shipwrecks of the Mediterranean. Year round visitors will find a number of activities to enjoy here from morning markets in place Massillon, hiking uphill to the Mediterranean gardens of Parc Saint-Bernard where you`ll find magnificent views over the Var coast, bike riding around Porquerolles, fabulous windsurfing, dining at the many excellent water-side restaurants, or just lazing by the beach. There is plenty to do here whatever you fancy.

La Cadiere d`Azur

Resting on a rocky ridge on a hill overlooking the Bandol vineyards is the small medieval village of La Cadiere d`Azur. The village is just opposite the village of Castellet and offers beautiful views of the village perched on its hilltop just across the valley. Inside the town and along the main street you will find various Provencal shops as well as artisanal shops for pottery and local products. The village still has three remaining medieval Gate Doors in the ancient medieval walls that you will see as you wander the narrow little streets of the old village.Among the ancient buildings of the old town are the Tour de l`Horloge with a 16th-century campanile and a 16th-century St Andre church with its tall hexagonal clock tower. The village also has a museum and is surrounded by beautiful vineyards that are part of the Cotes de Provence Appellation d`Origine Controlee of Bandol.

La Ciotat

La Ciotat is a small resort town that sits midway between Marseilles and Toulon. The town has quite a bit to offer in terms of holiday attractions with several claims to fame including the game of petanque, which originated here. The town includes a stretch of easily accessible beaches, the oldest movie theatre in the world, a stunning coastline, many charming seaside restaurants, a beautiful botanical garden, and a charming old fishing port. And due to the location, La Ciotat offers many nautical sports such as canoeing and kayaking, kite-surfing-stand-up paddle, scuba diving, angling and underwater fishing. And south of the center of La Ciotat you will find two red calanques with their small pebbly beaches.

When exploring La Ciotate, you`ll find an Old Port (Vieux Port) lined with many bars and restaurants, and on Sundays, there`s a large farmers` market and artisans`market here. The town also has a city museum, the Musee Ciotaden, which covers the complete history of the town with an eclectic collection of Roman amphorae, amongst various other things. There is also a pleasant pedestrianized Old Town that offers shopping, some grand old houses, and charming cafes. The town also includes beautiful gardens sprawling 30 acres that includes an incredible variety of plants and shrubs, many of them rarely seen in this part of Provence.

La Seyne sur Mer

The second largest city in the Var, La Seyne sur Mer lies at the foot of Cape Sicie on the shores of the Mediterranean and offers a picturesque and authentic Provencal atmosphere. La Seyne was once a shipbuilding town for many years, but this period has ended and today this transformation is symbolized by the Pont de la Seyne, a century-old steel bridge converted into stylish belvedere. The dynamic seaside tourist resort offers welcoming shops on pedestrianized streets, lively markets, rich history, beautiful beaches and an exceptional setting and climate to enjoy. On the sea side of town is the famous `Deux Ferers` rock from the beach of La Seyen `Les Sablettes,` and beautiful clear waters that offer watersports of every kind to enjoy and very fine beaches. And on the forest side of town, you will discover the most stunning and preserved landscapes that offer leisure activities of all sorts: hiking, biking, adventure in the trees, and more! One of the most beautiful parts of La Seyne is the Tamaris Corniche. From here there are magnificent views, and beautiful villas to admire that were very popular with many artists in the 19th-century.

The town center of La Seyne boasts charming shops and cafes on lively pedestrianized streets. The area is scenic with its old fading color houses, shady squares, and a number of frescoes (mural paintings) that adorn the town. The fish market is not to be missed while visiting here, located on the quayside, you`ll find the fishermen selling their daily catch. Some other must see attractions include Notre Dame de Bon Voyage Church stroll along the Tamaris ledge, Balaguier fort and Museum, hiking in the Massif du Cap Sicie, sunbathing on the white sandy beaches of Sablettes, Telepherique De Toulon (cable cars) just to name a few.

Le Pradet

Le Pradet is a small seaside resort located in the Var region neighboring Toulon and Hyeres. The town offers a mix of the pleasures of Provence and those of the French Riviera with an outstanding Mediterranean coast. There is a range of beaches in the town, from tranquil (accessible by trails) settings to wild coves of the Giens peninsula in Hyeres with sandy beaches of Porquerolles all surrounded by beautiful Mediterranean vegetation. The heart of the village offers the Cravero park which is a beautiful garden sheltering sheep, deer, and parrots. Make sure to visit the Mine of Cap Garonne which includes over 100 varieties of crystals in a variety of different forms and colors. The area of the Colle Noire with extraordinary fauna and flora is also the chance to walk on the discovery path of Cap Garonne, around the museum.

Saint Cyr Sur Mer

Wide open on the bay of Lecques, St Cyr sur Mer is surrounded by pine woods and famous vineyards. Originally this town was made up of several different villages that have today merged into one town offering several different points of interest for their visitors. The bay boasts 3 small harbors and a long sandy beach. The ports of Les Lecques and La Madrague are considered part of the same community, and Les Lecques is the region with the main beach resort. Discover the paths along the shore that goes all the way to Bandol with rocky coasts and amazing views of the bottom of the sea (not to be missed!). The town also includes the small port of Madrague, the Calanque of Port d`Alon, the vineyards, olive groves, pine forests and the rich history in the area.

With it`s very attractive coastal setting, Saint Cyr Sur Mer also brings a number of nautical activities includingscuba diving, boating, fishing, sailing and water skiing. Another beautiful leisure activity is the Fregate Golf Course (9 and 18 holes), designed to fit the land and boasts the most amazing views of the Embiez Island, absolutely gorgeous! Thecity of Saint Cyr Sur Mer is a harmonious blend of nature, agriculture andurban space in a fine balance between land and sea.

Sanary Sur Mer

Sanary Sur Mer is a lovely Provencal village situated on the Mediterranean coast boasting beautiful beaches and an energetic atmosphere. Unlike many of the small towns on the Mediterranean coast, the village is active year round most likely due to it being the sunniest place in France, with over 280 days of sunshine each year. Lined with palm trees and pastel colored houses, the harbor is picturesque to wander with seaside restaurants and shops to discover. Here you`ll find the Frederic Dumas Historical Diving Museum, located in the 13th-century tower, exhibiting a unique collection of original diving equipment. From the top of the museum there are panoramic views across the bay and surrounding countryside. The port also contains an active fishing fleet where you can buy fresh fish on the quai every morning. Behind the port is the historic center, partially pedestrianized and lively with many shops and restaurants to enjoy.

Discover the lively market that takes place every morning, the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Pitite, built in 1560 with lovely views of the coast, nautical themed sports, the beautiful beaches, and some of the oldest vineyards (dating back to the Roman Empire) that can all be found here.

Six-Fours-les-Plages

A seaside Provencal resort of Six Fours les Plages is one of the largest towns in the Var region, made up of many small hamlets (small villages), and offers several points of interest. There are beautiful beaches, the most famous being the Brutal Beach, which stretches along General de Gaulle Promenade. It is very popular with windsurfers. The main attraction here is the small and charming fishing port of Brusc. And although the coast attracts most visitors, it is extremely popular to explore the forest of Janas with many trails set up for mountain biking, horseback riding and cycling through pine trees, cork oaks and olive trees. You can also find the Îledes Embiez, site of an oceanographic research center and the smaller Île Gaou where concerts are organized every summer.

Toulon

Toulon offers one of the most beautiful natural harbors in France filled with small fishing boats and yachts. Although it is not a major tourist destination on the Riviera, Toulon has several notable historic buildings, a great deal of character and also some important museums. The waterfront offers charming boutiques and lively cafes. It is an important military port and a main hub of the French navy fleet in the Mediterranean. Besides its military and commercial purposes, the Toulon harbor is the launching point of ferry routes. From the port, tourists can take boat rides to many of the attractions in the area, including La Seyne sur Mer and Les Sablettes beaches.

Toulon also boasts a rich Provencal heritage seen in traditions such as a colorful markets each morning and summertime festivals. The most dominating landmark of the city is the impressive Mont Faron, or the Telepherique (cable car). These cable cars offer the most amazing views of the Bay of Toulon and the landscape of the Var region. The city also offers a naval museum, an Old town with pleasant shady squares, fountains and outdoor cafes, the Opera de Toulon and a beautiful 11th-century Romanesque church, with a Provencal bell tower.