The least we can say is that Bandol is spoiled! In addition to the treasures that the city contains, it is also surrounded by superb surroundings. Indeed, just a stone's throw from your future dream rental, there are charming towns with attractive attractions. In this series of articles, we want to highlight these gems of the Var. After Sanary-sur-Mer, our tour takes us to the neighboring town of Saint-Cyr-sur-mer.
Summary:
- Where is Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer?
- What are the market days in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer?
- What are the beaches in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer?
- Where to walk in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer?
- What to do in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer?
- How do I get to Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer from Bandol?
- Why choose Bandol for your next vacation in the Var?
WHERE IS saint-cyr-SUR-MER?
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer is a pretty Var town of around 12 inhabitants. The Saint-Cyriens and Saint-Cyriennes, as they are called, live very close to Bandol. Indeed, the two municipalities are neighbors. So one begins where the other ends and the other begins where one ends. Quite simply.
The boundaries between our two municipalities are multiple and depend on where you are. If you follow the coastal path, you will be on neighboring land once you have crossed the Bandolese beach of Engraviers. If you walk the Bandol Classic, the Frégate Golf Club which you will pass by will already be in Saint-Cyr. And finally, if you take the D559, locally called “route de Saint-Cyr”, the bakery and the greengrocer on the right side of the road will be your landmarks. So, if you stop to buy some wonders from them, you will be in the neighboring town.
️ Good to know : to get an idea of the distance, from the tourist office of Bandol to that of Saint-Cyr-sur-mer count approximately 11 km, or 18 minutes car.
What are the market days in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer?
What would a Provençal town be without its markets ? After all, they are the identity of our region. Between the sunny color of the tomatoes, the salty scents of the day's catch and the voices of the merchants rising in the air, here are shows that will delight all your senses. So, just like Bandol, Saint-Cyr-sur-mer also has beautiful markets.
First of all, if you are looking for a good goat cheese and sunny vegetables for your lunch, go to farmers' market and that of local producers. The first is held on Tuesdays and Fridays and the second, every Thursday. What they have in common: flavors, good humor and location, namely, Place Gabriel Péri.
On Sunday, however, in the parking lot of the square, you will not only find pretty things to taste. Household linens, clothes, flowers and so on, food and craft traders all meet at the weekly market from the city.
Three meetings, three ways to get lost in Provence, all held at a single time: in the morning, from approximately 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
🌞 Good to know : in summer, new markets appear. Feet in the water, nocturnal or gourmet, the stalls unpack their treasures to the great pleasure of summer visitors. Click here to know everything.
WHAT ARE THE BEACHES IN saint-cyr-SUR-MER?
We must admit, it is not just our Bandolese beaches that make the Var coast shine. Saint-Cyr-sur-mer indeed has some great offerings up its sleeve. One of them even has hit tunes from the 60s… If we say “On the abandoned beach”, would you answer “ shellfish and crustaceans » ? No more suspense, from Bandol, here are all the neighboring beaches that you can come across:
- The cove of Alon Harbor : the dream stopover for your hike. Located on the coastal path, this mini cove has all the makings of a great one. Crystal clear waters, rich seabed and plenty of space to lay your towel. To get there, you can go by car or on foot following the flagship walk from Bandol.
- The beach of trap : this is located at the eastern end of the town, which makes it your arrival point after having followed the paths of the coastal path. It is in this legendary corner of the Var that you will find a village within the city with charming residential areas, a small port, shops and of course, a very beautiful sandy beach.
- The beach of Lecques : the biggest. With its 1,5 km of shoreline, it is a favorite place for locals and vacationers. It is also the place of residence of our colleagues, the Saint-Cyr-sur-mer tourist office. On site, you will find several children's play areas, very good tested and approved restaurants and beautiful shops. The perfect location for a lazy day or an impromptu snack.
🚗 Good to know : the three beaches have very practical parking lots. That said, they can quickly get crowded in the middle of the summer season. So make sure you get there early!
WHERE TO WALK IN Saint-Cyr-SUR-MER?
What is fantastic about Saint-Cyr is the variety of its landscapes. So, walking on these lands means navigating between azure sea, fields of vines and arid zone. In any case, superb panoramas await you.
Still from Bandol, in order, the first walk is located between our two towns. A sort of shared custody for the best. This is of course the coastal path. From the Bandolais port, you will have approximately 12 km (one way) of playground. Sandy beach, local forest, sea views and ocher cliffs, prepare your camera, because you will be amazed!
The second walk is none other than the vineyard trail. This is an alternative to the coastal path, a shortened version which allows you to reach the bus stop “Le Viguier” and thus travel fewer kilometers. His departure is at the bottom of the parking lot from the Port d'Alon cove. You will have to follow the signs, cross some wine fields and follow the road to reach the end. A walk of around 1 hour, practical and quite nice!
The third walk is atypical to say the least. Did you know ? Several centuries ago, when the coastal pines were not yet so tall, the mistral had an unfortunate tendency to bite the sand of Madrague beach. As the years go by, a natural dune formed, making the hill located upstream of the bay the favorite playground of children and the panoramic view favorite of parents. A curious place known to all the locals where it is good to get lost for family walks of two hours or more.
WHAT TO DO IN Saint-Cyr-SUR-MER?
We can not emphasize this enough : no, the beach is not the only interest of the coastal towns of the Var and yes, these can be visited all year round. Let's stop with this false belief that the South can only be experienced in summer! On the contrary, the municipalities of our region have the advantage of transforming themselves. The colors of the landscapes change according to the seasons, the light on the Mediterranean waves also varies and of course, the activities are renewed. To prove it to you, here is a non-exhaustive list of leisure activities to enjoy in Saint-Cyr-sur-mer, in all seasons:
- Explore the Provençal markets.
- Spend a day at Aqualand.
- Discover the AOC Bandol vineyards.
- Play a game with friends at Frigate Golf Club.
- Walk the coastal path and cool off in a bar at Madrague.
- Visit the Tauroentum museum or the Ancienne Caprerie.
- Have a drink on the terrace on the village square, in the shade of a plane tree.
- Make a tile on the pétanque court.
- Ride the wave in one of the city's spots.
- Go see a film at the Cinema.
- Take a brunch with a sea view on the edge of Lecques beach.
- Take advantage of Alsatian market autumn.
- Relaxing on the deckchair on a private beach.
💡 Need more itinerary ideas in the surrounding area ? Discover our holiday ideas to enjoy alone, as a couple or as a family, in all seasons!
HOW DO I GET TO saint-cyr-SUR-MER FROM BANDOL?
Together we will decipher all the solutions to get you to Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer from the port of Bandol. This way, it will be easier for you to choose the option that suits you best. Let's go !
- Walking : you have undoubtedly understood by reading this article, the coastal path is the preferred access for athletes. 12 km of dirt roads, approximately 3 hours of walking to the port of La Madrague, this is the most pleasant option, but also the most sensible. In fact, some locals will tell you that you can easily follow the main road or take other unmarked trails. For our part, we will tell you that these options are neither official, nor secure, nor sometimes even public (some paths may cross private property). Only one walking route is therefore to be retained, that of the coast.
- By bus : thanks to the line 880. This starts from the Œnothèque des vins de Bandol, at the end of our Quai Charles de Gaulle. In less than 20 minutes, you can get off at the “Le Lavoir” stop and enjoy the city center of Saint-Cyr. Be careful, there are very few buses, so remember to check the timetables before leaving. To consult them, click here.
- By train : the Marseille – Toulon – Hyères line, stops in small stations of the coast, including those of Bandol and Saint-Cyr-sur-mer. Trains run every day of the year, approximately two per hour. Convenient for moving freely, from 6 a.m. to 22 p.m. and being in Saint-Cyr in less than 10 minutes. That said, its station is a little outside the city center. Allow around 30 minutes of walking (2,5 km) to connect the two.
- By car : the most comfortable solution ( 5 minutes are enough), but not necessarily the easiest. You will need to find a place to park upon arrival. Although usually this is not a very complicated thing thanks to the different parking lots available, in summer it can be more difficult. Our advice is therefore to opt for public transport as much as possible.
🚗 Good to know : a carpooling area is accessible in Bandol, at the toll exit. Most aficionados of Blablacar use it. Why not you ?
WHY CHOOSE BANDOL FOR YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY IN THE VAR?
Because it is a little paradise ideally located between Var and Bouches-du-Rhône, between Provence and the Mediterranean, between nature and the urban. Booking your vacation rental in Bandol means enjoying a city on a human scale, where everything can be done on foot. It's the pleasure of going down to the port to have your coffee on the terrace, it's the happiness of having the time to enjoy an impromptu swim in crystal clear waters between two activities, it's the chance to live, even for a few days, a few meters from a superb coastal path.
Bandol is all that. There friendliness of a village on the edge of the Mediterranean and the beauty of the Var landscapes, all linked to several large cities on the coast. Want to go take a look at Mucem in Marseille or take a walk in the Calanques National Park in Cassis? 30 minutes by train is enough. Would you rather visit the hilltop villages of the hinterland? The wine estates of theAOC Bandol or the medieval town of Castellet are 15 minutes away by car. Are you dreaming of an escape to island lands? The islands of embiez, Porquerolles and Port-Cros are easily accessible for a heavenly day.
You will have understood, all desires are imaginable, all explorations are possible, all the treasures of the Var and Marseille are accessible just a few minutes by train or car. Ideal for spending a busy day before returning peacefully to your apartment or holiday home in Bandol. The joys of a village atmosphere combined with the grandeur of the surrounding discoveries, this is why you should choose Bandol as a base for your summer vacation.
✅ So, don't wait any longer, and book your next stay in paradise:
