The Var is a magnificent département with an exceptional beauty and diversity of landscapes. Between sea, mountains and a hinterland dotted with vineyards and charming villages, the place is simply spectacular. If you're looking for a quiet vacation away from mass tourism, a visit to the charming villages of the Var should be just what you're looking for. You'll discover places with the warm, picturesque atmosphere typical of Provencal villages. In this article, we present the top 14 of the Var's most beautiful villages to visit.
1. Le Lavandou and its beaches
The village of Le Lavandou is said to have been founded by Genoese fishermen, and there are three hypotheses as to the origin of its name: "lavadou" (Provençal for wash-house), "lavandula stoechas" (a variety of lavender) or "le lavendour", an easterly wind known as "lévent dur". Until 1913, Le Lavandou was a district of Bormes, before becoming an independent commune. Entirely sea-facing, Le Lavandou is one of the most popular tourist resorts on the Var coast. Its port can accommodate up to one thousand one hundred pleasure boats, and its twelve beaches are undoubtedly its main attraction. Its nickname of "resort of twelve sands" is well deserved.
To book : Go here to book a guided tour on the little tourist train to discover Le Lavandou and its magnificent beaches.
Read more: What to do in Le Lavandou 13 must-sees
2. Bargème: a medieval atmosphere like no other
It's one of the most beautiful villages in the Var: Bargème is also one of our top 15 most beautiful villages in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, and for good reason! Perched at an altitude of 1,097 metres, Bargème is the highest village in the Var. This feudal village will delight lovers of the Middle Ages with its castle, whose keep and towers can still be seen today, although it was destroyed during the Wars of Religion. Nestled in a green setting, Bargème is home to a number of typical chapels, including the chapelle Saint-Antoine, one of the oldest in the département. Located less than 20 km from the Gorges du Verdon, it's an ideal place to immerse yourself in nature.
See also What to see and do in the Gorges du Verdon? Top 13 activities and visits
3. Port-Grimaud, the "Little Venice of Provence
Often dubbed the "Little Venice of Provence", Port-Grimaud is an entirely man-made community located 5.5 kilometers from Grimaud. In 1966, it was nothing more than a large, mosquito-infested swamp at the mouth of the Giscle River, closing off the seaside plain of Grimaud. The visionary architect François Spoerry set about reclaiming this marshland and creating a sort of artificial Venice, a lakeside city of multiple canals lined with Provençal-style houses. This unique architectural ensemble, listed as a 20th-century heritage site in 2002, has now been awarded the "Remarkable Contemporary Architecture" label since 2018.
What to book : Discover Port Grimaud and the medieval village of Grimaud on this train excursion through the French countryside, where you'll learn about local medieval history and visit the town's castle.
Read more: What to do in the Var? The 23 must-sees
4. La Cadière-D'Azur, a typical Provencal village
This typical Provencal village has preserved its medieval architecture intact. It's ideal for exploring on foot, starting from the east via the Porte Mazarine. As you stroll through its lanes and flower-filled squares, rich in history, you'll discover the 16th-century Porte Saint-Jean and the Chapelle Sainte-Magdeleine, built on the ruins of the feudal castle. Reaching the rocky outcrop, you'll come to the Place des Pénitents-Blancs, home to a stone and ceramic orientation table created by Anne-Marie Surlier, a local potter. Today, winegrowing predominates, but crafts also play a major role in the life of La Cadière-D'Azur.
Read more: Top 6 outdoor experiences on the Côte d'Azur
5. Châteaudouble and its two castles
The village of Châteaudouble takes its name from the two castles on its territory. One stands at the top of the village, while the other is on a cliff overlooking the Nartuby Gorge, providing a secure entrance to the valley. The remains of the ancient keep can be seen from a platform overlooking the village. Notre-Dame church, built in 1550, features a pentagonal choir and a 17th-century gilded wooden altarpiece. Nearby prehistoric caves, such as Grotte des Chèvres and Grotte de Mouret, offer great exploration opportunities for speleologists. The village, one of the most beautiful in the Var, thus offers a wealth of outdoor activities and a rich heritage.
Read more: The Var, slow-tourism and inland hiking
6. Villecroze with its arcades and narrow streets
Situated at an altitude of 350 meters on a departmental road leading to the Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Gorges du Verdon, Villecroze is protected from the mistral by a mountain range of pines and holm oaks. Its park with its rare tree species, troglodytic caves, waterfall and numerous springs add a fresh, green touch to the village. The old village has retained its medieval character, with arcades and narrow streets. The campanile, the ancient keep adjacent to the castle, the 12th-century Saint-Victor chapel and the 17th-century Romanesque church are well worth a visit.
Read more: Which campsite to choose in the Var: here are 10 you won't want to miss!
7. Entrecasteaux, its château and formal garden
Situated in the valley of the Bresque, a tributary of the Argens, this village belonged successively to the Castellane family, the Counts of Provence, the Grignans, and finally to Admiral Bruni d'Entrecasteaux. The large four-storey châteaunow privately owned, replaced an 11th-century fortified building. Entirely restored and furnished with period objects by its current owner, who lives there and maintains it, it offers a visit rich in discoveries. There's a Louis XIV salon, an Empire salon, a Baroque music salon, an Oriental suite, an antique kitchen, a curiosity cabinet and a dungeon. The magnificent French garden, designed by Le Nôtre, is a must-see.
8. Sillans la Cascade and its magnificent waterfall
In Sillans la Cascade, you'll find the former château of the Counts of Castellane, dating from the 18th century and now home to the town hall and exhibition halls. The ramparts have preserved their impressive 11th-century crenellated towers. However, the village's main attraction is a natural curiosity: a magnificent 42-meter-highwaterfall on the course of the Bresque, which flows into a small turquoise lake. A path through the woods leads to the waterfall. Upstream, just outside the village, a bathing site called "La Plagette" is open to the public. For cycling enthusiasts, the EV8, the Mediterranean cycling route no. 8, also passes through the village.
Read more: Top 15 of France's most beautiful waterfalls
9. Gassin, one of France's most beautiful villages
Perched at an altitude of 201 meters, Gassin is one of the most beautiful villages in both the Var and France. It offers breathtaking views across the Gulf of Saint-Tropez to the Alps. Follow the Deï Barri promenade, lined with century-old hackberry trees, for a breathtaking view of Cavalaire and the Golden Isles. The narrow streets lead to the Passage du Guet, also known as the Porte des Sarrasins, as well as Rue du Puits and Rue du Moulin, once home to an olive oil mill. Don't miss l'Androuno, the narrowest street in the village, where only one pedestrian can pass at a time, and the fortified Barri terrace . The village extension was awarded the Philippe Rotthier architecture prize.
Read more: Top 25 most beautiful villages in France
10. Tourtour, the "village in the Provence sky
Nicknamed the "village in the sky of Provence", Tourtour is also classified as one of France's most beautiful villages. Perched at an altitude of 635 meters, this medieval village has preserved vestiges of its fortifications, narrow streets, covered passageways, numerous fountains where water murmurs, old facades, the clock tower and its campanile. The 17th-century château, flanked by four corner towers (some of which are pepperboxes), now houses the town hall, tourist office and post office. In front of the town hall, two sculptures by the painter Bernard Buffet, who lived and died in Tourtour, are on display.
Read more: Top 11 hikes in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur
11. Cotignac, an atmosphere like no other
One of the most beautiful villages in the Var, Cotignac offers a typically Provencal atmosphere, with its plane-shaded squares and lively boutiques and cafés. This authentic atmosphere invites you to explore the streets and alleys to admire the carefully restored and decorated ochre-colored houses. Markets, flea markets, festivals: Cotignac never misses an opportunity to liven up its daily life and encourage encounters, especially in summer. Don't miss a visit to Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary, offering magnificent views over the plain and surrounding hills. Nature around Cotignac is equally splendid, with pine, cypress, olive, oak and Mediterranean vegetation under an often blue sky.
Read more: Top 15 most beautiful villages in the South of France
12. Seillans and its houses clinging to the slopes of Mont Malay
The houses in this commune, listed as one of "France's most beautiful villages", seem to have stepped straight out of the Middle Ages, clinging to the slopes of Mont Malay. The narrow cobbled streets climb up to the castle, which dominates the plain with its imposing mass. You can explore them ona self-guided tour entitled "Au fil des ruelles", organized by the Pays de Fayence tourist office. Note also that a guided tour of the village is offered by the tourist office every Thursday morning at 10 a.m., by reservation only (€3 per person, minimum five people). A modest market is also held on Wednesday mornings.
Read more: What to do in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region? The 21 most beautiful places to visit
13. Mons, at the end of the world
This charming little village perched on a rocky outcrop is one of the most beautiful villages in the Var. Culminating at an altitude of 814 meters, it is the highest village in the region, offering magnificent views. After the great plague of 1348 decimated the population, the lord of Mons, Antoine de Villeneuve, encouraged Ligurian families to settle here. The ramparts and fortified gates are well preserved, and the cool, intimate streets are pleasant to stroll along in summer. Don't miss the Pénitents Blancs chapel, the Château Vieux, or the ancient Romanesque church of Sancti Victoris. An orientation table is located in Place Saint-Sébastien.
14. Tourrettes, an unusual open-air art gallery
This village, built in the 11th century at an altitude of 400 meters between sea and mountains, is easily recognizable from afar thanks to its castle, erected around 1830. From the Place de l'Horloge, the highest point, you can admire the Maures massif, the Estérel and the Mediterranean on the horizon thanks to an orientation table. An incredible labyrinth of narrow streets, ancient doorways, rustic porches and old stones steeped in history and legend offers an astonishing tour of Tourrettes . In the heart of the village, in a unique setting, some 80 artists' works adorn the facades, doors and shutters of the houses, creating an unusual open-air art gallery.
Did you know? If the Var is a department that invites you to relax, it's not only because it boasts superb rolling landscapes and beaches with translucent waters, but also because you can spend a pleasant moment at Terre Blanche, in Tourrettes, one of the best spas in France.
