Farmland, a historic city and creative talents, Le Castellet is a city that you absolutely must visit during your holidays in Bandol. In this article, we give you all the information you need to fully enjoy this pearl of the Var region. Where to go, what to do, what to see and how to get there, we tell you everything! After Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, Sanary-sur-Mer et the Cadière d'Azur, let’s set sail for the fourth stop in our series, zooming in on Le Castellet.
Summary:
- Where is Le Castellet?
- The medieval village of Castellet
- The Paul Ricard Circuit
- The gourmet restaurant of the Hôtel & Spa du Castellet
- What is the market day in Castellet?
- What to do in Castellet?
- How do I get to Le Castellet from Bandol?
- Why choose Bandol for my next vacation in the Var?
Where is Le Castellet?
The commune of Castellet is a hilltop village in the Var, located in the Provence Sud Sainte Baume region, approximately 15 minutes drive from Bandol. This town like no other is made up of no less than 5 hamlets: Plan du Castellet, Sainte-Anne du Castellet, Brûlat, Camp du Castellet and of course, Castellet village. If the first three are rather small Provençal villages lost in the middle of the AOC Bandol vineyards, the last two are a little more special.
Camp du Castellet is a plateau located between Marseille and Toulon on which Paul Ricard invested in order to develop, firstly, the largest aerodrome in the area and, secondly, a unique automobile circuit.
Le Castellet-village as for it is a historical site, witness to the medieval past of the region with impeccably preserved ramparts and exceptional panoramas. If you take the motorway to come and spend your holidays in Bandol, you have a good chance of observing it from your car. This fast road separates the charming village from La Cadière d'Azur of our medieval city. To distinguish them, remember this: if La Cadière is easily recognized by its bell tower which marks the highest point of the town, Le Castellet, he, is identifiable by its stone walls perched on the hill opposite.
The medieval village of Castellet
As we were saying, our territory has many historical remains that we will develop through this series " Focus on our neighbors "And the medieval city of Castellet stands out among them all. Adored by locals and holidaymakers alike, it happily combines the majesty of theancient architecture, to the modern creativity of regional artisans, to breathtaking landscapes from around.
So, this medieval village is a must-see visit to make during your stay with us. You will enjoy wandering through the alleys rich in anecdotes, admire the historical monuments like the church dating from the 12th century and you will escape thanks to the views offered by the openings in the ramparts which will broaden your horizon sometimes towards the sea, sometimes towards the vineyards and sometimes towards the Sainte-Baume massif.
So, this medieval village is a must-see visit to make during your stay with us. You will enjoy wandering through the alleys rich in anecdotes, admire the historical monuments like the church dating from the 12th century and you will escape thanks to the views offered by the openings in the ramparts which will broaden your horizon sometimes towards the sea, sometimes towards the vineyards and sometimes towards the Sainte-Baume massif.
A direct dive into the legends of our Provençal lands, coupled with a discovery of the talents of local creators, all in an authentic atmosphere... Welcome to the village of Castellet.
🌶️ Good to know : just like La Cadière d'Azur, the medieval town of Castellet is one of the Character Villages of Var. A recognition awarded to those who, in addition to possessing a certain Provençal charm, have a story to tell, an experience to make their visitors live. To discover all the certified destinations, click here.
The Paul Ricard circuit
The Castellet circuit, or “ Paul Ricard Circuit » is located in Plan du Castellet, the northernmost hamlet of the commune. It was here that in 1962, Paul Ricard began building the largest private aerodrome in the region. The idea of creating a racing circuit then germinated and the project was completed in just ten months. In less than a year, a 5 km track was born, including the famous Mistral straight, 1 meters long. The circuit officially opened its doors on April 800, 19.
Fifty years later, the Paul Ricard Circuit remains a reference in the world of motor sports. Not only has it hosted for years the Formula 1 French Grand Prix and still receives today the legendary Bol d'Or, as well as other car, motorcycle and truck competitions. Not to mention of course events such as foot races and cycling events. The site also offers leisure activities for all ages in its Xtrem Park.
A great place for days with friends or family, exploring motorsports or watching professional racers battle for first place!
The gourmet restaurant of the Hôtel & Spa du Castellet
There is one that has made noise in recent months, and this, thanks to the exploits of its chef... It must be said that in addition to winning its three stars in one go, Fabien Ferré grabbed the title of youngest triple star in the history of the Michelin Guide! A feat that attests to both the undisputed talent of the region and the hard work of an entire team.
So, during your Var vacation in Bandol, treat yourself to this pleasure and go and taste exceptional dishes at The Castellet Table, the restaurant of the sublime Hotel & Spa du Castellet*****. A word of advice: remember to book well in advance, at the same time as your stay!
To read more on this must-see restaurant, click here:
What is the market day in Castellet?
Let's stay on a gourmet register, to return to the roots of Provençal cuisine, the markets. In Castellet, this one is held every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 13 p.m. on the Herrischried square in Plan du Castellet. Here, local producers come together to dazzle your eyes and amaze your taste buds. A great way to consume local, fresh and seasonal products.
On this square, you can find in particular: vegetables from Saint-Cyr-sur-mer, Tamaris shells, Beausset saffron, Cadière d'Azur goat cheeses, Bandol wines, spirulina from Hyères, roast chicken from Castellet and even a regional fishing stand.
What to do in Castellet?
Even though visiting the medieval city is an activity in itself, it is not the only way to enjoy this hilltop village in Provence Sud Sainte Baume. To give you some ideas, here is a non-exhaustive list tested, approved and recommended leisure activities:
- Visit the Bandol Wine House.
- Make a mini road trip on the roads crossing the vineyards.
- Buy olive oil at the La Castellane olive cooperative.
- Savor the delights of the Honey house of the Oratory in Sainte-Anne du Castellet.
- Buy a few good bottles in a AOC Bandol domain.
- Go see a car race at the Paul Ricard circuit.
- Sit at the Table du Castellet and enjoy a Michelin-starred menu.
- Experience the sensations of free fall at Xtrem Park at the Plan du Castellet.
- Working on your agility in Tree Climbing park in the Kingdom of Trees.
- Fly in a microlight from the Plan du Castellet aerodrome.
- Eating ice cream in the shade of a mulberry tree in the heart of the medieval village.
- Explore the Arts Journey proposed by the Tourist Office.
- Take the most beautiful photos from the surrounding area from the city walls.
- Admire historical monuments that have stood the test of time.
- Simply enjoy Provence and its Dolce Vita.
💡 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 Le Castellet from Bandol?
Let's decipher together all the solutions to get to Le Castellet from the port of Bandol. This way, it will be easier for you to choose the option that suits you best. Let's 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 15 minutes, you can get off at the “Le Plan” stop. And this will be the only part of the town that you can reach by bus unfortunately. However, there are a few wine estates in the surrounding area and can be reached on foot. To check the bus timetable, click here.
- By car : the most comfortable solution (15 minutes is enough) and the simplest! If you want to visit the medieval village, two car parks will be at your disposal. The first is at the foot of the ramparts, on your left when you arrive. The second is a little higher and will be indicated on your right, just after the first.
???? 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:
