If we say castle, peony and climbing in the Var, what do you think of? Different cities? Several different spots scattered throughout the department? Well no, you are wrong. These three treasures of culture and nature are all found in the same place, in the same village, only twenty minutes by car from Bandol. Discover Évenos, the town with a thousand and one facets.
Summary:
- Where is Evenos?
- Journey into the past: discovery of Nèbre
- The hike from the belvedere to Mont Caume
- Climbing and caving: a village in relief
- What is the market day in Evenos?
- What to do in Evenos?
- How do I get to Évenos from Bandol?
- Why choose Bandol for my next vacation in the Var?
Where is Evenos?
Evenos is a charming village of the Var hinterland, located just behind the coastal town of Sanary-sur-Mer. This commune of nearly 2 inhabitants called Ébrosiens and Ébrosiennes, is made up of 400 hamlets: the old village of Évenos called " Negro » Sainte-Anne and Broussan.
If we had to give an adjective to each of them, we could say that:
- Negro is the witness HISTORY from the village;
- Sainte-Anne is the hamlet principal of the municipality;
- Broussan is the giant with Mont Caume, the highest peak in Toulon.
Most locals know this village well for at least one of two reasons: its peony festival and the Ollioules gorges that take you there. The first is therefore a flowery event, specific to Évenos. Indeed, the peony is one of the privileged agricultures of the town which celebrates its flower every year in May. The opportunity to bring back pretty bouquets directly from the producers and to discover a whole range of activities and products around this beauty.
The second reason, more geological if we can say, is simply spectacular. To admire these famous Ollioules gorges, you can either drive there, or linger longer to climb its cliffs… But we'll tell you more about all that a little further in this article !
Journey into the past: discovery of Nèbre
We told you above, "Nèbre" is the old village of Évenos. The main city centre of yesteryear, where markets, demonstrations and knight parades took place in the Middle Ages. Don't worry, you don't need to watch period films to see what it all looked like: you just have to go there!
Indeed, Evenos is well known for his castle, proudly enthroned at the top of Nèbre. A short stroll of a few minutes will take you there. Here, a cape and sword atmosphere awaits you with breathtaking views of the surroundings. A good activity idea for the whole family… Believe us, children love walking through the ruins of this historic monument.
Once you have admired the view, do not miss the village itself which is simply picturesque and charming. A sublime church seems to be placed there, on the side of cliffs. The houses are adorned with beautiful stones. And the streets, as for them, breathe the scent of Provençal flowers in spring. A delight to visit for a few hours, in order to shelter from the summer heatwave or to enjoy a winter outing like no other.
The hike from the belvedere to Mont Caume
How can we talk about Evenos without mentioning the peak that makes it famous among local walkers: Mont Caume. Highest peak in Toulon with an altitude of 800 meters all the same, its interest, besides the forest path which guarantees you a breath of fresh air, is its breathtaking view over the entire bay of Toulon.
Toulon summit, view of Toulon… But all this has nothing to do with Evenos?! Well, not quite. To get to the top, you can take the belvedere path. And imagine that it starts (as if by chance) in the village of Évenos. So that's the reason for this paragraph! To start this hike of about 15 km (round trip), you will have to go to the Col du Corps de Garde, in Broussan.
That said, be careful before you start, this hike is reserved for seasoned athletes. Its route is described as "difficult" and you will need to count about 6 hours, or a good day of walking to go there and back. Good shoes, a bottle of water, sunscreen and knowledge of the route are essential.
Climbing and caving: a village in relief
After the summits, head for the cliffs and caves of Evenos. If you are a climbing enthusiast and for you the "grigri" has nothing to do with a lucky charm, the famous Ollioules gorges that we told you about just before should interest you. These form what local climbers call " The Destel ". The particularity of this massif is its exposure: southwest on the right bank for guaranteed sunshine all year round, and rather north on the left bank for appreciable shade in the middle of summer. Here, you can explore a huge playground of nearly 500 routes, ranging from 5b to 7a. To learn more about this, check out our dedicated page !
And for those who prefer mysteries hidden underground, here is something that should please you. In Sainte-Anne d'Évenos is located the Foux cave, surrounded by mysteries and legends. Located on the road to Nèbre, it stretches for 500 meters before reaching a siphon. In the past, its water flowed continuously, but its flow disappeared several decades ago, for no apparent reason. In 2007, speleologists carried out explorations to understand this lost source… Although it is closed to the public for obvious security reasons, you can still admire their adventure immortalized in a 42-minute documentary, “ Once upon a time there was the Foux of Sainte-Anne d'Evenos ».
What is the market day in Evenos?
All Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from April to October, Sainte-Anne d'Évenos hosts its market. It is held on the village square in a friendly atmosphere. You can find fruits, vegetables, cheeses, honey and other Provençal specialties. It is the ideal place to savor local products. An authentic moment to share in the heart of Provence!
🍅 To know every market day in our territory, Direction the site of Provence Sud Sainte Baume !
What to do in Evenos?
It is true that we have already revealed quite a few activities to do in this beautiful Var village… But, just in case, here are a recap with some additional ideas for your next vacation with us:
- Strolling in the Mont Caume massif.
- Take height on the Destel climbing routes.
- Travel the winding road of the Gorges d'Ollioules.
- Watch the documentary from the “Foux” cave.
- Stroll through the cobbled streets of the old village.
- Visit the ruins of an ancient medieval castle.
- Treat yourself to a moment of holiness at the Saint-Martin church.
- Bring back beautiful flowers on the occasion of the peony festival.
- Enjoy a glass of wine in one of the AOC Bandol estates in the commune.
- Enjoy the freshness old buildings of Nèbre.
💡 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 to get to Evenos from Bandol?
Let’s decipher together all the solutions to get to Évenos 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 : although it is the most ecological solution, it is far from being the easiest. If you decide to go by coach to Evenos, you will first have to go to Beausset 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 “Halte Routiere Laurent Blanc” stop and take the bus 888 to “Sainte-Anne”, in Évenos. 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 “Sainte-Anne”, in Évenos. Allow about 1 hour for the journey. For more information, click here.
- By car : the most comfortable and simple solution! Twenty minutes are enough to arrive in 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:
