The Varoise coast stood in the summer, leaving the words «people ╩»… But as soon as the first cold hunt their follies and paparazzi, the Var becomes much more talkative! He then finds a proud and savage air, Bandol vineyards at the cliffs of Estérel along the coast or following the golden road of the mimosa. Encouraged by the mild climate, Porquerolles, Port-Cros and the island of Levant let themselves go to their nature while villages are animated at the rhythm of Provencal holidays. Even Saint-Tropez plays the game of authenticity and again becomes this small fishing village before the hour. The Var in winter is no point: we offer more generously than it gives to stars.
Cape South
The Var central train station is Toulon, a friendly city, but it will not take us over a day, too eager to find Hyères-les-Palmiers. This quoted coquette has its feet in the water, to its ankles even since it counts the peninsula of Giens in its jupons. The medieval quarter is surrounded by a labyrinth of narrow streets on the Castéou Hill. He took place in the old castle of the castle, bequeathed by the lords of Fos who resisted the time: only the view that embraces land and sea remains timeless. Legends also, and it is said that the collegiate collegiate, Saint Paul, would preserve the treasure of the Templiers… But stories more than legends, Hyères would have to tell since its foundation by the Phocéans of Massalia. So named Olbia, she was a commercial counter whose scale was imagined by visiting the archeological site in the area of Almanarre. The remains of the ramparts, temples and thermes form the most beautiful Greek coastline.
A few centuries later, Hyères knew other epics because of the salts of Provence. By visiting the saline of the Pesquiers, it is easy to measure all the issues of white gold that adorned the safes much more than the Provençal dishes!
One of the important chapters of the city dates back to the last century, when winter tourism comes with the beautiful autos of aristocrats and rich industrialists. It is then customary to build its secondary villa with as much good and imagination as the famous villa Noailles, which became the center of art and architecture. Hyères offers different faces that look to the sea, admiring the nine ports, the pinewood and cliffs that support the peninsula of Giens. Here again we discover another patina, more raw in coves, more authentic in the small ports, more Mediterranean on the long beaches…
Winter Islands
Overcrowded the summer, the islands of Gold regain their tranquility in the first cold. Porquerolles, Port-Cros and the Levant Islands then take advantage of them to let themselves go to their nature. They will not be disturbed by seaside activities, but they will not disturb them more than a day during which the landscape will be always as green. Porquerolles, the first one, takes up wild air of his shoes packed up to the bonnets that are massive and cliffs. We're getting a bicycle through its pine forests. The trails marked over fifty kilometers drive to the beaches. We will also participate in the tastings in one of the three vineyards on the island ╩; Here was one of the first crus classified from the Côtes-de-provence, laid on all the tables in the village. Finally, do not miss Fort Sainte-Agathe, who presents an exhibition of underwater archeology.
Green, green, we'll go to Port Cros after lunch. On the program, swimming for the bravest and walks on the island for others. National park includes 120 species of birds.
Then, through the passage of the Caves, we reach the island of Levant, the summer kingdom of naturists, that the end of the season necessarily rents ↓! Remain his lovely village, the Arbousier, its paths along the nature reserve, its panoramic views and this life suspended «away from everything» that the islanders joyfully animate.
Saint-too easily
It is impossible to talk about the varoise coast, ignoring the most famous village in France. Moreover, it would be a pity to ruin Saint-Tropez who lives in simplicity once the summer. It resumes its little fishing harbor and its character rather proud that history has forged. Well, well, well before the vichy mini-shorts of B.B., Saint-Tropez was less olé oled: He experienced attacks and mostly rebellions as evidenced by the bronze canons of the citadel overlooking the village. Behind the lift bridge, alongside the moss, is the naval museum which tells the naval past and the adventures of Suffren's bailli, a tropezian hero. In view of the religious heritage, we realize that the village has not always had the light thigh of show-biz! The austerity of small chapels, including the benevolent Sainte-Anne, or the church of Notre-Dame-de-l 'Assomption, which lend its bell and its red tiles to all clichés, is astonished.
The museum visit also teaches us that the city does not only expose naked breasts but other collections. The Museum of Annonciade preserves many works of the pictorial avant-garde inspired by the varois landscape. Matisse, Derain, Braque, Dufy and especially Paul Signac are here to honor.
For the rest, we look at the appetization of the Lices, amused by the parts of the petanonly that confront the village's elders; We delight in local specialties to the point of rising, the Tuts and Saturdays morning, to make the Provencal market… Saint-too simple.
A Botanical Paradise
Then we will discover Bormes-les-Mimosas for the Arboretum de Gratteloup and its collection… of course mimosas. Then, in a handful of kilometers, the Mediterranean garden of Domaine du Rayol and the botanical garden of the Myrtes de Sainte-Maxime are followed. We pass through Saint-Raphael before you go to the Esterel massif. Here we have the breath cut less by walking accessible to everyone than by the beauty of sometimes surrealistic landscapes with the light games on the red rock…
Mandelieu-la-Napoule is the final maritime step; he will be given more time, if only to visit the gardens of the medieval castle, at the foot of the département park of Mont-San-Peyre. Then we get into the lands to reach the kingdom of the mimosa: Tanneron, a village with kilometers of golden forests. His paintings show how bluffing nature can be…
The road finally joins the flowered gardens of Grasse, the capital of the city of art and history classified as a city of art and a delicious final point to our getaway.
Smart News
When is it? From the end of the summer and the tourist season to discover the Var easily.
Go there. By plane, direction Toulon. Up to 6 daily flights from Paris-Orly. Count between 60 and 200 € the return trip. By train, take about 4 hours.
AIR FRANCE - More information on the site
VOYAGES SNCF - More information on the site
Useful. To prepare his getaway best.
DEPARTMENTAL TOURISM COMMITTEE - More information on the site
