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The French Riviera, Provence – these names alone conjure dreams of summer vacations, cicadas, and the Mediterranean. Beyond lavender fields and turquoise coves, the Var is a collection of mythical villages, colorful ports, and countryside hamlets, known for their representation by the Impressionists, appearances in popular films, and, above all, their beauty that attracts thousands of tourists from all over every year!
Gassin, Cotignac, Saint-Tropez... Discover the most beautiful villages and towns in the Var!
Located between Toulon and Saint-Tropez, Le Lavandou is primarily known for its 12 unique sandy beaches, ranging from intimate coves to panoramic stretches! But this coastal village also boasts a charming town center, enlivened by its colorful alleyways and marina.
A favorite activity of Lavandou residents is the Provencal market held every Thursday morning, year-round! The stalls offer fresh, seasonal products from local agriculture, artisanal creations, and regional specialties: truffles and sea urchins in winter, strawberries and jams in spring, sun-ripened vegetables in summer, chestnuts and mushrooms in autumn!
Perched on a hill overlooking the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Gassin, from its beautiful fortified square Dei Barri, offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean, the Maures mountains, the Golden Isles, and the surrounding vineyards. Strolling through its narrow streets, past stone houses and gardens full of bougainvillea, is one of the region's favorite activities!
In the 1960s, faced with the exponential tourist development of the Saint-Tropez region, Gassin almost lost all its inhabitants: almost all the houses in the historic center had become second homes! Architect Spoerry (whom we'll talk about later) was then commissioned to create a new town to revitalize the historic center, a new neighborhood accessible to all and architecturally harmonious with the rest of the city. Successful bet!
Accessible only by boat, the island of Porquerolles reveals preserved landscapes, between wild coves and fragrant maquis trails. The island has two faces: a rugged coastline and protected coves on one side, a long sandy beach and turquoise waters on the other! Nature lovers will be delighted by the diversity of its fauna and flora, while sun-seekers will enjoy its paradisiacal beaches to the north.
Most accommodations are located in the port, but a few isolated houses, for those seeking absolute tranquility, are available on the island.
Ranked among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, Bormes-les-Mimosas enchants with its Provencal charm and flowery streets. In February, it's the mimosas that bloom throughout the city, a floral sun that gives way to multicolored bougainvilleas for the rest of the year! From bright yellow to fuchsia pink, the city is constantly bathed in the colors of its flowering gardens.
In addition to this floral wonder, the colorful facades, ancient fountains, and the Brégançon fort make it a must-visit destination for lovers of authenticity. Don't forget to look at the names of the streets: Rompi-Cuou, Venelle des Amoureux, or Plaine des Ânes contribute to the rural charm of this medieval city!
Certified "Most Beautiful Village of France" since recently, Cotignac has truly earned its medal: built in the heart of green hills and forests, it has an eclectic style that combines colorful Provencal-style houses and troglodytic houses built into the tufa cliffs against which the city has developed.
Here, people enjoy walks under the plane trees of the town center, visiting the caves that once served as refuge for the inhabitants, lively markets, or hikes on the surrounding trails. In summer, the village comes alive and offers a flea market, an artisan market, a festival, outdoor cinema, or theater under the stars every day... A charming village to discover preferably in the summer to get the best possible experience!
Technically, Port Grimaud is not a village in its own right, but a lakeside city belonging to the municipality of Grimaud, which extends along the coast and inland all the way up to the castle of the same name.
Port Grimaud was originally a combination of marshes and flooded plains, used for agricultural activities. But in the 1960s, faced with the exponential development of the region, the visionary architect François Spoerry designed a unique port, conceived so that each house would have its own mooring point at the end of the garden!
Not a fan of sleek and homogeneous architectures, Spoerry imagined a city full of colorful houses with diverse designs, all facing the water so that everyone could moor their boat there. A successful project, the city is now a high tourism destination, both for its undeniable charm and its proximity to Saint-Tropez!
Nestled in the hills of Esterel, on the border with the Alpes Maritimes department, the Fayence area consists of 9 small perched villages: Callian, Mons, Montauroux, Saint-Paul-en-Forêt, Seillans, Tanneron, Tourrettes, Bagnols-en-Forêt... and Fayence!
A municipality renowned for its breathtaking views of the region, but also for its charm and authenticity: Fayence is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France! One can stroll with pleasure along the cobbled streets, past stone houses with colorful shutters, under the vaulted arches and in the shade of trees in the small squares.
But Fayence is not just another peaceful village: the village has a vibrant cultural life, marked by numerous artistic and festive events throughout the year!
Hyères is one of the oldest French seaside resorts! In the 19th century, the city charmed with its very fashionable "orientalist" aspect and its numerous palm trees lining the streets. Although many of them have disappeared today, the city kept the lovely nickname of "city of palm trees", a beautiful historic center, and some remnants of large architect-designed villas built over the years.
Hyères is still a touristy and dynamic city, with fine sandy beaches, preserved natural parks, renowned historical sites, and privileged access to the Giens Peninsula and the Golden Isles (also called the Hyères Islands): Porquerolles, Port-Cros, and Le Levant.
Few cities in France have as much duplicity as Saint-Tropez: in summer, it's a festival of celebrities, champagne, and yachts, lazily moored in front of the red terrace of Sénéquier, where everyone comes for breakfast after a long night.
In winter, however, Saint-Tropez changes to become the small fishing port it once was, before the "gendarmes" (from the movie) and paparazzi. Here you'll find the charm of its steep, colorful streets, its citadel overlooking the gulf, and its must-visit market, more local and less crowded. Because Saint-Tropez is above all an authentic and charming city, a maze of alleys and flowered gardens!
A city with two faces, therefore, luxury boutiques and upscale restaurants on one side, cobbled streets and Provencal houses on the other!
So it's not just the white sandy beaches and the Mediterranean sun that attract tourists and new residents to Var, but also a southern lifestyle and the beauty of Provencal villages. Indeed, there are many more Var villages worth visiting, so many that it would be difficult to fit them all into one article! We haven't talked about them here, but the villages of Tourtour, Bargème, Le Castellet, Villecroze, Garéoult, Forcalqueiret, Le Castellet, Collobrières, and Evenos also deserve mention as the most beautiful villages and cities in Var. Just so you know!
