Discover the Var: Coast, Nature and Culture

With 432 kilometres of coastline, the Var offers a wide range of options for different travel interests. Hiking trails, natural areas and historic sites give the département its distinctive character, as do its opportunities for outdoor activities. These include climbing, diving, hiking, horse riding, cycling, rowing, archery, orienteering and water sports. When planning your stay, you can focus on whichever of these appeals to you most.

Hiking trails and natural areas

The Var’s PDIPR hiking trail network includes more than 2,000 kilometres of trails. The network provides access to natural areas and remarkable landscapes and ecological sites, including several of the département’s Espaces naturels sensibles (ENS). The region also lists 800 kilometres of long-distance trails, several hundred kilometres of shorter routes and more than 200 kilometres of the Sentier du Littoral. These figures describe different trail options and give an idea of the variety of hiking opportunities.

One specific route in the Balades en Préalpes varoises leads from Notre-Dame in Bargemon to Mont Lachens. The summit reaches 1,714 metres. The ENS also provide their own way to explore natural areas: they are free to access for everyone, although temporary restrictions may apply at individual sites. Some ENS have Maisons départementales de la nature, which serve as information and activity centres. The département’s free nature outings require registration; check the applicable registration conditions for your chosen date.

When planning a walk in the forest, bear seasonal regulations in mind: access to forests in the Var is regulated from June to September. Before setting out on a hike, consult the daily forest fire risk map.

Bodies of water and special natural areas

The Parc national de Port-Cros was the first marine park established in Europe. It is also a stopover for migratory birds and a habitat for rare Mediterranean bird species, including puffins. At Lac de Saint-Cassien, you can focus on hiking, swimming and fishing; the lake is also important for migratory birds.

Options at the Gorges du Verdon and Lac de Sainte-Croix include canoeing, pedal boats and electric boats, as well as guided walks. The available activities may vary depending on the season and location. Those interested in larger natural areas will also find the Parc naturel régional de la Sainte-Baume in the Var: it extends across 26 municipalities in the départements of Var and Bouches-du-Rhône. The area covers almost 81,000 hectares, of which 80 percent is natural land.

Cultural sites and local traditions

The cultural heritage ranges from Roman structures to monastic complexes. In Fréjus, the Roman aqueduct and amphitheatre are among the notable landmarks. The Abbaye du Thoronet is a listed historic monument and one of Provence’s three Cistercian abbeys. In Saint-Maximin, the basilica and royal convent are part of the Var’s cultural heritage. An annual themed exhibition at the Abbaye de la Celle explores the diversity of the département’s ancient heritage; the programme may change from year to year.

Culinary traditions also shape the calendar: the Var has truffle markets and festivals celebrating chestnuts, chickpeas and figs. Producers sell their products directly at their own estates and at local farmers’ markets. Dates and event programmes may change, so check the latest information if you are planning to travel specifically for a market or festival.

Cycling and travel planning

The département’s cycling guide features 22 circular routes for experienced cyclists and amateurs. The routes described include the plateaux of Bas-Verdon, the Sainte-Baume and the Gorges du Verdon, as well as the Massif du Siou Blanc and Ubac des Maures areas. There are also 13 cyclosport loops and other hilly routes throughout the département. The French section of EuroVelo 8 crosses the Haut Var for more than 135 kilometres from east to west; check the latest route conditions before setting off.

You can tailor your search to the experiences that matter most for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Montmeyan, Le Thoronet, Le Val, Ollières, Ollioules, Pierrefeu-Du-Var, Pignans, La Croix-Valmer, Gassin, Giens, Gonfaron, Grimaud, Hyères, La Cadière-D'azur, Plan-De-La-Tour, La Roquebrussanne, Regusse, Draguignan, La Motte, Callian, Camps-La-Source, Saint-Cyr-Sur-Mer, Cavalaire-Sur-Mer, Chateaudouble, Figanieres, Flassans-Sur-Issole, Flayosc, Fox-Amphoux, Garéoult, La Garde-Freinet, Tourtour, Tourves, Trans-En-Provence, Saint-Zacharie, Sainte-Anastasie-Sur-Issole, Sainte-Maxime, Salernes, Sanary-Sur-Mer, Seillans, Seillons-Source-D'argens, Signes, Sillans-La Cascade, Six-Fours-Les-Plages, Solliès-Pont, Sollies-Toucas, Taradeau, Toulon, Tourrettes, Trigance, Moissac-Bellevue, Forcalqueiret, La Celle, Evenos, Montferrat, Pourcieux, Tavernes, Mazaugues, Les Claux, Cap Bénat, Belgentier, Vinon-Sur-Verdon, Esparron, Vins-Sur-Caramy, Châteauvert, Claviers, Saint-Julien, La Martre, Les Mayons, Aiguines, Comps-Sur-Artuby, Solliès-Ville, Saint-Martin, La Bastide, Tanneron, Roquebrune-Sur-Argens, Puget-Ville, Ginasservis, Plan-D'aups-Sainte-Baume, Bargème, La Roque-Esclapon, La Bouillabaisse, Les Bormettes, Brue-Auriac, Saint-Mandrier-Sur-Mer, Saint-Paul-En-Forêt, Saint-Tropez, Rians, Mons, Montauroux, La Seyne-Sur-Mer, La Valette-Du-Var, Nans-Les-Pins, La Mole, La Garde, La Crau, La Londe-Les-Maures, Meounes-Les-Montrieux, Ramatuelle, Rocbaron, Saint-Antonin-Du-Var, Saint-Raphael, Carces, Carnoules, Entrecasteaux, Fayence, Rayol-Canadel-Sur-Mer, Le Castellet, Le Flayosquet, Le Lavandou, Le Luc, Le Muy, Le Pradet, Le Revest-Les-Eaux, Varages, Vidauban, Villecroze, Les Adrets-De-L'estérel, Les Arcs Sur Argens, Les Salles-Sur-Verdon, Ponteves, Pourrières, Puget-Sur-Argens, La Verdiere, Le Beausset, Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume, Fréjus, Ampus, Artignosc-Sur-Verdon, Aups, Auribeau-Sur-Siagne, Bagnols-En-Forêt, Bandol, Bargemon, Barjols, Baudinard-Sur-Verdon, Bauduen, Besse-Sur-Issole, Bormes-Les-Mimosas, Boulouris-Sur-Mer, Bras, Brignoles, Cabasse, Callas, Cogolin, Collobrieres, Correns, Cotignac, Cuers, La Farlede, Lorgues, Carqueiranne, Montfort-Sur-Argens, Le Cannet-Des-Maures, Neoules.

Return to the main travel overview: Provence-Alpes-Côte D'azur.