Today, we are going to tell you about a small town in the Var that is still too little known for our taste. Located only thirty minutes from our beautiful port of Bandol, it welcomes you all year round, both locals and holidaymakers, to transport you to the Provence of yesteryear. Head for a village combining nature, heritage and crafts, head for Signes!
Summary:
- Where is Signes?
- The Siou Blanc plateau in Signes
- What are the market days in Signes?
- What to do in Signes?
- How do I get to Signes from Bandol?
- Why choose Bandol for my next vacation in the Var?
Where is Signes?
Signes is located in the west of Var and more precisely in north of our urban community Provence Sud Sainte Baume. This small village of just over 3 inhabitants is nevertheless 000 times larger than Bandol. How is this possible? Thanks to the mountain ranges that surround it, particularly that of Sainte Baume and the Siou Blanc plateau.
Well known to locals for its industrial zone, a huge economic vector for the region, this Provençal commune is also renowned for being one of the favorite spots for paraglidersIt must be said that the nearby hills are ideal for take-off and the Signois fields are perfect for landing.
The city center is charming. Typical cobbled streets, old houses with stone walls (some of which are listed) without forgetting the unmissable monuments of yesteryear (church, witches' fountain, chapel, etc.), walking around the village is like A journey through time and a disconnection from the big cities. If you venture there, stop at the Fouque confectionery, the undisputed masters of nougat!
The Siou Blanc plateau with signs
You are lover of hiking and beautiful walks outdoors? We have what you need. Finally, the natural heritage of Signes, rather, has routes that should please you. And it is more precisely on the plateau of Siou White. This massif, also called "Massif des Morières" peaks at more than 800 m above sea level (not bad for the region) and offers you 8 trails ranging from an hour and a half of walking to more than six hours. So there's something to do for all levels.
Among the best known, we can cite the Cyclopibus circuit adored by amateur speleologists, that of Valbelle Needles and their exceptional panorama of these geological formations, without forgetting of course the circuit of the Elephant whose name comes from the animal-shaped rocks visible all along the trail.
To find out more about all the hiking routes, you can consult the site of our territory, South Provence Sainte Baume by clicking here.
What are the market days in Signes?
À signs, you will have the opportunity to walk the aisles of not one, but two markets. The first is the one that is held every week, on Thursdays to be precise, on Place Marcel Pagnol. Weekly market of the village, you can find something to tickle your taste buds. Seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheeses, honey... and other Provençal specialties are always there.
The second market is that of the region's producers. The latter is held on Sunday mornings, in the heart of the village. Here, artisans are kings and offer you their nuggets, both gourmet and creative. The perfect place to stock up on Var know-how!
What to do in Signes?
We grant you: strolling through charming cobbled streets and walking along wooded paths are already two interesting activities for a great day. But if you feel like extending your discovery of the city or if walking is not your thing, here are other leisure ideas for the whole family…
- Getting started with trout fishing , Gapeau sources fish farming.
- Prepare magic potions while admiring the Witches' Fountain.
- Watch the sunset from the summit of Siou Blanc.
- Satisfy your sweet tooth at the Fouque confectionery.
- Follow the oratories walk to the chapel of the Old Castle.
- Visit the goats of Biquet des Meaulnes and come back with some good cheese.
- Attend the fall concerts with eclectic styles.
- Enjoy an ice cream in the shade of a plane tree.
- Fly away with a paragliding baptism.
- Discover Provençal wonders at the famous Santons Fair from the city.
- Go get some local scrubland honey at the Beaussières Beehive.
- Enjoy the gentle way of life in this typical Provencal village.
💡 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 Signes from Bandol?
Let’s decipher together all the solutions to get to Signes from the port of Bandol. This way, it will be easier for you to choose the option that suits you best. Let's go !
✨ NEW SUMMER 2025 ✨
Du 5 July at 31 August 2025, the Esti'Bus lines take you straight to the villages and tourist spots in our city South Provence Sainte Baume. Routes and timetables for these can be found here: Esti'Bus 1 et Esti'Bus 2.
- By bus : although it is the most ecological solution, it is far from being the easiest. If you decide to go by coach to Signes, you will first have to go to Castellet with line 880. This leaves from the Casino de Jeux de Bandol, located at the end of the quay. You will have to get off at the “Le Plan” stop and take the bus 888 to the “Gare routière” in Signes. Allow approximately 1 hour 30 minutes for the journey. For more information, click here.
- By train + bus : the other option is to alternate between train and bus. To do this, take the TER towards Toulon train station. From there, walk 2/3 minutes to the nearby bus station and get on the bus 888 to the “Gare routière” in Signes. Allow approximately 1 hour 45 minutes for the journey. For more information, click here.
- By car : the most comfortable and simple solution! Thirty minutes are enough to reach this village. It may not be the most ecological option, but for now, it is the one we recommend to all our visitors for its freedom and ease.
???? 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. 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:
