In Bandol, we are lucky. That of living in a small seaside town on the Var coast with a peaceful and authentic atmosphere. That of getting up every morning facing the sea. And also that of being a few minutes from a charming Provençal hinterland. In this series of articles, we wish to highlight these gems of our South Sainte Baume territory. After Sanary-sur-Mer et Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, the discovery continues towards the picturesque village of Cadière d'Azur.
Summary:
- Where is La Cadière d’Azur located?
- When is the market day in La Cadière d'Azur?
- Where to walk in La Cadière d’Azur?
- Where to taste AOC Bandol wine in La Cadière d’Azur?
- What to do at La Cadière d’Azur?
- How do I get to La Cadière d’Azur from Bandol?
- Why choose Bandol for my next vacation in the Var?
Where is La Cadière d’Azur located?
La Cadière d’Azur, proud representative of Character Villages of Var, is located about fifteen minutes by car from Bandol. To get there, it's very simple: follow the areas of the AOC Bandol appellation. And yes, because in addition to its Provençal soul, the town is lost in the vineyard fields which make our region famous. At the entrance to the town, you will also find the cooperative La Cadiérenne who sets the tone!
Here, around 6 inhabitants live all year round in a Jean de Florette atmosphere. Some of you may have difficulty differentiating Cadière d'Azur from its neighbor, Castellet. So to find your way, remember this: the first is recognizable by its bell tower, the highest point in the village; and the other with its ramparts, witnesses of its medieval past.
Finally, although the village of Cadière d'Azur sits on a hill, the town extends over more than 37 km of nature and vineyards. This tells you the terrain of exploration that awaits you!
(I.e. The historic minute : the southern territory of the Sainte-Baume massif is a mecca of history. On these lands, archaeological excavations have revealed many objects from the past. And it is at the House of Terroir and Heritage of Cadière d'Azur where these treasures are permanently exhibited (prehistoric, Gallo-Roman objects, fossils, etc.).
What is the market day at Cadière d’Azur?
The weekly market of Cadière d'Azur is held every Thursday of the year. Thus, from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 13 p.m., Place Jean Jaurès is transformed into a Provençal postcard. Here, local producers offer you: seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheeses, cold meats, cosmetics and even delicacies to enjoy on site or to take away.
All this, in a setting smelling of thyme and rosemary, in the cobbled streets of the city center, a few steps from the bell tower ringing every hour. The ideal opportunity to discover the gastronomic treasures of the region, while strolling on this charming hill.
🚗 Good to know : if on market day, vehicles are prohibited in the city center, the adjoining parking lots are free. A good excuse to discover the hidden corners of Cadière d'Azur before heading off to do your shopping!
Where to walk in Cadière d’Azur?
Let's start with what makes the identity of Cadière d'Azur, its Provençal history. To do this, head to the Maison du Terroir et du Patrimoine. Here, a map with all the key points is available. Once it is in your hands, launch an assault on the village's past. On your route, you will come across ancient gates dating from the Middle Ages, streets steeped in history and even an old feudal castle.
For those who are looking for pretty views, nothing better than the terroir of AOC Bandol Wines! Loops starting from the village cross the vineyard fields to reach superb panoramas. Some reveal unsuspected views of the surrounding bays. Several routes are available to you: the Fontanieu fountain walk, the route Fontanieu – Pibarnon – Saint Côme or, the Défends Loop.
Finally, if your thing is more Var flora, the forest and botanical trail is what you need. On the program: an hour surrounded by nature to discover Mediterranean vegetation thanks to educational panels. Without forgetting, of course, very beautiful views of the Sainte Baume massif and the neighboring town, Saint-Cyr-sur-mer.
Our tip : go without hesitation to the Maison du Terroir et du Patrimoine. In addition to providing very good advice, you will find maps of the different trails on site.
Where to taste AOC Bandol wine at Cadière d’Azur?
From everywhere, of course! We told you above, the village is lost in the vineyard fields of the Bandolese appellation. On your route, you will inevitably come across at least one Domaine open to the public, the cooperative La Cadiérenne (at the entrance to the village) or quite simply small village bars. So, whether you are more adventurous in meeting the producers, an initiated buyer at the local cellar or a simple rosé lover with ice cubes on the terrace of a shaded café, Bandol Wines will be found everywhere!
And if you want to accompany you, again, it is possible. Wine tourism providers take you to discover the AOC Bandol vineyards all year round. In addition to tastings, explanations, advice and magical points of view are always there. To discover them, click here.
???? PS : we can only advise you to consult our article dedicated to the discovery of the exceptional wines of our region, “ Visit an AOC Bandol wine estate ».
What to do at Cadière d’Azur?
Although we love it, tasting locally produced wine is far from the only activity to enjoy in this beautiful Provençal village. So, to give you some ideas, here is a non-exhaustive list tested, approved and recommended leisure activities:
- Discover the story of the village thanks to dedicated route.
- Buy wine from the local cooperative La Cadiérenne.
- Savor the olive oils of the region in the wine and olive fields.
- Stroll through the cobbled and shaded streets of the city center.
- Stroll through the village and on the hiking trails around.
- Go through the doors of the shops to take advantage of local crafts.
- Play a game of pétanque at the village bowling alley.
- Follow the cycle routes to discover the vast territory of La Cadière by bike.
- Browse the stalls at the weekly market.
- visit religious heritage of the village.
- Make the most of the the archaeological exhibition of the House of Terroir and Heritage.
- Have a drink on the terrace on Place Jean Jaurès (village square).
- Admire the panorama from the orientation table.
💡 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 La Cadière d’Azur from Bandol?
Let's decipher together all the solutions to get to La Cadière d'Azur from the port of Bandol. This way, it will be easier for you to choose the option that suits you best. Here we go!
- By bus : thanks to line 880. This starts from the Œnothèque des vins de Bandol, at the end of our Charles de Gaulle quay. In less than 30 minutes, you can get off at the “Chemin des Baumes” stop, walk for around ten minutes and enjoy the Cadière d’Azur. Be careful, there are very few buses, so remember to check the timetables before leaving. To consult them, click here.
- By car : the most comfortable solution (15 minutes is enough), but not necessarily the simplest. You will need to find a place to park upon arrival. If usually this is not a very complicated thing thanks to the different parking lots available, in summer it can be more tricky. 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 Blablacar aficionados use it. Why not you?
Why choose Bandol for my next vacation in the Var?
Because it is a little paradise ideally located between the 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 city 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:
