LE LAVANDOU
This former washerwomen’s village is now an attractive seaside resort, backing onto Les Maures mountains.
There are 12 kilometres of coastline, dotted with coves and long beaches, all of which can be reached by the ‘Petit train’ that runs along the coast road in season. Le Lavandou stands opposite the so-called “Golden Isles” (Port-Cros, Le Levant, Porquerolles) and is only a 20 minute boat trip from the closest one. The seabed in this area is a veritable treasure trove and is visited by many European scuba divers. The isle of Le Levant boasts a maritime natural park that is the only one of its kind in Europe.
You can also explore Bormes-les-Mimosas (top floral award winning village in France), Cogolin at the heart of the Golfe de St Tropez, St Tropez itself, Hyères and the Giens peninsula (a real treat for nature lovers)
EXPLORE PROVENCE
Arts and crafts, history, culture … see a different side of the Var, especially :
Its gardens - Le Rayol-Canadel : scented gardens
- Hyères : the Olbius Riquier park (7 hectares)
- La Londe-les-Maures : tropical bird garden.
Its specialised museums - Bormes-les-Mimosas : Art and History
- Le Lavandou : the Sea
- Ramatuelle : traditional life in Les Maures mountains and Provence
- St Tropez : the Annonciade, with works by Matisse, Braque, Picabia, Dufyits stunning historical heritage :
- Hyères created in the 19th century by Pauline Borghese
- The Cistercian abbey of Le Thoronet, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture
- The 16-17th century Château d’Entrecasteaux & its gardens designed by Le Nôtre.
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LAND BASED SPORTS Tennis, Table tennis, Archery,
Mountain biking, Cycling, Golf, Mini-golf... WATER SPORTS Scuba diving, Sailing, Water skiing,
Parascending ... |
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MEET THE LOCALS,
Good humoured people, with a lovely accent. Don’t miss their :
MARKETS at Cavalaire, Favière, Port Grimaud,
Ramatuelle, not forgetting the one at Le Lavandou...
LOCAL FAIRS: Corso Fleuri or Mimosa at Bormes in February, the “Terra Fréjus” pottery fair in June, wine and grape harvest festivals in September, chestnuts at Collobrières in October ... |
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THE BEAUTIFUL MAURES MOUNTAINS
(from the Provençal word ‘Mauro’ meaning dark)
The coves and beaches from a strong contrast to the wild, craggy hinterland. Forests of white oak, holm oak and cork oak, maritime pine, stone pine and chestnut cover the northern slopes, with ‘garrigue’ (scrubland) and heath on the southern slopes. |
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