The Var

Set between the Bouches-du-Rhône to the West, the Alpes Maritimes to the East and the Alpes de Haute Provence to the North, the Var region is where Provence and French Riviera meet... From Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer to Saint-Raphaël, the Var spans 400 km of Mediterranean coasts and is adorned, from North to South, with nearly a million acres of woodland, making it France's second most forested region.

Alternating red porphyry fjords, sandy and pebble beaches, discrete little coves, islands and hilly peninsulas, the Var's coast is particularly well protected and harbours wild but accessible natural landscapes that visitors can admire along the coastal footpath.

The inland country is just as varied as the coast, with its wooded hills, farming plains, lakes, rivers and dizzy canyons. It is this mosaic of varied and highly-contrasted landscapes that lend this colourful region its unique character, authenticity and identity, making it France's second leading tourist destination after Paris.

Le Var : a Seaside Destination

The beauty of its seascapes, sea beds and lakes has made the Var one of today's most sought-after water sports destinations! Visitors will love our vast choice of 230 sandy beaches and little coves. Set in azure-blue waters, the islands of Embiez, Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant offer delightful excursion opportunities.

Le Var, a Culture and Heritage Destination

Get ready for plenty of surprises in the Var! To satisfy your desire for new experiences, the Var offers over 80 museums, no less than 30 parks and gardens and countless monuments, including a majestic Gothic basilica, gracious clock towers floating in azure skies, a Jardin des Méditerranées (Mediterranean Garden), Remarkable Gardens, fishing villages and hilltop villages, the so-called "Red Faced" bauxite mining museum and Maison du Chocolat... cultivate your curiosity!

Le Var, a Nature Destination

Set out on our magnificent and varied walking and hiking itineraries running uphill and down dale from the Verdon Canyon to the Mediterranean sea. Catering for both casual and confirmed walkers, the Var's signposted footpaths cover the entire area and span forests, the Artuby-Verdon area, northern Provence Verte area and the coast. Most are suitable for walkers, cyclists and riders.

Le Var, a Terroir Destination

A wonderful combination of Provence and Côte d'Azur, the Var's sunny climate and rich soil offers up a truly exceptional terroir, instilled with the typical tastes and flavours of the South. The Var's many AOCs, designations and quality labels are synonymous with quality and reward the work of our impassioned producers. On the food front, many of the Var's star-rated restaurants give priority to local produce.

Le Var, a Family Destination

The Var is an ideal destination for all the family, with a plethora of activities to enjoy as a couple or with the kids! Attractions include museums, animal, water and amusement parks, parks and gardens, bowling alleys, go-karting, paintball, treasure hunts and circus schools!