Discover Carqueiranne: Parks, Sailing and History

Carqueiranne offers travelers several ways to shape their trip, whether they are interested in coastal scenery, plants, water sports or history. First, consider which focus matters most for your trip.

Green spaces and plants

The Parc des Pins Penchés has been a listed site since 1938 and is located by the sea, east of Port des Salettes. The Parc Saint-Vincent offers something different: it includes a botanical garden with more than 100 plant species. The two parks therefore differ in what makes them distinctive: the Parc des Pins Penchés is notable for its seaside location and listed status, while the Parc Saint-Vincent stands out for its diversity of plants. If you want to include nature in your trip plans, you can choose between a park by the sea and a botanical focus.

Coastal trail

The Sentier du Littoral includes the “Balade autour des forteresses” route for Le Pradet and Carqueiranne. If you plan to take this route, check local access conditions before setting out. The route is another option to consider when planning your trip, alongside the parks and water sports.

Sailing and water sports

When weather conditions are suitable, the École de Voile Municipale in Carqueiranne offers an introduction to sailing as well as other water sports, including Optimist sailing, catamaran sailing, stand-up paddleboarding and sea kayaking. Nautical holiday courses take place at All Saints’ Day, Easter and in summer; sailing lessons are held on Wednesdays throughout the year. The seasonal program may change. If you are planning around these activities, check the dates in advance. This lets you take the listed course times into account when choosing when to travel, without treating the different activities as interchangeable.

History and remembrance

Fort de la Bayarde is a battery dating from 1890. The municipality acquired the fort from the French Navy in 1988. The two dates mark different milestones: the construction of the battery and its later acquisition by the municipality.

The Fête de la Saint-Louis is a traditional celebration in Carqueiranne honoring the patron saint of the Port des Salettes harbor. On August 24, 2025, Père Christophe Beaublat blessed the boats; a wreath was then thrown into the sea in remembrance of the deceased.

On Pointe Peno, a stele erected in 1921 commemorates a father and his son. The father, a scientist and humanist, helped bring aviation to France: in 1896 and 1897, he launched a steam-powered flying machine over the sea. His son died in combat as a pilot. The stele thus commemorates both men and the father’s early flight experiments, adding a personal story to Carqueiranne’s historical themes.

Discover more destinations: Ponteves, Boulouris-Sur-Mer, Sainte-Anastasie-Sur-Issole, Hyères, Gassin, La Seyne-Sur-Mer, Aups, La Croix-Valmer.

For the broader travel overview: Var.