Var places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Var department of Provence. See also our Var travel guide
Agay
Agay is a very small Riviera resort to the south of the Massif d'Esterel See guide
Aiguines
Aiguines is a small traditional Provencal village between the Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Gorges du Verdon See guide
Aups
This pleasant town is interesting to visit during your stay near the Gorges du Verdon See guide
Bagnols-en-Foret
Bagnols-en-Foret is a pleasant town close to the popular Gorges of the Blavet River See guide
Bandol
The beach and the harbour, the bustling old town and the vineyards nearby all contribute to making Bandol a very popular destination See guide
Bargeme
More than 1000 metres above sea-level, it is no surprise that the views are as much part of the attraction as the historic village in Bargeme See guide
Barjols
The most striking characteristic of Barjols is the large number of washhouses, fountains and waterfalls which are found in almost every shady square and corner See guide
Bauduen
Bauduen is a pretty village with a beach on the shores of Lac de Sainte-Croix in Provence See guide
Bormes-les-Mimosas
The lovely historic centre of Bormes-le-Mimosas overflows with plants and flowers See guide
Callian
You might lose all sense of orientation in the winding streets of Callian- keep going uphill and eventually you will reach the castle! See guide
Cavalaire-sur-Mer
The focus at family-friendly Cavalaire-sur-Mer is firmly on the beach and related activities See guide
Draguignan
Much of the medieval centre of Draguignan is now lost, but the town will be on your list if you want to find a good shopping experience See guide
Entrecasteaux
Entrecasteaux is a traditional Provencal town between the Gorges du Verdon and the French Riviera See guide
Fayence
Fayence itself is a pleasant, unspoiled small town and well placed to explore the pretty villages of the Pays de Fayence region See guide
Flayosc
A stroll to admire the fountains in the quiet historic centre of Flayosc is a perfect contrast to some of the more visited Provencal towns See guide
Frejus
Among other historic sites, the town of Frejus has one of the best ancient baptisteries in France See guide
Gassin
Gassin, listed as a 'most beautiful village in France' is high on a hill above Saint-Tropez See guide
Grimaud
The scenic village of Grimaud is made even more charming by the many gardens and flowers in the village See guide
Hyeres
Hyères has an extended historic centre with parks and a castle as well as a charming 19th century quarter in the town See guide
Iles d'Hyeres
The Iles de Hyeres, off the Riviera coast, are perhaps the most beautiful coastal islands anywhere in France See guide
La Croix-Valmer
It is the wide choice of beaches that attracts most visitors to La Croix-Valmer See guide
Le Lavandou
Le Lavandou is a quiet resort on the Cote d'Azur with several beaches close by See guide
Les-Arcs-sur-Argens
Les Arcs, with its historical Parage quarter, is a very lovely historical town See guide
Lorgues
The town of Lorgues is quite a quiet town, and very typical of Provencal towns in having a historic centre to explore See guide
Massif de l'Esterel
The Massif d'Esterel is a substantial region of countryside on the riviera with hiking trails through the red-rock scenery See guide
Mons
The elevated position of Mons, at 800 metres altitude, means the views across the Mediterranean stretch an extraordinary distance See guide
Montauroux
Most visitors will combine a trip to Montauroux with some time at the leisure Lake of Saint-Cassien nearby See guide
Port Grimaud
The port at Port Grimaud, and the colourful houses along the waterfront, is mostly quite new and very beautifully maintained See guide
Presqu'ile de Giens
The Presqu'ile de Giens is a peninsula with beaches, a nature reserve, pretty coastline and small ports to explore See guide
Ramatuelle
A small village just a short distance inland from Saint-Tropez, Ramatuelle can become rather busy - but is also very recommended... See guide
Roquebrune-sur-Argens
Roquebrune-sur-Argens combines a traditional Provencal village, a beach resort...and a great chocolate shop! See guide
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer
The beaches such as Les Lecques, the forest and the pleasant town make Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer a popular summer resort See guide
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume
The principal monument here in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume is the Basilica of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine See guide
Saint-Raphael
The clean and popular resort of Saint-Raphael is one of our favourites along this section of the Riviera See guide
Saint-Tropez
As well as its very famous harbour, town centre and beach Saint-Tropez also has a charming medieval village centre to explore See guide
Sainte-Maxime
Sainte-Maxime has a small town to explore, but it is as a popular family beach resort that it is better known See guide
Salernes
Nicely situated in the Bresque river valley, both the medieval quarter and the shady valley in Salernes should feature on your itinerary See guide
Sanary-sur-Mer
The historic boats and the palm trees around the pretty harbour are the highlight in Sanary-sur-Mer, with various beaches close to hand See guide
Seillans
The village of Seillans is a perched village in the Pays de Fayence region of Provence, now listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France' See guide
Toulon
A town with its focus firmly to the sea, Toulon is the base for the French Naval fleet and the National Museum of the Navy as well as having a large attractive pleasure port and harbour See guide
Tourrettes
The small village of Tourrettes is one of several perched villages in the Pays de Fayence region of Provence See guide
Tourtour
Tourtour is a very attractive and traditional Provencal village with a great deal to enjoy See guide
Trigance
Trigance is a charming small village and castle to the east of the Gorges du Verdon See guide
Villecroze
Villecroze is a charming small village with a quaint historic centre and a park with troglodyte dwellings See guideFor more information see the Var guide
Market towns & days in Var
all markets in morning unless otherwise stated
Aups: Wednesday & Saturday
Bandol: Tuesday
Bormes-les-Mimosas: Wednesday & Saturday
Brignoles: Saturday
Carces: Saturday
Carqueiranne: Thursday
Cavalaire-sur-Mer: Wednesday
Cogolin: Wednesday & Saturday
Cotignac: Tuesday
Cuers: Friday
Draguignan: Wednesday & Saturday
Fayence: Tuesday & Thursday & Saturday
Frejus: Wednesday & Tuesday & Sunday & Saturday
Gareoult: Tuesday
Gonfaron: Thursday
Hyeres: Wednesday & Tuesday & Sunday & Saturday & Friday
La Crau: Wednesday
La Croix-Valmer: Sunday
La Garde: Tuesday & Saturday & Friday
La Londe-les-Maures: Sunday
Le Beausset: Sunday & Friday
Le Lavandou: Thursday
Le Luc: Friday
Le Muy: Thursday & Sunday
Le Pradet: Friday
Les Arcs: Thursday
Lorgues: Tuesday
Pierrefeu-du-Var: Tuesday
Ramatuelle: Thursday & Thursday & Sunday & Sunday
Roquebrune-sur-Argens: Friday
Saint Cyr sur Mer: Sunday
Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer: Saturday
Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume: Wednesday
Saint-Raphael: Tuesday & Monday
Tourist attractions to visit in Var
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
Zoo or wildlife park
Parc zoologique de Fréjus
Zoo du Mont Faron
4* Towns in Bloom
Bormes-les-Mimosas: See tourist guide
Hyeres: See tourist guide
Sanary-sur-Mer: See tourist guide
Towns of Art and History
Frejus: See tourist guide
Listed 'Remarkable Gardens'
Domaine d'Orvès
Domaine du Rayol
Jardin de Baudouvin
Jardin du castel Sainte Claire
Jardin d’Elie Alexis
Jardin d’oiseaux tropicaux
Jardin Germaine l’Hardy-Denonain
Le Plantier de Costebelle
Parc Olbius Riquier
Parc Saint Bernard
Religious Monuments
Abbaye de La Celle (La Celle)
Abbaye du Thoronet (Le Thoronet)
Cathédrale Saint Léonce (Frejus)
Eglise de St Raphaël (Saint-Raphael)
Towns classified as Recommended Detours
Grimaud: See tourist guide
Ollioules
Saint Cyr sur Mer: See tourist guide
National Monuments
Frejus Cathedral cloisters
Thoronet Abbey
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Gassin: See tourist guide
Seillans: See tourist guide
Tourtour: See tourist guide
Grand Sites of France
Montagne Sainte-Victoire