Le Var offers a different side of southern France from the one usually associated with the Côte d’Azur. Here, you’ll find small, colorful villages, unforgettable natural landscapes, and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see.
The scent of pine trees mingles with salty sea air and mussels marinated in cognac. Vineyards stretch toward the horizon on both sides of the road, and a palm tree casts its shadow over a small stone table outside a bakery.
Many people associate the French Riviera with glitz and glamour, from celebrity favorite Saint-Tropez to luxurious Nice and Cannes, home of the famous film festival. And there’s nothing wrong with any of them. But look away from the superyachts and luxury hotels for a moment, and you’ll discover Le Var, a region with a completely different character.
Saint-Tropez is indeed part of Le Var, but the heart of the region beats elsewhere: in its small villages, at local markets, and in the glass of rosé wine that’s never far away.
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What Can You Experience in Le Var, France?
Le Var brings together the relaxed lifestyle of Provence and the sparkling Mediterranean in an unbeatable combination. In a single week, you can enjoy mussels in a charming harbor town, shop for tapenade and cheese at a local market, explore Roman ruins, and swim in the Mediterranean.
The region is also perfect for hiking and cycling, with trails winding through both coastal landscapes and the countryside inland. And then there’s the wine, of course. No trip to Provence is complete without a wine tasting, and here you’ll find everything from small, family-run estates to large, well-known wineries.
Below, we’ve gathered some of our favorite towns and experiences in Le Var.
Bormes-les-Mimosas
Bormes-les-Mimosas was voted France’s favorite village in 2026, and it’s not hard to understand why. The village looks almost as if it has been lifted straight out of a Disney movie, covered in purple bougainvillea and dotted with colorful details, atmospheric squares, and stairways leading to wonderful viewpoints. Early in the year, from January to March, the mimosa flowers that gave the village its name also paint the streets yellow.
Bormes-les-Mimosas is actually a commune divided into two areas. The village, also known as Le Village, is the historic medieval settlement perched on a hillside. The coastal area, including La Favière and Port de Bormes, is where you’ll find the beaches. It takes around 15 minutes to drive between the two.
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
In Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, the magnificent Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine is the main attraction. The basilica is dedicated to Mary Magdalene, who is believed to have spent her final years in a nearby cave. Visitors can also see what is believed to be her skull, along with other relics, making the church a popular pilgrimage destination. Be sure to leave some time to explore the town’s street art, cozy restaurants, and charming streets, too.
Consider combining your visit with a trip to Château de Valbelle in Tourves, just a 15-minute drive away. The local tourist office organizes a treasure hunt through the castle ruins, which is a fun way to explore the site. For now, the activity is only available in French, but they plan to translate it into English in the near future.
Saint-Raphaël and Fréjus
If you’d rather not drive yourself, Saint-Raphaël is a great place to use as a base. It’s only an hour by train from Nice, and you can also take a ferry to Saint-Tropez. It’s also an excellent starting point for exploring the reddish Estérel mountains.
Saint-Raphaël has a slightly more urban feel than the small inland villages, but a much more relaxed atmosphere than Nice and Cannes. Don’t miss the basilica and the covered Marché République.
About 15 minutes from Saint-Raphaël lies Fréjus, known for its Roman ruins. Here, you can explore the cathedral and cloister, as well as the remains of the ancient Roman aqueduct along Avenue du 15e Corps.
Hyères and the Giens Peninsula
The Giens Peninsula lies near the medieval town of Hyères and is connected to the mainland by a double strip of sand. Between these sandy stretches is a beautiful lagoon where you can spot pink flamingos, while the surrounding coastline offers crystal-clear water.
You can also hike along the dramatic coastal trail, which leads to Musée du Niel. The museum opened in 2023 in a completely renovated villa dating from 1962, surrounded by a beautiful Mediterranean garden.
It was really cool to see how the paintings worked with the interior and the colors of the walls.
After taking in French postwar art and abstract paintings, you can let everything sink in while enjoying something to eat or drink on the museum terrace, which offers wonderful sea views.
How to Get Around Le Var in Provence
Renting a car is well worth it if you want to explore the region’s towns and villages at your own pace. A road trip through Le Var gives you access to much of what the region has to offer, from vineyards to mountain trails.
We always use DiscoverCars when booking rental cars. It lets you compare offers from hundreds of car rental companies and find good deals.
That said, several coastal towns have good train connections, and there are also boat and bus services linking various places in the region.
Where to Stay in Le Var, Provence
Camp du Domaine (Camping and Glamping)
Camping is very popular in Le Var, and it doesn’t necessarily mean pitching a basic tent. Many campsites are well-equipped, with spaces for regular tents and caravans, as well as cabins in various categories, ranging from simple accommodation to glamping.
We stayed at Camp du Domaine, which definitely leaned more toward glamping. We stayed in a mobile home equipped with two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, a toilet, a bathroom with a hot shower, and a large, lovely terrace.
The site has a shop, several restaurants, a gym, activity areas, and even a spa.
The beach and La Favière, where you’ll find several restaurants, are within walking distance.
If you’re traveling with family or want to stay close to nature and the beach, we can highly recommend this place. Book your stay through this link. (You’ll be supporting our work at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much!)
They even have their own brand of wine at the campsite!
Hôtel Le Provençal
Hôtel Le Provençal on the Giens Peninsula is an incredibly charming hotel. The interior combines traditional style with modern touches, and you’ll find all the amenities you could wish for.
The restaurant serves excellent food, and the hotel has a huge outdoor area that includes a wonderful pool area.
Book your stay through this link. (You’ll be supporting our work without paying anything extra. Thank you!)
If you want to discover a different part of France, Le Var is an excellent choice for a beach vacation, road trip, camping holiday, or active getaway. We feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface of this region, and we’ll definitely be back!
P.S. Some of the excursions mentioned in this post were arranged by the Le Var tourist office.
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