The Var

Affichant le titre de second département le plus visité de France, juste après Paris, il attire plus de 10 millions de visiteurs chaque année.

Ce guide est votre passeport pour explorer le Var dans toute sa splendeur, avec ses landscapes diversifiés, son riche heritage historique et culturel, sans oublier ses spécialités culinaires et une panoplie d’activités de loisirs. Que votre cœur balance pour des beaches de sable blanc, des villages pittoresques, des excursions dans les massifs ou la découverte de museums and monuments historiques, le Var promet des expériences inoubliables.

Ready for the tour? Follow the guide!

Var must-sees

The Var, a region rich in discoveries, promises memorable experiences for all types of travelers. Whether you're looking for relaxation, nature, culture or history, the Var is sure to meet your expectations. Here are some of the highlights to explore during your stay.

The beaches and coastline of the Var

With over 400 km of Mediterranean coastline, the Var is a beach-lover's paradise. From white sandy beaches to unspoilt coves, calanques and picturesque islands, the choice is vast.

Ne manquez pas la célèbre plage de Pampelonne à Saint-Tropez, l’incontournable plage de l’Almanarre à Hyères, la magnifique plage de la Nartelle à Sainte-Maxime ou encore la charmante plage de l’Estagnol à Bormes-les-Mimosas. Ces lieux offrent également des activités nautiques variées, allant de la voile à la plongée, en passant par le paddle et le jet-ski.

Perched villages

Le Var est jalonné de villages perchés au charme provençal indéniable. Ces villages séduisent par leurs históriques maisons en pierre, leurs ruelles ornées de fleurs, leurs fontaines rafraîchissantes, leurs churches anciennes et leurs châteaux imposants. Gassin, surplombant le golfe de Saint-Tropez, Cotignac au pied d’une remarquable falaise troglodytique, Le Castellet avec son célèbre circuit automobile, Seillans qui a charmé le peintre Max Ernst, et Tourtour, offrant une vue imprenable sur la Provence, sont quelques-uns des plus beaux villages à visiter.

The islands of Hyères: Porquerolles and Port-Cros

The îles d'Hyères archipelago, located off the coast of Hyères, is made up of three islands, of which Porquerolles and Port-Cros are the best known. Porquerolles, classified as a national park, offers a wide variety of landscapes, from dazzling white sand beaches to verdant pine forests, authentic vineyards and majestic cliffs.

On Porquerolles, as on Port-Cros, a national park renowned for its ecological wealth, you can go hiking, biking, diving or snorkeling to discover exceptional terrestrial and marine environments.

The third island, Le Levant, known as a naturist island, also offers magnificent beaches and wild coves, although it is less frequented than its neighbors.

The Esterel Massif and the Corniche d'Or

Between Saint-Raphaël and Cannes, the Massif de l'Esterel stands out for its impressive glowing volcanic rocks. Discover breathtaking panoramas of the Côte d'Azur on foot, by bike or on horseback.

The Corniche d'Or, a road running along the coast, offers spectacular views of the calanques, capes and islands, completing the wealth of landscapes to be admired in the Var.

Nature and discovery in the Var

The Var department is a veritable oasis of nature and discovery. Whether you're a wildlife lover, a thrill-seeker or an epicurean looking to explore local flavours, the Var is sure to please. Discover the must-sees for your stay below.

Natural parks and protected areas

Rich in biodiversity, the Var's nature parks and protected areas are a tribute to the region's natural beauty. Visit the Parc National de Port-Cros, Europe's first national marine park, home to remarkable flora and fauna. Explore the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon, which includes the impressive Gorges du Verdon, Europe's largest canyon, and Lac de Sainte-Croix, the Verdon's largest lake. And don't miss the Parc Naturel Régional de la Sainte-Baume, spanning the Sainte-Baume and Sainte-Victoire massifs, where breathtaking panoramas await you.

Hiking and outdoor activities

Le Var est un paradis pour les amateurs de randonnée et d’activités en plein air, offrant des sentiers qui conviennent à tous les niveaux. Entre mountains et mer, ces parcours offrent des vues spectaculaires. Profitez des sports aquatiques comme le canoë-kayak, le paddle, la voile, ou la plongée dans les eaux turquoise de la Méditerranée ou des lakes du Verdon. Pour des moments inoubliables, initiez-vous à l’escalade, au parapente, au canyoning, ou au rafting, des activités garantissant frissons et adrénaline.

The Provence Wine Route

Renowned for its vineyards producing exceptional wines, including world-famous rosés, the Var invites you to explore the Provence Wine Route. Discover the vineyards, their know-how and tradition. Savor wines with delicate aromas, perfect companions to local specialties such as tapenade, anchoïade, ratatouille or bouillabaisse. Don't forget to visit charming villages such as Le Castellet, Bandol, Saint-Tropez or Lorgues, true havens of conviviality and authenticity.

Le Verdon: Adventures around the Grand Canyon du Var

The Verdon, one of the wonders of the Var, fascinates many visitors every year with its spectacular canyon shaped by the river over more than 50 km between the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Var. An ideal place for nature lovers and adventurers, offering a variety of activities including hiking, cycling, swimming, picnics, cruises and electric boat excursions. For the more adventurous, climbing, canyoning, rafting and bungee jumping are also available. An unmissable destination for memorable experiences in the Var.

Var culture and heritage

The Var is an area with a rich cultural heritage, offering a wide range of attractions including historic monuments, museums, festivals, markets, artisans and culinary specialties. These elements reflect the exceptional identity and diversity of this region.

During your stay, discover the many facets of the Var's culture and heritage.

Historical heritage and museums

Marqué par une histoire riche en évènements, le Var regorge de monuments ancrés dans son passé, incluant des invasions, des guerres et des influences culturelles variées. Visitez d’impressionnants édifices comme l’abbaye du Thoronet, un bijou d’architecture cistercienne, le château de la Napoule abritant une collection d’art, ou encore la majestueuse église de Saint-Maximin, qui conserve les reliques de Marie-Madeleine. Sans oublier le fort de Brégançon, résidence des présidents de la République Française.

Enrich your knowledge by exploring the Var's many museums, covering a wide variety of fields such as art, history, the navy and much more.

Festivals and cultural events

The Var is a cultural hotspot all year round, offering festivals in fields as varied as music, theater, dance and cinema, with artists of both local and international renown. Don't miss such not-to-be-missed events as the Festival de Ramatuelle, the Festival International du Film de Comédie de l'Alpe d'Huez, the Festival International de Mode et de Photographie de Hyères, and the Festival International de Musique de Chambre de Provence.

You can also take part in events celebrating local heritage, traditions and know-how, such as the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) or the Fête de la Lavande (Lavender Festival).

Local crafts and Provencal markets

The Var promotes its local crafts, reflecting the creativity and quality of its artisans' products, working with materials such as wood, glass and leather. Visit workshops to discover and learn the techniques of these arts and crafts.

Provencal markets are an opportunity to savor the conviviality and gourmet delights of the Var, with fresh, local produce and typical Provencal products such as olive oil and lavender.

Spécialités culinaires et gastronomy du Var

The Var offers exquisite gastronomy, featuring local produce and Mediterranean influences. Sample specialties such as bouillabaisse or tarte tropézienne, and explore the Provence wine route for a notable oenological experience among the Var's wine estates, renowned for their quality rosés.

Conclusion

As you will have discovered, the Var is a captivating department, A region capable of satisfying all your desires, whether they revolve around relaxation, exploration, culture or gastronomy. The department boasts an incredible wealth of landscapes, places of interest, activities, traditions and culinary specialities, promising a memorable vacation.

Don't delay in organizing your trip to the Var to explore this remarkable territory. An experience you won't soon forget!

FAQ

What is the name of department 83?

The 83 département is known as the Var, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

What is the composition of the communes in the Var?

There are 153 communes in the Var département, part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Of these, Toulon is the most populous and serves as the department's capital.

What is the prefecture of the Var department?

Toulon is the prefecture of the Var, taking over from Draguignan as the department's capital in 1974.

What are the 6 largest towns in the Var?

The six largest towns in the Var include Toulon, La Seyne-sur-Mer, Fréjus, Hyères, Draguignan and Six-Fours-les-Plages, with populations of 180,452, 62,763, 57,082, 55,103, 39,745 and 36,203 respectively, according to INSEE data.